Last modified Wed., January 09, 2008 - 04:59 PM
Originally created Thursday, January 10, 2008

NOSC hosts Augment Units' Command change

By MC2(SW/AW) Rebecca Kruck, Fleet Public Affairs Center Atlantic Detachment Jacksonville

Navy Operational Support Center (NOSC) Jacksonville hosted the Augment Units' Change of Command for five Reserve units during a ceremony at NAS Jacksonville Dec. 8. From left, Capt. Lynn McCarthy, NOSC Jacksonville commanding officer (CO); Lt. Cmdr. Robert Baer, CO, Security Force Kings Bay, Ga.; Rear Adm. Patricia Wolfe, commander, Logistics Task Force Pacific; Capt. John Tronti, former CO, Naval Reserve Military Sealift Command Expeditionary Port Unit 109; Capt. Jim Moore, CO, Carrier Strike Group 0674; Capt. James Facinelli, former CO Carrier Strike Group 0674; Lt. Cmdr. Mildred Gray, officer in charge, Navy Personnel Pay Support Center Detachment B; Lt. Cmdr. James Rund, CO, Naval Security Force Jacksonville and Capt. Stephen Sleem, CO, Naval Reserve Military Sealift Command Expeditionary Port Unit 109. Photo by MC2(SW) Sunday Williams

Navy Operational Sup-port Center (NOSC) Jacksonville hosted the Augment Units' Change of Command for five Reserve units during a ceremony held aboard NAS Jacksonville Dec. 8.

Those five units and their commanding officers include Capt. Jim Moore, who took the helm of Carrier Strike Group 0674 from Capt. James Facinelli; Capt. Stephen Sleem who took charge of Naval Reserve Military Sealift Command Expeditionary Port Unit 109 from Capt. John Tronti; Lt. Cmdr. James Rund, who relieved Lt. Cmdr. Robert Baer as commanding officer of Naval Security Force Jacksonville; Baer who took over command of Security Force Kings Bay from Lt. Cmdr. Stephen Gaston and Lt. Cmdr. Mildred Gray became the first officer-in-charge

to assume command of Navy Personnel Pay Support Center Detachment B.

Commanding Officer of NOSC Jacksonville Capt. Lynn McCarthy began the ceremony by welcoming the guest speaker Rear Adm. Patricia Wolfe, commander, Logistics Task Force Pacific.

"We are fortunate indeed to have such a noteworthy speaker with us today," said McCarthy.

"Rear Adm. Wolfe epitomizes the operational reserve, having been mobilized several times over her reserve career. Her most recent mobilization was as commander, Navy Expeditionary Logistics Support Group Forward at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait returning just this past October."

Wolfe took the stage following McCarthy's welcoming and addressed the audience.

"Today we witness multiple changes of command - the transfer of authority from one commanding officer to another," she said. "For these five very fine and important units supported by NOSC Jacksonville, the reading of orders today signifies a change in leadership for these Sailors."

Wolfe's affiliation with NOSC Jacksonville began 11 years ago when she assumed command of Cargo Handling Battalion Eleven.

"The NOSC and the region have gone through many changes in these past 11 years, including a name change from reserve centers, to more accurately reflect what our Reserve Sailors do," she continued. "The ultimate importance of our Reserve commands and their capabilities is to provide unique, immediate and critical resources to support our military operations, our country and our Navy. Our citizen Sailors are busier today with more than 47 percent of them having served some period of extended active duty since 9/11.

"Serving as the commanding officer of any unit is all about the Sailors that make the unit hum," said Wolfe. "As the CO, these officers guide their Sailors to sharpen their skills, work together as a team and be ready to deploy at a moment's notice."

Following the changes of command McCarthy told the commanding officers, "the Navy reposes its utmost confidence and faith in your abilities to continue the high states of readiness your predecessors have achieved. There will continue to be challenges as we respond to whatever missions our Navy assigns us in the future."