Bucks County man to assume command of fast-attack U.S. submarine

GUAM -- Cmdr. David L. Coe, a Newtown native and 1994 graduate of Council Rock High School, has assumed command of the Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine USS Key West (SSN 722) during a change of command ceremony at Naval Base Guam’s theater, Dec. 11.

In front of Key West crew, dignitaries, commanding officers, family and friends, Cmdr. David J. Coe relieved Cmdr. John A. Thompson as Key West’s commanding officer.

Capt. Jeffrey M. Grimes, commander, Submarine Squadron 15, was the guest speaker at the ceremony where he congratulated Thompson and the crew of Key West on a job well done.

Grimes said he couldn’t be more proud of the accomplishments and resilience of Key West under Thompson’s command. He presented the Meritorious Service Medal to Thompson for his accomplishments during his time as commanding officer.

During Thompson's tenure as commanding officer, Key West conducted three missions vital to national security and participated in four exercises with foreign nations.

"We’ve grown a lot. When I took command we were doing a lot of maintenance,” said Thompson. “Now we’re doing more operations. There was a lot of stress on the boat, but through it all the crew never stopped working together."

Thompson’s next tour of duty will have him report to the Kingdom of Bahrain in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility.

Coe, a native of Pennsylvania, graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1998, and most recently served as Executive Assistant to Commander, Submarine Force U.S. Pacific Fleet.