CHANGE OF COMMAND

February 6, 2014

CHANGE OF COMMAND HISTORY

The change of command ceremony is an honored ritual of our rich heritage and naval tradition. Custom has established this ceremony be designed to carry out the formal passing of responsibility, authority and accountability of command from one officer to another, vital to any military organization.

Parading all hands at quarters and public reading of official orders stem from those days when movement of mail and persons was a very slow process. This custom was designed to ensure only an authorized officer held command and all aboard were aware of its authenticity.

At the heart of the ceremony is the formal reading of orders by the relieving officer and the officer to be relieved. Command passes upon utterance by the relieving officer, “I relieve you sir.” The officer being relieved responds, “I stand relieved.”

Although the main purpose of the ceremony is the turnover of responsibility from one officer to another, it provides the outgoing commanding officer the opportunity to say goodbye to the officers and enlisted crew. It also allows the new commanding officer to greet the crew.

The strength of today’s Navy stems in large measure from the observance of customs and traditions, each founded on need, each contributing to stability, combat effectiveness and smooth transfer of authority. This simple ceremony - passing authority and responsibility to another officer - reflects the dedication of free men serving their nation proudly.

Captain Michael Newman, U.S. Navy(P) Commanding Officer Camp Lemonnier, DjiboutiCapt. Michael S. Newman was commissioned as an ensign in 1988 with a degree in aerospace engineering from the United States Naval Academy. In 1989 he was designated a naval aviator and reported to Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Light Three One (HSL 31), the Fleet Replacement Squadron (FRS) for West Coast

SH-2F Seasprite Light Airborne Multi-Purpose System (LAMPS) squadrons at Naval Air Station North Island, Calif. After completion of his training he reported to HSL 35 and deployed aboard the USS Callaghan (DDG 994).

Newman’s next assignment was instructor duty at HSL-41 in San Diego flying the SH-60B Seahawk. In 1995 he left active duty and became an inactive reservist while he traveled throughout the world and briefly worked as an equities analyst.

In 1997 Newman affiliated with HSL 84 as a selected reservist in San Diego flying the SH-2G Super Seasprite. At HSL-84 he deployed aboard Navy Reserve frigates three times conducting counter narcotics operations in the eastern Pacific and Caribbean.

In 2000 Newman transferred to Helicopter Combat Support Special Squadron Five (HCS 5) at NAWS Point Mugu, Calif. flying the HH-60H. In March of 2003 he was recalled to active duty and deployed to Kuwait and Iraq twice in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom flying special operations missions.

In December 2006 Newman transferred to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron Eight Five (HSC 85) flying the MH-60S conducting range support for the Southern California Off-Shore Range (SCORE) and aerial fire fighting. In March 2009 he assumed command of HSC-85 and began the squadron transition from a logistical mission to a dedicated Naval Special Warfare Support squadron.

In June 2010 after completion of his command tour he reported aboard 3rd Fleet to the JFMCC where he served as chief staff officer and future operations officer supporting 3rd Fleet operations and exercises. In December 2011 he took over command of Navy Reserve Tactical Training Group Pacific (NR TTGP). In October 2013 Newman mobilized as the prospective commanding officer for Camp Lemonnier.

Newman resides in California with his wife Rebecca and children Brennan and Sophia.

Captain Peter Van Stee, U.S. NavyCommanding Officer Camp Lemonnier, DjiboutiCapt. Van Stee grew up in Boulder, Colo. He is a 1984 graduate of the University of Colorado, where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics through the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps program. He holds a Master of Science degree in Business Organizational Management from the University of La Verne and a

Masters in Strategic Policy from the U.S. Army War College.

He was commissioned immediately upon graduation and began flight school at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Fla. and was designated a naval aviator in July 1986.

Van Stee’s first assignment was Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Eight (HS 8) at Naval Air Station North Island in San Diego. He completed two western Pacific deployments, one northern Pacific deployment and numerous work-up detachments all aboard the aircraft carrier USS Constellation (CV 64). Following his initial sea tour, Van Stee was assigned shore duty at Pacific Missile Range Facility Barking Sands in Kauai, Hawaii where he flew both the SH-3G and UC-12F. In May 1992, during the later stages of the first Gulf War, he was temporarily assigned to the Administrative Support Unit, Manama, Bahrain as a UC-12B pilot. His mission included VIP, passenger and cargo missions throughout the Middle East.

In March 1993, Van Stee reported to Antarctic Development Squadron Six (VXE 6) in Pt. Mugu, Calif. Flying the UH-1N, he made two deployments to Antarctica in support of the National Science Foundation.

Van Stee reported to Fleet Logistics Support Squadron 30 (VRC 30) as a squadron department head in July 1995. He served as both the squadron safety officer and officer-in-charge of the UC-12B fleet replacement squadron.

Van Stee left active duty in January 1998 after 13 years of service. He immediately affiliated with the U.S. Navy Reserves and joined Helicopter Combat Support Squadron 85 (HC 85) in April 1998. Van Stee served as the administrative department head, maintenance department head and executive officer before assuming duties as commanding officer from April 2004 to August 2006.

Following HC 85, Van Stee served as the navy emergency preparedness liaison officer (NEPLO) for the state of Utah and the lead NEPLO for Commander, Navy Region Southwest (CNRSW). NEPLO’s are defense support of civil authorities experts for the Navy and work as liaison officers to help the Department of Defense and the Navy as they provide support to civil authorities in time of need such as natural disasters and humanitarian relief efforts.

Van Stee was recently selected as the CNRSW regional operations center commanding officer. He took command in December and will return to that billet following his command tour at Camp Lemonnier.

Schedule of EventsArrival Honors

National AnthemsInvocation

Welcome and Introduction of Guest Speaker

Captain Peter Van Stee

Address by Guest SpeakerRear Admiral John Scorby

Presentation of Award

Remarks and Reading of OrdersCaptain Peter Van Stee

Reading of Orders Captain Michael Newman

Passing of Command Pennant

RemarksCaptain Michael Newman

BenedictionOfficial Party Departs

HISTORY OF CAMP LEMONNIERCamp Lemonnier is located on the southwest side of the Djibouti-Ambouli International Airport, between the runway overflow areas and a French military munitions storage facility. Originally, the camp belonged to the artillery of the French 5th Overseas Task Force (5th RIAOM). Murals depicting colonial soldiers, former name of the Marine Troops from which the 5th RIAOM was formed, adorn the walls of the Camp Lemonnier white house in rememberance of the the Camp’s historical origins. Following use by the 5th RIAOM, the facility was operated by the Djiboutian Armed Forces.

The U.S. Government created Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) to conduct stability operations in the Horn of Africa after September 11, 2001. In November 2002, the CJTF-HOA staff, a Marine-based organization, arrived off the coast of Djibouti onboard USS Mount Whitney (LCC-20). In May 2003, CJTF-HOA transitioned from the Mount Whitney to Camp Lemonnier, moving all headquarters personnel and equipment.

On July 1, 2006, the U.S. Marine Corps turned over responsibility for Camp Lemonnier to the U.S. Navy. U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM) took over as the component commander while the base fell under the operational command of Commander, Navy Region Southwest Asia (CNRSWA).

In January 2007, the U.S. and Djiboutian governments announced that a lease agreement had been signed to expand Camp Lemonnier from 88 acres to nearly 500 acres. The term of the lease was for five years with options to renew. With the additional land, living conditions for personnel improved with the installation of containerized living units (CLUs) along with concrete sidewalks and gravel roads. This drastically improved quality of life as people moved from tents to CLUs.

On October 1, 2008, Camp Lemonnier was realigned in support of the stand up of U.S. Africa Command (USAFRICOM). Responsibility for CJTF-HOA was transferred from USCENTCOM to USAFRICOM as it assumed authority over the African theater of operations. The base also changed from CNRSWA to Commander, Navy Region Europe, Africa, Southwest Asia (CNEURAFSWA).

In May 2009, Camp Lemonnier welcomed the arrival of the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force P-3 Detachment making significant contributions to the anti-piracy mission along with the many coalition ships making Djibouti a frequent place to stop. This led to the stand up of the first Maritime Security Squadron on the African continent in July 2009, providing port security for ships at the Ports of Djibouti and Doraleh.

More than 20 new facilities projects have been constructed on Camp, which have included an aircraft apron, two taxiways, chapel, galley, a second recreation center, water production and distribution center and a wastewater treatment plant. Camp Lemonnier is currently executing construction funded by FY11-FY12 Military Construction (MILCON) appropriations. These projects are expanding the Camp’s operational capability and increasing the utility infrastructure. Projects include: a fuel farm, fire station, and an aircraft hangar.

In addition to the MILCON program there are additional maintenance and repair projects for Camp facilities. These include: pool repairs, shade canopies for MWR facilities, and upgrades of utilities. All of these projects increase the Camp’s ability to support tenant commands in the Horn of Africa.

Throughout its history, Camp Lemonnier has evolved and adapted to ever-increasing mission demands. There are still many chapters that remain unwritten as the camp positions itself for the challenges of the future.

Rear Admiral John Scorby Jr., U.S. NavyCommander Navy Region Europe, Africa, Southwest Asia

A native of Manlius, N.Y., Rear Adm. Scorby graduated from the State University of New York at Cortland in 1981 with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics. He entered the Navy in November 1982 as an aviation officer candidate, was commissioned an ensign in March 1983, and designated a Naval Flight Officer in June 1984.

Scorby’s early operational assignments include Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron Two (VQ 2) and Patrol Squadron Special Projects Unit One (VPU 1). Scorby, subsequently, served as the officer in charge of VPU-1 and commanding officer of VQ-2.

Scorby’s shore and staff assignments include Bureau of Naval Personnel/PERS-43 where he served as the VQ/Force Support detailer; North American Aerospace Defense Command where he served as a missile operations officer, chief of the Aerospace Warning Branch and executive assistant to the NORAD Director of Operations; Chief of Naval Operations (OPNAV/N13) where he served as the aviation officer community manager and deputy, Officer Plans and Policy; Chief of Naval Operations (OPNAV/N88) where he served as the EP-3E requirements officer and executive assistant to the Director; Naval Air Station Jacksonville where he served as the commanding officer; Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Energy, Installations and Environment) where he served as the Executive Assistant.

Prior to Scorby’s current assignment, he was Commander, Navy Region Southeast.

Additionally, his education includes a Master of Science degree in Financial Management from the Naval Postgraduate School; a Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies from the College of Command and Staff, U.S. Naval War College where he graduated with distinction; Joint Forces Staff College, and a Master of Arts degree in National Resource Strategy from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces where he graduated with distinction.

Scorby is currently serving as the Commander, Navy Region Europe, Africa, Southwest Asia.