Submarine Group 7 Changes Command

By Lt. Lara Bollinger, Submarine Group 7 Public Affairs

YOKOSUKA, Japan (NNS) -- Submarine Group Seven held a change of command ceremony on board Fleet Activities Yokosuka June 6.

During the ceremony, ceremony Capt., and rear admiral-select, Phillip G. Sawyer relieved Rear Adm. Robert L. Thomas, Jr. as commander of CSG 7, who also assumed responsibility as commander of Task Forces 74 and 54.

Vice Adm. Scott R. Van Buskirk, commander, U.S. Seventh Fleet, was the honored guest and key speaker during the ceremony.

In his speech, Van Buskirk commended Thomas for a job well-done in his capacities as CSG 7, CTF 74 and 54.

"Robert has taken all of these difficult jobs and made them look easy," Van Buskirk said. "With the largest area of operations of any in the submarine force, and responsibility for some of the most challenging and sensitive operations our nation's military conducts anywhere, Robert Thomas has excelled in leading his people to tremendous success."

Under Thomas' command CTF 74 and 54 achieved operational success of more than 30 submarine deployments and 45 special submarine missions. As the theater anti-submarine warfare commander for Seventh Fleet, Thomas brought tactical and operational expertise to bear across multiple warfare areas.

Through his leadership during Operation Tomodachi, CSG 7 enabled U.S. operations in an unprecedented radiological environment. Thomas' engagement with important regional allies greatly advanced the combined warfighting capability of the U.S. Navy and allied naval submarine forces.

Thomas expressed his gratitude to his counterparts and mentors in the Japan Maritime Self Defense Forces, and the Sailors, civilians, and families who are a part of what he fondly calls the "tribe".

"Thanks to the tribe - the 200 members of the CTF 74, 54, and Submarine Group Seven command. Our Sailors, our civilians, our families…what you do in the common defense of Japan, and for security in Asia is just not to be beat," Thomas said.

He stated that this change of command ceremony represents renewal.

"[Rear Adm.-select] Sawyer takes command, so we have the renewal of a fresh start today for CTF 74. It's also the renewal of the bright future that we have with our partnership; the U.S. Navy and the Kai Jo Jie Tei. And it's a renewal of the enduring friendships, as I see so many members of the Yokosuka community [here today] as we start out [Sawyer's] command tour," Thomas said.

Thomas will report as vice director for operations, on the joint staff in the Pentagon.

Sawyer, a 1983 graduate of the United States Naval Academy, recently served as vice commander, Naval Mine and Anti-Submarine Warfare Command since July 2010.