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CTF 63, Sea Logistics Command Europe Changes Hands

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS090603-18
Release Date: 6/3/2009 9:13:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class (SW/AW) Rosa Larson, Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Africa/Commander, U.S. 6th Fleet Public Affairs

NAPLES, Italy (NNS) -- Commander, Task Force (CTF) 63 and Sea Logistics Command Europe (SEALOGEUR) from held a change of command ceremony at Naval Support Activity Capodichino, May 20.

Capt. James Tranoris assumed command of CTF 63 and SEALOGEUR from Capt. Nicholas Holman.

"Nick also led Task Force 363, a new task force for which he was responsible for all theater security cooperation in South and East Africa," said guest speaker Rear Adm. Joe Leidig, U.S. 6th Fleet deputy commander.

"His superb team was the lifeblood of the Sixth Fleet as we travelled to new places both South and East. CTF 63 received more thank you and [bravo zulu] messages from ships in the fleet than all of our other commands combined."

Tranoris was commissioned through the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) at Boston University, where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science. He also received a Master of Arts degree in Business from Webster University and a Master of Science degree in national resource strategy from the National Defense University. He previously served as chief of staff at Commander, U.S Naval Forces Korea

"I fully accept and gladly look forward to the challenges and opportunities associated with command of these two fine organizations as they sustain the readiness of our forward-deployed forces and improve regional maritime safety and security while strengthening maritime partnerships in Africa," said Tranoris. "Being stationed in 'bella Napoli' is an added bonus."

Holman, who took command of CTF 63 and SEALOGEUR in May 2006, will next serve as commanding officer of Navy ROTC and professor of naval science at the University of Washington in Seattle.

"This job as commodore has been very special and always rewarding," said Holman. "I have truly been blessed these past three years. I have had an opportunity to… influence an exceptional group of both military and civilian professionals."

During Holman's tenure in Naples, his commands transported 40,000 air passengers, 23 million square feet of cargo and more than 34 million barrels of fuel –nearly enough oil to fill 3,000 Olympic size swimming pools.

CTF-63 is the logistics arm of Commander, U.S. 6th Fleet, responsible for ships and aircraft that provide logistical support to fleet customers within the European theater. SEALOGEUR is the Department of Defense's main ocean transportation provider in the U.S. 6th Fleet Area of Responsibility. While both commands are separate, they report to the same commander.

For more news from Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe -U.S. Naval Forces Africa/U.S. 6th Fleet, visit www.navy.mil/local/naveur/.