Posted:
August 26, 2011
This week, Navy Capt. Charles "Gene" Emmert took command of Maritime Prepositioning Ship (MPS) Squadron Two from Navy Capt. Wesley Brown onboard the USNS Sgt. William R. Button in Diego Garcia.
Capt. Emmert is now is responsible for the tactical control and readiness of the squadron's current fleet of 12 government-owned and -chartered noncombatant cargo carriers. Most of these ships are currently forward deployed to the Indian Ocean carrying military equipment and supplies for rapid delivery to U.S. forces ashore in case of a humanitarian operation or other contingency.
"I am honored to be engaging in a time-honored joint venture working with our merchant mariners to support any mission that comes our way," said Capt. Emmert. "Let the journey begin."
Capt. Emmert most recently served at the U.S. Mission to NATO in Brussels, Belgium, where he functioned as Navy armaments cooperation officer and deputy national armaments direct representative. He has commanded amphibious transport dock ship USS Duluth and has held other shoreside leadership positions.
The ceremony was attended by the AMO-represented masters of the USNS GYSGT Fred W. Stockham, USNS Seay, M/V SSG Edward A. Carter, Jr., USNS Pomeroy, M/V Capt. Steven L. Bennett, M/V LTC John U.D. Page and USNS Button, as well as the civilian master of the USNS Sgt. Matej Kocak.
The USNS Button, the squadron's flagship, is operated by General Dynamics American Overseas Marine and manned in all licensed positions by American Maritime Officers.
Change of command for Indian Ocean-based Maritime Prepositioning Squadron
This week, Navy Capt. Charles "Gene" Emmert took command of Maritime Prepositioning Ship (MPS) Squadron Two from Navy Capt. Wesley Brown onboard the USNS Sgt. William R. Button in Diego Garcia.
Capt. Emmert is now is responsible for the tactical control and readiness of the squadron's current fleet of 12 government-owned and -chartered noncombatant cargo carriers. Most of these ships are currently forward deployed to the Indian Ocean carrying military equipment and supplies for rapid delivery to U.S. forces ashore in case of a humanitarian operation or other contingency.
"I am honored to be engaging in a time-honored joint venture working with our merchant mariners to support any mission that comes our way," said Capt. Emmert. "Let the journey begin."
Capt. Emmert most recently served at the U.S. Mission to NATO in Brussels, Belgium, where he functioned as Navy armaments cooperation officer and deputy national armaments direct representative. He has commanded amphibious transport dock ship USS Duluth and has held other shoreside leadership positions.
The ceremony was attended by the AMO-represented masters of the USNS GYSGT Fred W. Stockham, USNS Seay, M/V SSG Edward A. Carter, Jr., USNS Pomeroy, M/V Capt. Steven L. Bennett, M/V LTC John U.D. Page and USNS Button, as well as the civilian master of the USNS Sgt. Matej Kocak.
The USNS Button, the squadron's flagship, is operated by General Dynamics American Overseas Marine and manned in all licensed positions by American Maritime Officers.