Submarine Group Two Public Affairs
 
USS New Mexico Changes Commanders
 
GROTON, Conn. - Cmdr. Mark Prokopius will turn over command of Virginia-class attack submarine USS New Mexico (SSN 779) to Cmdr. George Perez in a change of command ceremony at Naval Submarine Base New London's Shepherd of the Sea chapel on Friday, Oct. 15  at 10 a.m.
 
During Prokopius' tour as commanding officer, New Mexico completed the final stages of new construction, sea trials, In-Service inspection and was commissioned as the fifth
Cmdr. Prokopius
submarine in the Virginia class. Prokopius, native of Seven Hills, Ohio, kept New Mexico and her crew on the leading edge, becoming the first Virginia-class submarine to be fully-certified in all tactical war fighting areas during Weapons System Acceptance Testing.
 
Prokopius will next serve as the Deputy for Training at Submarine Squadron Six.
 
Perez, a native of Corpus Christi, Texas, previously served as Combat Systems Officer aboard USS Montpelier (SSN 765) and Executive Officer aboard USS Rhode Island (SSBN 740) Blue. He also commanded the Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) in eastern Afghanistan's Nuristan Province, where he served with both the 101st and 82nd Airborne Divisions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.  Perez most recently served as the Current Operations Officer, Navy Region Southeast.
 
The scheduled guest speaker for the event is Rear Adm. Michael McLaughlin, Commander
Cdmr. Perez
Submarine Group 2.
 
Editors: Media interested in attending the change of command MUST notify Submarine Group 2 Public Affairs at (860) 694-5683 no later than noon on Thursday, Oct. 14.  Submarine Group 2 Public Affairs will meet media at the event site no later than 9:30 a.m. Friday, Oct. 15.
 
- USN -
 
 
 
 
 
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CSG2 CrestAbout Submarine Group Two
Commander Submarine Group Two (COMSUBGRU TWO) exercises command of North Atlantic attack submarine forces administratively assigned as well as operational control of Atlantic submarine units and other forces when assigned. Responsibile for Submarine Squadrons Two, Four, and Submarine Development Squadron Twelve in Groton as well as Submarine Squadrons Six and Eight in Norfolk, COMSUBGRU TWO also exercises responsibility for the training and certification of new construction and overhaul ships and crews at Electric Boat and Portsmouth Naval Shipyards.

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Submarine Group Two Public Affairs Office
C/O Naval Submarine Base New London
Groton, CT 06349
Phone: (860) 694-5683 or (860) 694-3148
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