• Military Menu                       

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Industry
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

FOL Comalapa Changes Command

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS081021-17
Release Date: 10/21/2008 4:28:00 PM

From Forward Operating Location Comalapa Public Affairs

COMALAPA, EL Salvador (NNS) -- Forward Operating Location (FOL)Comalapa held a change of command ceremony Oct. 15.

Cmdr. Michael T. Amos relieved Cmdr. Charles L. Groves.
The ceremony concluded with Groves' retirement after 25 years of naval service.

"We have motivated, professional Sailors in the Navy at Comalapa, which is a testament to Commander Groves' outstanding leadership," said Amos. "But we cannot execute the mission alone. This is a combined effort between all U.S. personnel and our Salvadoran partners."

Groves assumed command of FOL Comalapa in July 2007, taking charge of FOL Comalapa's primary mission to provide logistical support to aerial counter-drug aircraft and their crews, which includes U.S. military and government law enforcement organizations.

Groves led FOL Comalapa's staff of active duty, Reserve, contractor and host-nation personnel who provided operation, logistical and force protection support for more than 1,300 deployed personnel from units conducting counter illicit trafficking missions. These missions included the most recent disruption and seizure of two self-propelled semi-submersible (SPSS) vessels carrying more than 14 tons of cocaine with a street value of more than $383 million.

FOL Comalapa also promotes theater security cooperation (TSC), by conducting community relations projects in the El Salvador area and by providing additional logistical support to visiting U.S. Navy units, such as recent humanitarian visits by USS Boxer (LHD 4) and USNS Comfort (T-AH-20) to El Salvador.

During the ceremony, Groves was presented with the Meritorious Service Medal, as well as letters, gifts and various certificates of appreciation, including a certificate of appreciation from President George W. Bush thanking him for his 25 years of naval dervice.

The ceremony's official party consisted of the U.S. Ambassador to El Salvador, Charles Glazer, and Rear Adm. Joseph D. Kernan, commander, U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command (NAVSO)/U.S. 4th Fleet, who executed the change of command. Also in attendance was the El Salvadoran Admiral of the Air Force, U.S. Army and Coast Guard representatives and many other guests and friends.

FOL Comalapa is under operational control of NAVSO/U.S. 4th Fleet. As the Navy component commander for U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), NAVSO oversees maritime operations throughout Latin America, including exercises and deployments, counter illicit trafficking support and TSC events.

U.S. 4th Fleet is the numbered fleet assigned to NAVSO exercising operational control of U.S. Navy units operating in the SOUTHCOM area of responsibility.

For more news from U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command (NAVSO)/U.S. 4th Fleet, visit www.navy.mil/local/cusns/.