Glenister relieves Owen at change-of-command ceremony

Photo By Yuuji Kawabe | Capt. David T. Glenister, walks through sideboys after replacing Capt. David A. Owen as Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka, during a change of command ceremony held in the C-2 auditorium. (Photo by Yuji Kawabe)  

YOKOSUKA, KANAGAWA, JAPAN

08.08.2013

Courtesy Story

Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka

YOKOSUKA, Japan - Capt. David A. Owen relinquished command of Commander, Fleet Activities (FLEACT), Yokosuka, to Capt. David T. Glenister during a change of command ceremony, Aug. 8.

The ceremony, held on board FLEACT, Yokosuka, was attended by U.S. military and civilian personnel, Japanese civilian employees, self-defense force personnel and local government officials. In the presence of U.S. Naval Forces Japan, and Commander, Navy Region Japan, Rear Admiral Dan Cloyd, Capt. Owen took center-stage at the podium to deliver his hail and farewell.

“Wow. [It’s] hard to believe that over three years have already passed by,” said Owen. “38 months ago I was saying very little and taking the reigns from [Capt.] Dan Weed. It’s been one heck of a roller coaster ride, and in all honesty, I’m not really ready to get off, but all things come to an end.”

Owen’s tenure as commander of Yokosuka Base began June 2010 and amidst such community-oriented events as the 36th annual Yokosuka Mikoshi Parade and the 160th annual Kurihama Perry Festival, to the 37th annual Friendship Day, all is paled by the events of the Great Eastern Japan Earthquake and tsunami relief efforts in March 2011.

“There have been many changes which resulted directly from the devastating earthquake and tsunami which occurred in March 2011,” said Owen. “It was definitely a challenging time, yet one where both the US and Japanese militaries showed their capabilities to provide assistance and work together. If there was ever any doubt that the US cares about this country and sees it as a home of ours as well, those doubts should have been squashed then. An operation like Tomodachi would have been unthinkable to my Grandparents, especially my Grandfather, Lt. Col. George R. Owen, who served in WWII.”

Owen’s time as the commanding officer witnessed immense changes in the structure of US naval forces, such as the ‘Pacific Pivot’ and the reduction of federal employees, which have marked a downturn in eventual changes of not only Yokosuka Base but also the landscape of the entire Navy.

“The only thing for certain is that there will be change,” said Owen. “Some changes for the good and some not so much, but change nonetheless.” “Many of the changes are inevitable and you know they are coming,” said Owen. “Others revolve around events and situations which you might have known were possible, but really didn’t think would happen.”

• Date Taken: 08.08.2013
• Date Posted: 08.23.2013 03:54
• Story ID: 112460
• Location: YOKOSUKA, KANAGAWA, JP