3 APRA HARBOR, Guam (May 25, 2021) – The submarine tender USS Emory S. Land (AS 39) conducted a change of command ceremony aboard the ship, May 25.
Capt. Andrew Ring, from Wilmore, Kansas, relieved Capt. Michael Luckett, from Banning, California, as Land’s commanding officer during the ceremony.
“I have been privileged and honored to serve as your captain, leading this incredibly talented and skilled hybrid crew of Sailors and civilian mariners,” said Luckett. “Through all of these ups and downs, you’ve always done your duty with honor trusting the shipmate to your left and to your right, being professionals taking care of the ship and your shipmates, and living up to the heritage and traditions of the tender Sailors who’ve gone before you. Thank you all for your energy, dedication, and teamwork.”
Rear Adm. Ollie Lewis is a native of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and a 1991 cum laude graduate from Boston University with a degree in Mathematics. During his career, he earned a master’s degree in Engineering Management from Catholic University of America, completed the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Seminar XXI, and was designated as a Joint Qualified Officer.
His operational tours include USS Montpelier (SSN 765); USS Pittsburgh (SSN 720); and USS Newport News (SSN 750). He commanded USS San Juan (SSN 751) and served as the commodore of Submarine Squadron Twelve in Groton, Connecticut.
Ashore, he served as executive assistant to the Chief of Naval Operations, executive secretary to the Secretary of Defense, division chief for Joint Staff, Program and Budget Analysis, Prospective Commanding Officer instructor for the Submarine Command Course, as well as an appropriations matters adviser on the Joint Staff, squadron material officer for Commander, Submarine Squadron Eight, an
Rear Adm. Ollie Lewis is a native of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and a 1991 cum laude graduate from Boston University with a degree in Mathematics. During his career, he earned a master’s degree in Engineering Management from Catholic University of America, completed the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Seminar XXI, and was designated as a Joint Qualified Officer.
His operational tours include USS Montpelier (SSN 765); USS Pittsburgh (SSN 720); and USS Newport News (SSN 750). He commanded USS San Juan (SSN 751) and served as the commodore of Submarine Squadron Twelve in Groton, Connecticut.
Ashore, he served as executive assistant to the Chief of Naval Operations, executive secretary to the Secretary of Defense, division chief for Joint Staff, Program and Budget Analysis, Prospective Commanding Officer instructor for the Submarine Command Course, as well as an appropriations matters adviser on the Joint Staff, squadron material officer for Commander, Submarine Squadron Eight, an
Farmington native, Capt. Balagna, Commanding Officer, Gold Crew, USS Ohio
Canton Daily Ledger
A native of Farmington, Captain Kurt Balagna enlisted in the Navy in April 1992 as a Nuclear Electronics Technician. In 1997, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Nuclear Engineering at the University of Illinois and received his commission through the ROTC scholarship program.
Following initial nuclear power and submarine training, he reported to USS Kentucky (SSBN 737) (Blue) in Kings Bay, Georgia where he completed five strategic deterrent patrols. He subsequently served as a Tactics and Target Motion Analysis instructor at Naval Submarine School in Groton, Connecticut.
Captain Balagna reported to USS Hawaii (SSN 776) as the vessel’s first Combat Systems Officer and member of the commissioning crew. While HAWAII was undergoing new construction, he deployed to the USCENTCOM area of responsibility aboard USS Annapolis (SSN 760).
Vice Adm. Jeff Hughes is a native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and a 1988 graduate of Duke University with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering. He graduated with distinction from the Naval War College in 2008 receiving a Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies.
He was designated a naval aviator in September 1989 and has flown MH-60R and SH-60B Seahawk helicopters throughout his career.
Hughes’ operational assignments include initial squadron and detachment officer-in-charge/department head tours with the Swamp Foxes of Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Light (HSL) 44 where he deployed on USS Carr (FFG 52), USS Elrod (FFG 55) and USS John Hancock (DD 981), supporting Strike Group deployments with the USS America (CV-66) and USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67). He was named HSL-44 Pilot of the Year and was the co-recipient of the Commanding Officer s Helmsman Award for calendar year (CY) 1993. He served as the flag lieutenant to Commander, Carrier Group 4, whe