CLDJ's EMF Change of Charge

Photo By Petty Officer 2nd Class Marquis Whitehead | CAMP LEMONNIER, Djibouti - Cmdr. Edward H. Owens, officer in charge, Expeditionary Medical Facility, is properly relieved by Capt. Paul R. Ryan during change of charge ceremony, at the multipurpose facility on base, Oct. 1, 2019. Camp Lemonnier is an operational installation that enables U.S., allied and partner nation forces to be where and when they are needed to ensure security in Europe, Africa and Southwest Asia. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Marquis Whitehead)  

CAMP LEMONNIER, DJIBOUTI

10.01.2019

Story by Petty Officer 2nd Class Marquis Whitehead 

Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti

CAMP LEMONNIER, Djibouti – U.S. Navy Cmdr. Edward Owens, transferred responsibility as the officer in charge (OIC) of Expeditionary Medical Facility (EMF), Camp Lemonnier, to U.S. Navy Capt. Paul Allen in a change of charge ceremony on base, Oct. 1, 2019.

The Commanding Officer of Camp Lemonnier, Capt. Kenneth Crowe, guest speaker for the event, praised Owens for his dedicated leadership and exceptional support of the forward-deployed service members in the Horn of Africa.

“I want to thank you for your leadership and your steadfast, laser-focused devotion to your job and your staff,” Crowe said. “Under your leadership, Camp Lemonnier’s EMF made significant contributions that improved the care our service members receive—those contributions will be your legacy and will help service members who are forward-deployed here now and in the future.”

As the only level-2 trauma center in the area of responsibility, the EMF is responsible for the care of thousands of personnel who occupy the base in and around the area of responsibility. Under Owens’ leadership, the EMF was the first facility in a remote region to implement Telehealth, a video conference call system that allows patients in one area to consult with specialists located at another facility. This system allow patients to receive consultations without being medically evacuated to another facility.

Owens, a native of both Cedar Point, North Carolina and Seaford, Delaware, said that his tour as the OIC has been the highlight of his career because of the unique challenges that face an EMF in a forward-deployed location.

Leading a group of people in an austere environment such as Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti was a challenge, but was one I embraced,” Owens said. “There aren’t many locations like this and we had to think out of the box at times, but my staff rose to the challenge and excelled. I’m very proud of them.”

There are 50 medical personnel assigned to EMF who offer services such as emergency medicine, dental services and physical therapy.

Allen, a native of Newberg, Oregon and who resides in Yuma, Arizona, said he pledged to continue maintain the exceptional care that EMF has provided to patients, especially those who are serving forward. Allen also said he will ensure EMF is well prepared so that the department lives up to Navy Medicine’s mission of world-class care—anywhere, anytime.

“I’m excited to take what Cmdr. Owens has done and carry the ball forward,” Allen said. “I look forward to working with my team at the EMF, our joint partners and partner nations, and am ready for the challenges we will face together.”

Camp Lemonnier is an operational installation that enables U.S., allied and partner nation forces to be where and when they are needed to ensure security in Europe, Africa and Southwest Asia.

• Date Taken: 10.01.2019
• Date Posted: 10.02.2019 06:29
• Story ID: 345182
• Location: CAMP LEMONNIER, DJ
• Hometown: CEDAR POINT, NC, US
• Hometown: NEWBERG, OR, US
• Hometown: SEAFORD, DE, US
• Hometown: YUMA, AZ, US