Change at the Helm, MSC Far East Command

Navy Capt. Charles Denman speaks during a change of command ceremony March 26 in Singapore. Denman took command of Sealift Logistics Command, Far East from Navy Capt. Jim Romano who will move on to MSC headquarters in Washington, D.C.

Military Sealift Command’s leadership in the Far East changed hands March 26 when Navy Capt. Charles C. “Chip” Denman relieved Navy Capt. Jim O. Romano as commander of Singapore-based Sealift Logistics Command, Far East. 

SEALOGFE, whose mission is to safely and efficiently operate MSC-controlled ships to provide services in support of U.S. Pacific Command and U.S. 7th Fleet, has up to 48 Naval Fleet Auxiliary Force, Special Mission, Prepositioning and Strategic Sealift ships in its vast area of responsibility encompassing more than 52 million square miles of the Pacific and Indian Oceans.

During the ceremony, Navy Rear Adm. Mark Buzby, commander of Military Sealift Command, presented Romano with the Legion of Merit Medal recognizing his achievements over the past two years. 

“The contents of this award recognize the hard work and success of my staff, not only me,” Romano told the audience of more than a hundred guests. Romano, who reported as SEALOGFE’s commander in March of 2008, is SEALOGFE’s second commander since the command moved to Singapore from Yokohama, Japan, in 2006.  SEALOGFE is co-located with Commander, Logistics Group Western Pacific and Commander, Task Force 73.

Denman’s last assignment was Legislative Advisor to the Chief of Naval Personnel. Denman also served as a strategist on the staff of the Under Secretary of Defense (Policy), completed two Office of the Chief of Naval Operations action officer tours, and served as a congressional fellow on the staff of U.S. Senator Jeff Sessions of Alabama.   

At sea, Denman served onboard USS Hewitt, USS California, USS Ouellett, USS Sphinx and USS Guadalcanal.  He commanded the destroyer USS Barry deploying to the North Arabian Sea in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.

Denman is a 1985 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and earned a master’s degree in strategy from the Army’s Command and General Staff College in 1996. He has also completed Joint Professional Military Education Phases I and II.

“One doesn’t earn command through seniority, but through a proven record of excellence,” said the ceremony’s guest speaker, Logistics Group Western Pacific commander Navy Rear Adm. Nora Tyson. “That is certainly the case of our incoming commodore, Capt. Chip Denman. You have a great team, and I have every confidence that you will continue to build upon the superb foundation Jim has left for you.”

Romano will report to Military Sealift Command headquarters where he will serve as chief of staff. MSC operates approximately 110 noncombatant, U.S. merchant mariner-crewed ships that replenish U.S. Navy ships at sea, conduct specialized missions, strategically preposition combat cargo at sea around the world and move military cargo and supplies used by deployed U.S. forces.