Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa, Allied Joint Forces Command Naples Holds Change of Command
NAPLES, Italy – Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa (NAVEUR-NAVAF), and commander, Allied Joint Forces Command Naples (JFC), held a change of command ceremony on Naval Support Activity Naples in Naples, Italy, Feb. 24, where Adm. Bruce W. Clingan relieved Adm. Samuel J. Locklear III.
Among the dignitaries and guests were Adm. Jonathan Greenert, chief of naval operations; Adm. James Stavridis, Supreme Allied Commander, Europe, and commander, U.S. European Command; U.S. Army Gen. Carter Ham, commander, U.S. Africa Command; and David Thorne, U.S. Ambassador to the Italian Republic.
“[Locklear] has a very candid approach to things, and I’ve admired him for a long, long time,” said Greenert. “He’s very innovative, and in the times that we have to deal with today, resources are tight, yet threats are out there and there is a job to be done. [Locklear] has the most bold and clear-eyed approach that I have seen throughout our senior admirals and senior leaders. He’s about operating forward, and that’s what our Navy is about.”
During his time in Naples, Locklear successfully oversaw a large number of real-world and training missions, such as Operations Odyssey Dawn and Unified Protector, and partner-building programs to include the multinational annual exercises of Proud Manta, Juniper Cobra, Phoenix Express, and the continuing of Africa Partnership Station (APS) East and West.
Stavridis also spoke highly of Locklear’s accomplishments during his time in Naples.
“From a NATO perspective, [Locklear] was brilliant,” said Stavridis. “I would particularly, and most obviously, highlight the Libyan operation. It was the ultimate unexpected [event] where he very quickly pivoted from a coalition of the willing to an alliance operation that led 28 NATO and Arab nations, and European partners. And the effect that I would draw to mind is that his operation saved tens of thousands of lives.”
Ham also spoke of Locklear’s operation in Libya and on his continued efforts towards building partnerships and increasing maritime security throughout Africa.
“I will always remember [Locklear’s] calm leadership, his measured approach, his constant concern for all under his command, and his absolutely unrelenting focus on his mission,” said Ham.
Locklear stood before the men and women of NAVEUR-NAVAF and JFC, and thanked them for their hard work and the contributions they made toward peace and security throughout the region.
“From the Balkans to Iraq, from the North Pole to the Southern tip of Africa, from the Western Mediterranean to the Black Sea, you have been leaders who shaped the world around you and made a difference,” said Locklear. “Thank your families for their sacrifices and support. They are the backbone of our military community and the unsung heroes behind our success.”
Locklear will continue his career as the new Commander, U.S. Pacific Command, in Hawaii, whose area of responsibility encompasses the waters off the west coast of the U.S. to the western border of India, and from Antarctica to the North Pole.
After taking command, Clingan greeted his new team and expressed his enthusiasm for returning to Naples, where he previously served as commander, U.S. 6th Fleet, and deputy commander, NAVEUR-NAVAF.
“I am delighted to be standing here today assuming command rather than relinquishing it, and I feel very privileged to be joining two extraordinary organizations,” said Clingan. “I’d like to thank Adm. Locklear for his exemplary leadership. In Navy parlance, all three ships are headed fair in the channel and my intent is to stay the course you have set and to accomplish the objectives that you have established.”
Clingan comes to Naples after serving as deputy chief of naval operations for operations, plans and strategy.
Find more articles tagged with:
- 6th Fleet
- NAVEUR
- U.S. Naval Forces Europe
- NAVAF
- AFRICOM
- Naval Support Activity Naples
- NATO
- change of command
- U.S. Naval Forces Africa
- U.S. Africa Command
-
USACE forward engineers train with Italians
A U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Forward Engineering Support Team-Advance (FEST-A) conducted training and remote engineering missions in partnership with Italian Army Reconnaissance Engineers here September 9-21, 2012.Find more articles tagged with:
-
EIAMDC officially opens
The Warrior Preparation Center opened the European Integrated Air and Missile Defense Center with a ribbon cutting ceremony here Sept. 26.Find more articles tagged with:
-
EUCOM senior enlisted seminar hits its mark
ISES, a weeklong U.S. European Command event held at the George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany, concluded on Sept. 13.Find more articles tagged with:
-
Schweinfurt flexes combat capability muscle with NATO exercise
Despite its announced closure earlier this year, the U.S. Army garrison here still has something to prove: Pitted between closing and remaining operational, it can also host a large-scale NATO exercise in its own backyard.Find more articles tagged with:
-
Jackal Stone 2012 participants take cultural tour of Croatia
Military personnel from 11 NATO-member nations took part in a tour of the Krka National Park located along the Krka River in Croatia on Sept. 15, 2012.Find more articles tagged with:
-
81st FS plays critical role in NATO exercise
The 81st Fighter Squadron is participating in a Ramstein ROVER 2012 Sept. 5-22.Find more articles tagged with:
-
JMTC hosts CE participants for 3rd year
The Joint Multinational Training Command, or JMTC, here, is hosting more than 40 nations and multinational organizations participating in Combined Endeavor for the third year in a row.Find more articles tagged with:
-
USS Mount Whitney Remembers 9/11
The crew of USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20) and embarked U.S. 6th fleet staff gathered for a remembrance ceremony to honor those whose lives were lost during the terrorist attacks, Sept. 11.Find more articles tagged with:
-
CNE-CNA Fleet Master Chief Meets Ukraine’s First MCPON, Tours Naval Facilities
The fleet master chief (FLTCM) of U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa spent two days touring facilities and meeting junior and senior Ukrainian Sailors along with the recently selected first Ukrainian master chief petty officer of the navy (MCPON) in Sevastopol, Ukraine, Sep. 11.Find more articles tagged with:
-
USS Farragut Makes French Connection
The guided-missile destroyer USS Farragut (DDG 99) departed La Rochelle, France, following a four-day visit, Sept. 10.Find more articles tagged with:
Comments: 0