Photo By Eric Dietrich | U.S. Navy Capt. Michael Newman, incoming commanding officer of Camp Lemonnier,...... read more read more
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CAMP LEMONNIER, Djibouti - Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, the U.S. military’s only enduring base in Africa, held a change of command ceremony, Feb. 6, 2014.
Capt. Michael S. Newman took command of CLDJ from Capt. Peter M. Van Stee during a ceremony presided over by Rear Adm. John C. Scorby Jr., commander of Navy Region Europe, Africa, Southwest Asia.
“It's truly an honor for me to be here to recognize the outstanding achievements of Capt. Pete Van Stee and his team,” Scorby said. “And also to look ahead with Capt. Mike Newman to what no doubt promises to be a challenging and exciting year.”
CLDJ saw significant development in facilities improvements and expansion under Van Stee’s tour as commanding officer, and continues to grow as the Navy’s largest expeditionary forward operating site. Construction of the first permanent living quarters and transitioning from bottled water to running water were just two of the nearly 44 simultaneous expansion projects started during the past year, and expansion will continue during Newman’s tenure as commanding officer.
“I have known Capt. Newman now for several years and am 100 percent confident that Camp Lemonnier will be in great hands,” Van Stee said. “It is a busy and often demanding job, but I cannot think of a more capable officer to lead the camp through what is arguably the most dynamic period in its history.”
Van Stee and Newman are both Navy Reserve officers and career naval aviators. Newman is the third consecutive reserve officer to assume command of CLDJ— the only major Navy shore installation commanded by a reservist.
Newman began his tour by thanking the camp personnel for their hard work under Van Stee’s command, and challenged them to continue their record of achievement.
“I look forward to working with all of you during the next year,” Newman said as he addressed the camp staff, distinguished guests, local and coalition military partners in attendance. “The partnerships we have here show our shared interests and beliefs to people everywhere.”
Newman’s first command tour was in at Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 85 in March 2009, and transferred from there to serve as the chief of staff and future operations officer supporting U.S. 3rd Fleet operations in June 2010. In Dec. 2011 he assumed command of Navy Reserve Tactical Training Group Pacific.
Camp Lemonnier is adjacent to the Ambouli International Airport in Djibouti and supports coalition military forces as they conduct a full spectrum of operations across Africa, the Middle East and the Indian Ocean.
| Date Taken: | 02.06.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 02.06.2014 07:07 |
| Story ID: | 120178 |
| Location: | CAMP LEMONNIER, DJ |
| Web Views: | 286 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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