Cmdr. Thomas P. O’Donnell of Slateville, Lynn Township, has served in the Navy for 16 years.

A 2000 U.S. Naval Academy graduate, he recently assumed command of the Los Angeles-Class fast attack submarine, USS Oklahoma City.

Cmdr. Patrick Friedman was relieved by O’Donnell as commanding officer of the USS Oklahoma City in a time honored change of command ceremony Aug. 12 at the submarine piers at Naval Base Point Loma.

“Karen and I are honored and humbled to be given the opportunity to stand at the helm of this awesome warship and take her back to sea in the western Pacific to defend our great nation,” said O’Donnell. “We recognize the sacrifices you and your families make day-in and day-out in order to accomplish this mission.

“You can trust that every day I will do my best to lead the Oklahoma City to success in all we do.”

“As captain, one of my jobs was to make sure the men next to you were ready to do their job,” said Friedman. “It sounds simple when you say it, but in practice it’s a bit more complicated.

“I have been truly blessed to work with some of the finest officers and chiefs in the fleet.

“They are my fire-and-forget missiles. I just point them in the right direction and let them take care of the rest.”