Military Sealift Command's Singapore-based Sealift Logistics Command Far East changed leadership as Navy Capt. Jim Romano relieved Navy Capt. Susan Dunlap. The change of command ceremony, held near SEALOGFE's headquarters office at Sembawang Wharves, was the command's first since it moved to its current location from Japan in July 2006. 

Dunlap, SEALOGFE's first Singapore-based commodore, led the charge to establish a permanent MSC footprint on the city-state island nation. SEALOGFE operates an average of 50 ships in the eastern Pacific and Indian oceans, delivering fuel and supplies to U.S. Navy forces at sea, transporting military cargo between ports, responding to humanitarian crises and conducting other special operations. SEALOGFE relocated to Singapore in order to collocate with Commander, Task Force 73, the primary command that MSC supports in the U.S. Seventh Fleet area of responsibility. 

"What began with a staff of just four personnel here at Sembawang Wharves has emerged into an efficient and responsive staff of 23 that expertly manages the MSC logistics mission and has greatly enhanced our ability to support the fleet in this part of the world," said Navy Rear. Adm. Nora Tyson, commander of Logistics Group Western Pacific and commander of Task Force 73. Tyson was the ceremony's principal speaker.

Tyson also highlighted several high-profile operations that SEALOGFE participated in during Dunlap's command. These included the transport of Indonesian military equipment for the United Nations-sponsored peacekeeping mission in Lebanon, support for humanitarian operations in Bangladesh following the devastating Tropical Cyclone Sidr and the dispatch of an oceanographic survey ship to locate the wreckage of a commercial jet that crashed in waters off of Indonesia's Sulawesi Island.

During her remarks, Capt. Dunlap thanked SEALOGFE staff members for their hard work and dedication in standing up the command, "This speech is dedicated to recognize them," said Dunlap.

Romano first enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1971 and was commissioned a limited duty officer in 1982.  A veteran of the Vietnam War, his shipboard assignments include USS Joseph Hewes, USS Forrestal, USS Los Alamos, USS Opportune, USS John F. Kennedy and USS Kearsarge.  Capt. Romano's most recent assignment was at the Navy Personnel Command, where he served as director of enlisted detailing.  He also served with MSC as chief staff officer in Naples, Italy. 

"It was immediately obvious to me that it will take my very best leadership and managerial skills to fill the void created by Capt. Dunlap's departure," said Romano. 

Dunlap will report as the commanding officer of the Navy's Training Support Center in San Diego, Calif., next month.

MSC operates approximately 110 noncombatant, merchant mariner-crewed ships that replenish U.S. Navy ships, conduct specialized missions, strategically preposition combat cargo at sea around the world and move military cargo and supplies used by deployed U.S. forces and coalition partners.