Middle East Logistics Command Leadership Change

The command responsible for providing air and sea logistics to the U.S. Navy in the Middle East changed leadership today in Manama, Bahrain.

Navy Capt. Donald D. Hodge took charge of Military Sealift Command's Sealift Logistics Command Central from Navy Capt. Stephen H. Kelley, who has held the position since July 2008.

Hodge reports to SEALOGCENT from Naval Surface Group Middle Pacific in Hawaii, where he served as chief of staff.

In his new role as SEALOGCENT's commander, Hodge will also serve as commander, Task Force 53 and commander, Logistics Forces, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command. In these roles, he is responsible for coordinating the air and sea delivery of people, mail, cargo, fuel, ammunition and provisions to a fleet of 40-plus U.S. and coalition ships operating in Middle Eastern waters.

Under Kelley's leadership, the command oversaw 1,100 underway replenishments at sea involving the delivery of 178 million gallons of fuel to ships in theater and 484 million gallons of fuel to Department of Defense fuel distribution depots.  The command also supported more than 5,500 air logistics missions and managed a daily average of nine ships and 10 aircraft in theater.  In addition, the command's aviation unit coordinated and moved more than 15,000 tons of cargo, 6,000 tons of mail and 38,000 passengers during Kelley's tour.

Following his tour at SEALOGCENT, Kelley will report to Naval Surface Warfare Center Dam Neck, Va., as its 25th commanding officer.