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Camp Lemonier Welcomes New Leadership

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS090522-18
Release Date: 5/22/2009 12:57:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW/AW) Marc Rockwell-Pate, Commander, Navy Region Europe, Africa, Southwest Asia Public Affairs

CAMP LEMONIER, Djibouti (NNS) -- Nearly 500 U.S. and joint military and civilian personnel and DoD contractors endured temperatures exceeding 100 degrees to witness a sunset change of command ceremony May 21 at the soccer field of Camp Lemonier, Djibouti (CLDJ).

The sun literally set on Capt. Patrick Gibbons' tenure as commanding officer, as Capt. William Finn relieved him.

"The men and women who I have had a chance to work with here at the Camp are the best people I have ever worked with in my 25-year Navy career," said Gibbons. "If someone would have asked me to stay another year at this command, I would really have to think about it because I enjoyed being here so much."

After assuming command in July 2008, Gibbons immediately began to make necessary changes toward transitioning the Camp from an expeditionary base to an enduring installation, including shifting from a commando-style facility with a 'tent city' to a growing enduring infrastructure responsible for supporting more than 23 tenant commands and activities.

"The monumental efforts being executed at this Camp could not have happened without Capt. Gibbons' excellent personal leadership and determination," said Rear Adm. Anthony Kurta, commander, Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa (JTF-HOA). "The demands and requirements at the Camp never end, nor does the 'Can Do' attitude of Capt. Gibbons."

Kurta awarded Gibbons with the Legion of Merit for his dynamic direction and keen judgment while serving as the Camp's commanding office. As an added bonus, the Camp's communications department used the Camp's connectivity to stream video of the ceremony to not only Capt. Gibbon's family, but also Capt. Finn's.

"I am proud to take command of this Camp," said Finn. "Capt. Gibbons has done an outstanding job transforming this Camp and I am looking forward to continuing its development."

Prior to assuming command at CLDJ, Finn served as the assistant chief of staff, shore installation management and engineering, for Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Korea until March 2009.

Finn is qualified as a Seabee Combat Officer and has received numerous service decorations, including a Legion of Merit, six Meritorious Service Medals, and Two Navy Commendation Medals. He is also a recipient of the Army Engineer Associations' Bronze de Fleury Medal.

Camp Lemonier, Djibouti (CLDJ) is located in the Horn of Africa and is the only U.S. military infrastructure located in Africa providing a base of operations for support services. The Camp has approximately 2500 U.S., joint and allied forces military and civilian personnel, DoD contractors and 1200 local and third country nation workers. The Camp is the primary base of operations for U.S. Africa Command in the Horn of Africa and supports more than 23 tenant commands, including Commander, Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa, U.S. Army 218th Field Artillery Regiment, and Naval Mobile Construction Battalion detachments.

For more information about Camp Lemonier or Commander Navy Region Europe, Africa, Southwest Asia, go to www.cnic.navy.mil/europe.

For more news from Commander, Navy Region Europe, Africa, Southwest Asia, visit www.navy.mil/local/cnre/.