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Fleet Rec Center Named After U.S. Naval Forces Japan Leader

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS090325-19
Release Date: 3/25/2009 10:33:00 PM

By Dan Bowen, Commander Fleet Activities Yokosuka Public Affairs

YOKOSUKA, Japan (NNS) -- The commander of U.S. Naval Forces Japan (CNFJ) was surprised during a dedication ceremony March 24 when a facility devoted to the fleet was named after the admiral who's spent much of his career in the Pacific nation.

Building 3008, or the "Fleet Recreation Center" as it is commonly known, is now the James D. Kelly Fleet Recreation Center, in honor of Rear Adm. James Kelly, CNFJ.

The ceremony opened with Commander Fleet Activities Yokosuka (CFAY) Capt. Daniel Weed reading the official proclamation, which was immediately followed by the unveiling of the new sign in front of the building and a biographical plaque of Kelly which will be placed inside the facility. Commander U.S. 7th Fleet Vice Adm. John Bird then took the stage and spoke about the contributions Kelly has made during his time in Japan and what his efforts have meant to the naval community.

"Jamie Kelly never lost sight of the fact that a successful fleet requires top notch leadership ashore and a community both inside and outside the gate that is supportive," said Bird. "There's a sign hanging over Jamie's desk that says it all: 'We enable the fleet.' And Jamie has been as true to that slogan as any man I know."

Kelly has spent a combined seven years of command-level service in Japan. He has worked tirelessly to shape and improve the Navy's presence and the relationship with the host nation. According to CNFJ Deputy and Chief of Staff Capt. William P. Cuilik, it is more than appropriate for Kelly's service to be commemorated aboard CFAY.

"Nobody has had more of an impact on the FDNF [Forward Deployed Naval Forces] and on this alliance between the U.S. and Japan than Admiral Kelly has," said Cuilik. "When the idea was proposed to the chief of naval operations (CNO), he immediately recognized that and latched on to that, which is why this dedication was approved."

Unbeknownst to Kelly, the effort to have the recreation center renamed began six months ago with a letter recommending the name change was sent to the CNO by Weed.

"The 'Fleet Recreation Center' or Building 3008, is the primary community support facility for the Sailors of the Forward Deployed Naval Forces in Japan," said Weed in the letter. "It is fitting that this prominent facility and refuge for Sailors be named in honor of Rear Admiral James D. Kelly, a long time supporter of the Navy's presence in Japan and the Sailors assigned to the FDNF."

An emotional Kelly was surprised and proud to have his name become a permanent fixture of the base where he has spent so much of his professional career working.

"I'm overwhelmed," said Kelly. "This Fleet Recreation Center has always been about us as Sailors and particularly about the Sailors coming in off the ship that maybe don't have a great place to workout on the ship, or a great place to hang out and take college courses and plug the computer in, or sit down and do some Wi-Fi action or get in that single Sailors' lounge. To have your name in front of a place like this is stunning."

For more news from Commander Fleet Activities Yokosuka, visit www.navy.mil/local/cfay/.