PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii - Commander Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet (COMSUBPAC) held a change of command ceremony at the historic submarine piers on Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Feb. 21.

Rear Adm. Blake L. Converse relieved Rear Adm. Daryl L. Caudle as COMSUBPAC and commander, Task Force 134.

Caudle assumed command in September 2017 and oversaw 60 percent of the entire U.S. Navy Submarine Force. This included oversight of the nation’s ballistic missile submarine fleet operating in the Pacific on behalf of U.S. Strategic Command Commander Air Force General John E. Hyten.

"We are blessed with extraordinary levels of talent across our Force," said Caudle. “With such a large talent pool in our Navy, it makes it all the more impressive that our nation’s submariners are truly the best of the best.”

During his tour, Caudle guided the Pacific Submarine Force through 19 attack and guided missile submarine deployments and 26 strategic deterrent patrols in support of combatant commands.

Caudle praised the submarine force and lauded their ability to accomplish their complex mission.

“To execute a strategy with so many challenging goals, supporting objectives, and end states that span across so many areas of responsibility, it takes countless talented and dedicated people who are committed to excellence,” said Caudle. “When a commander is supported by so many talented individuals, it’s impossible within a short period of time to say thank you to each of them with sufficient meaning and gratitude.”

Adm. John C. Aquilino commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet was the guest speaker of the ceremony.

"Sound leadership is easy to talk about but it is quite another thing to execute, and for the past year and a half Daryl [Caudle] has been dedicated to the men and women who serve with him,” said Aquilino.

Aquilino also commended Caudle for his successful tour leading the Pacific Submarine Force and increasing its combat readiness resulting in Caudle receiving a Legion of Merit medal for his exceptionally meritorious service.

Caudle is slated to assume duties as the vice director for Strategy, Plans and Policy, at the Joint Staff in Washington D.C.

As Converse assumed command, he thanked Caudle for a smooth turnover and for leaving him with an experienced staff ready to take on new undersea challenges.

"Over the past two decades we’ve pivoted our Navy’s forces to the Pacific, and now we’re forging a Navy that is laser-focused on the great power competition on the high seas,” said Converse. “This is going to require a clear, shared vision of how we will fight today in the undersea domain, and what that fight will look like in the next 10 years.”

The Pacific submarine force provides anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface ship warfare, precision land strike, intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and early warning and special warfare capabilities to U.S. Indo-Pacific Command and strategic deterrence capabilities to U.S. Strategic Command.