U.S. Navy Cmdr. Robert Low, an Avon native, hands over command of USS Delaware

GROTON, Connecticut — U.S. Navy Cmdr. Robert Low, an Avon native, turned over command of the nuclear-powered fast attack submarine USS Delaware on Thursday (July 11) to Cmdr. Jason Patton in a traditional change-of-command ceremony held pierside at Naval Submarine Base New London in Groton, Connecticut. Low took command of Delaware in August 2022. On Thursday, he praised the crew for their dedication and hard work. "It takes a village," Low said. "Delaware transformed over the last few years from a post-shakedown green-crew to a tried and tested team of crew, chiefs and officers that are ready for all mission areas. We have seen incredible success and have maintained a high level of readiness, providing the NORTHCOM (U.S. Northern Command) commander or EUCOM (U.S. European Command) commander with a ready and capable asset." Low's next duty station will be at the Naval Submarine School in Groton. His previous submarine tours include aboard the USS Key West, USS Bremerton and USS Alabama. He graduated Michigan State University in 2004 with a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering and also has a master's degree in engineering management from Old Dominion University in Virginia, according to his official biography. Capt. Phillip Castellano, commander of Submarine Squadron 12, presided over the ceremony as he praised Low and crew. "Their constant hard work and dedication has been paramount to making Delaware one of the finest submarines in the fleet," Castellano said. "Commander Low built an incredible team that has constantly excelled. His leadership ensured that Delaware remained a deployable, lethal asset that was always ready to answer the nation's call," Castellano said. "The safety of this country relies on our Navy and the submarine force is one of the most crucial assets of our military. It is because of submarines like Delaware that I remain confident in our nation's ability to keep foreign aggressors at bay." Patton briefly spoke during the ceremony, praising Low for "leading the crew to Battle-E (Battle Efficiency award) status during his tour." "I am excited to join this team," Patton said. "Together we will build upon the legacy that is Delaware." Commissioned in April of 2020, Delaware is the seventh U.S. Navy ship named after the state of Delaware. The submarine has a crew of more than 130 personnel, is more than 377 feet long and can displace nearly 7,900 tons. The Virginia-class of nuclear-powered fast attack submarines are designed for a broad spectrum of open-ocean and littoral missions, or missions within a certain distance of shore, according to the U.S. Navy.