NAVSUP FLC Sigonella Holds Change of Command Ceremony

(U.S. Navy photo by MC2 Josh Coté)

Incoming commanding officer, Capt. Jay Turner, salutes Rear Adm. Chip Chase during the ceremony, while outgoing commanding officer, Capt. Dio English watches.

(U.S. Navy photo by MC2 Josh Coté)

By Joe Yanik / NAVSUP FLC Sigonella Public Affairs

SIGONELLA, Sicily -- Naval Supply Systems Command Fleet Logistics Center Sigonella held a change of command ceremony Aug. 1 here, during which Capt. Alsandro H. “Jay” Turner relieved Capt. Dion English as the FLC’s commanding officer.

“To my NAVSUP FLC Sigonella family, you have a phenomenal reputation for being a focused and innovative group of logisticians who know what it takes to support our fleet and our region,” Turner said during his remarks. “Our nation has been charged to meet multiple challenges from the new arena of cyber security to the rebirth and increased maritime presence above, on and beneath our oceans which have not been felt for decades. We must be poised and ready to support our warfighters and partners operating in areas that stretch from across Arctic waters to arid lands. We will serve as the key enabler to ensure the fleet can ‘answer all bells.’”

During his departing remarks, English reflected on his experience serving and living in Sicily, and he thanked his family and his staff for the support they had given him throughout his tour. He continued by praising all the military and civilian members assigned to NAVSUP FLC Sigonella for their work ethic, professionalism and dedication to the command’s mission.

“I could not have asked for a better command or location to serve as commanding officer,” English said. “Whether I asked you to focus on getting back to the basics, reform, inspector general inspection or maintaining a readiness to fight tonight (and win), you have answered that call. You consistently rose to the occasion to face every challenge.

You not only met those challenges, but you routinely exceeded expectations.” Presiding officer for the ceremony was Rear Adm. Grafton “Chip” Chase, Director, Readiness and Logistics, U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa. During his remarks, Chase highlighted several of the command’s major accomplishments that occurred during English’s tour, including NAVSUP FLC Sigonella’s logistics support during Exercise Trident Juncture and the command’s increase of contracting support for husbanding services.

“Over the course of Capt. English’s command tour, his team has achieved remarkable success, and answered the questions ‘Can you fight?’ and ‘Can you win?’” Chase said.

Chase also expressed confidence in Turner’s ability to build upon the achievements of NAVSUP FLC Sigonella and English, while continuing to provide support to a high-ops tempo fleet.

“Jay, you’ll quickly discover that command is the most rewarding and yet most challenging job you’ll ever have. It is the most important role any leader will assume,” Chase said. “I tend to migrate toward great leaders; you are one of them.”

NAVSUP FLC Sigonella is one of NAVSUP’s eight globally-positioned logistics centers that provides for the full range of the fleet’s military operations. NAVSUP FLC Sigonella delivers solutions for logistics, business and support services to the Navy, Military Sealift Command, Joint and Allied Forces throughout Navy Region Europe Africa Central.