Pittsburgh native successfully completes Navy tour; commemorated by change of command ceremony

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Cmdr. Michael Kos turned over command of the future nuclear-powered fast attack submarine USS Utah (SSN 801) to Cmdr. Christopher Hornung in a traditional change-of-command ceremony held Friday, August 30, at the Historic Ship Nautilus in Groton, Connecticut.

Capt. Phillip Castellano, commodore of the pre-commissioning unit’s (PCU) parent Submarine Squadron (SUBRON) 12, presided over the ceremony stating, “Mike was a natural choice when selecting Utah’s first skipper.”

“The name ‘Mike Kos’ will forever be scribed into the history books from both the navy and the fine people of the Beehive State,” Castellano said. “I trust Christopher will continue to push this crew to the finish line and commissioning. “Chris, you’ve inherited a fine warship and a fine crew – welcome to the team.”

Kos, a Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania native and 2004 graduate of Carnegie Mellon University, became the submarine’s first commanding officer when the command was established in January 2022.

“The story of Utah since the beginning has been one of perseverance, of hard work, and of family,” Kos said. “I am deeply humbled and thankful to have served with them as their first Commanding Officer. It has been an honor and a privilege that I will cherish forever.”

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