NAVAL BASE POINT LOMA, Calif. (July 24, 2009) - Incoming Commanding Officer, Cmdr. Paul L. Dinius, proceeds through the sidebuoys prior to taking command of USS Helena (SSN 725) during a pier side ceremony at Naval Base Point Loma. Named after the Helena, Mont., USS Helena is a Los Angeles-class fast attack submarine assigned to Commander, Submarine Squadron 11 and homeported in Point Loma, Calif. U.S. Navy photo by MC2 April Currie.

USS Helena holds change of command
NAVAL BASE POINT LOMA, CA. - Cmdr. Paul L. Dinius relieved Cmdr. Daniel J. Brunk as Commanding Officer of USS Helena (SSN 725) during a pier side ceremony in Naval Base Point Loma July 24.

Captain Brett Genoble, Commander, Submarine Squadron 11 (SUBRON 11) was the guest speaker.

Under Brunk's command, Helena traversed more than 81, 000 miles in support of the Chief of Naval Operations' Maritime Strategy. Helena successfully completed a Western Pacific deployment and participated in one of the submarine force's largest ever tactical development torpedo exercises. Further, Helena operated under the ice in the Arctic region, demonstrating that submarines can operate anywhere. Locally, Helena assisted carrier strike groups and other key assets in preparing for deployment to hot spots around the world.

Brunk, a native of Madison Heights, Mich., will next serve as Deputy Director of the Farragut Technical Analysis Center at the Office of Naval Intelligence in Suitland, Md.

Cmdr. Dinius, a Santa Barbara, Calif. native, entered the United States Navy in 1992 via the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps program after graduating from Norwich University in Vermont. His previous assignments include USS Pargo (SSN 650), USS Alabama (SSBN 731) (Gold), USS Hampton (SSN 767), and USS Jefferson City (SSN 759). He holds master's degrees in mechanical engineering from University of Oklahoma and in engineering management from Old Dominion University.

USS Helena is homeported in Naval Base Point Loma and is assigned to SUBRON 11, which consists of six Los Angeles-class nuclear-powered attack submarines, three Torpedo Retrievers, and a floating dry-dock.

NAVAL BASE POINT LOMA, Calif. (July 24, 2009) - Incoming Commanding Officer, Cmdr. Paul L. Dinius, addresses the audience during the USS Helena (SSN 725) change of command ceremony at the Naval Base Point Loma. Named after the Helena, Mont., USS Helena is a Los Angeles-class fast attack submarine assigned to Commander, Submarine Squadron 11 and homeported in Point Loma, Calif. U.S. Navy photo by MC2 April Currie.