Military Sealift Command’s leadership at Yokohama operations hub changes hands during ceremony

Photo By Grady Fontana | YOKOHAMA, Japan—Lt. Cmdrs. Eric Topor, left, and Shawn Tagan, stand at the position of attention during a Change-of-Charge ceremony at Yokohama North Dock, August 31. In the ceremony, Tagan assumed the authority of Command OIC from Topor for MSC Ship Support Unit (SSU) Japan. Topor will serve as the OIC of MSC SSU in Singapore. (Courtesy photo)  

YOKOHAMA, KANAGAWA, JAPAN

09.21.2023

Story by Grady Fontana 

Military Sealift Command Far East

Military Sealift Command's (MSC) operations hub in Yokohama, Japan, changed Officers-in-Charge (OIC) during a Change-of-Charge ceremony at Yokohama North Dock, August 31.

In the ceremony, Lt. Cmdr. Shawn Tagan assumed the authority of Command OIC from Lt. Cmdr. Eric Topor for MSC Ship Support Unit (SSU) Japan.

Officer-in-Charge of MSC SSU Japan is the commanding naval officer responsible for leading and directing U.S. and Japanese forces or representatives tasked with execution of MSC shipboard operations, supply, maintenance, repair functions and overall mission accomplishment in the Japan area of responsibility (AOR).

"I'm really excited to be here [and have] the opportunity to come to Yokohama and work with such dedicated and inspiring people, who have so much experience," Tagan said to the members of the organization.

Before assuming responsibilities of the OIC, Tagan served as acting chief-of-staff and executive assistant of Surface Warfare Schools Command, in Newport, R.I. Topor will serve as the OIC of MSC SSU in Singapore.

Tagan’s sea assignments include tours aboard USS Gary (FFG 51) homeported in Yokosuka, Japan and San Diego, Calif.; USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) homeported in Bremerton, Wash.; and USS Antietam (CG 54) as weapons, combat systems, and executive officer, forward deployed to the western Pacific 7th Fleet AOR.

Tagan also served on Commander Fleet Activities Yokosuka in Japan as operations officer.

MSC SSU Japan is part of MSC Far East and is the forward deployed command directly supporting all MSC operations within the mainland of Japan and facilitating logistics and operational requirements for 7th Fleet.

This past fiscal year, MSC SSU Japan supported 152 MSC ship visits for 1,024 total in-port days and 284 ship support actions.

MSC Far East ensures approximately 50 ships in the Indo-Pacific Region are manned, trained, and equipped to deliver essential supplies, fuel, cargo, and equipment to warfighters, both at sea and on shore. U.S. 7th Fleet is the U.S. Navy's largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, and routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region.

• Date Taken: 09.21.2023
• Date Posted: 09.20.2023 20:24
• Story ID: 453921
• Location: YOKOHAMA, KANAGAWA, JP