Posted:
May 17, 2013
Rear Adm. Thomas Shannon relieved Rear Adm. Mark Buzby as commander of Military Sealift Command during a ceremony aboard the USNS Spearhead May 10.
Gen. William Fraser III, commander, U.S. Transportation Command, and Adm. William Gortney, commander, U.S. Fleet Forces, were the guest speakers.
Buzby, a native of Atlantic City, N.J., and a graduate of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, assumed command of MSC in October 2009, and ensured ready logistics support for carrier strike groups, expeditionary strike groups and ground force commanders operating forward every day.
"It's been an honor and privilege of a lifetime to serve as the commander of MSC and represent this team of sailors, civilian mariners, and shore-based civil servants who are truly the lifeline of support for our Navy and military worldwide," said Rear Adm. Buzby.
While under Buzby's command, MSC ships delivered services, supplies and equipment to all branches of the U.S. military and their combatant commanders around the world, including support to Operations Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom, Unified Response in Haiti (2010) and Tomodachi in Japan (2011).
"Rear Admiral Buzby was a tremendously effective commander at Military Sealift Command," said American Maritime Officers National President Tom Bethel. "From the union representing the majority of the contract-civilian merchant marine officers manning vessels in the MSC fleet, it's been a great honor to work with him and under his leadership in support of crucial sealift missions for the U.S. Armed Forces, and in humanitarian relief missions around the globe.
"AMO is looking forward to working with Rear Admiral Shannon, and continuing to provide exceptional service in the MSC fleet," Bethel said.
A graduate of Maine Maritime Academy and native of Calais, Maine, Rear Adm. Shannon assumed command of MSC following his last tour of duty as commander, Carrier Strike Group One, in San Diego, Calif.
"Thank you for your trust in me and my ability to lead this critical command," said Rear Adm. Shannon. "I am passionate about our important mission, I am honored and humbled by your trust, and will strive constantly to deserve it."
Shannon's at sea assignments include tours aboard USS Jack Williams (FFG 24), USS Nicholson (DD 982) and USS Boone (FFG 28). His afloat staff duty includes chief staff officer in Destroyer Squadron 14 and surface operations officer in Cruiser Destroyer Group 12. He was also commanding officer of USS De Wert (FFG 45), commanding officer of USS Vicksburg (CG 69) and air defense commander for the John F. Kennedy Battle Group.
Change of command at Military Sealift Command
Rear Adm. Thomas Shannon relieved Rear Adm. Mark Buzby as commander of Military Sealift Command during a ceremony aboard the USNS Spearhead May 10.
Gen. William Fraser III, commander, U.S. Transportation Command, and Adm. William Gortney, commander, U.S. Fleet Forces, were the guest speakers.
Buzby, a native of Atlantic City, N.J., and a graduate of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, assumed command of MSC in October 2009, and ensured ready logistics support for carrier strike groups, expeditionary strike groups and ground force commanders operating forward every day.
"It's been an honor and privilege of a lifetime to serve as the commander of MSC and represent this team of sailors, civilian mariners, and shore-based civil servants who are truly the lifeline of support for our Navy and military worldwide," said Rear Adm. Buzby.
While under Buzby's command, MSC ships delivered services, supplies and equipment to all branches of the U.S. military and their combatant commanders around the world, including support to Operations Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom, Unified Response in Haiti (2010) and Tomodachi in Japan (2011).
"Rear Admiral Buzby was a tremendously effective commander at Military Sealift Command," said American Maritime Officers National President Tom Bethel. "From the union representing the majority of the contract-civilian merchant marine officers manning vessels in the MSC fleet, it's been a great honor to work with him and under his leadership in support of crucial sealift missions for the U.S. Armed Forces, and in humanitarian relief missions around the globe.
"AMO is looking forward to working with Rear Admiral Shannon, and continuing to provide exceptional service in the MSC fleet," Bethel said.
A graduate of Maine Maritime Academy and native of Calais, Maine, Rear Adm. Shannon assumed command of MSC following his last tour of duty as commander, Carrier Strike Group One, in San Diego, Calif.
"Thank you for your trust in me and my ability to lead this critical command," said Rear Adm. Shannon. "I am passionate about our important mission, I am honored and humbled by your trust, and will strive constantly to deserve it."
Shannon's at sea assignments include tours aboard USS Jack Williams (FFG 24), USS Nicholson (DD 982) and USS Boone (FFG 28). His afloat staff duty includes chief staff officer in Destroyer Squadron 14 and surface operations officer in Cruiser Destroyer Group 12. He was also commanding officer of USS De Wert (FFG 45), commanding officer of USS Vicksburg (CG 69) and air defense commander for the John F. Kennedy Battle Group.