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Indian Ocean-based Squadron Two Welcomes New Commanding Officer

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS101006-13
10/6/2010

By Ed Baxter, Sealift Logistics Command Far East Public Affairs

DIEGO GARCIA, Indian Ocean (NNS) -- Military Sealift Command's Maritime Prepositioning Ship (MPS) Squadron Two changed leadership in a ceremony held on board the squadron's flagship USNS SGT William R. Button (T-AK 3012) at Diego Garcia, Oct. 5.

Navy Capt. Wesley Brown relieved Navy Capt. Gene "Fred" Harr as commanding officer of MPS Squadron Two. Squadron Two is a fleet of nine government-owned and U.S.- flagged commercial ships under charter to MSC that strategically preposition U.S. military cargo and supplies at sea in the Indian Ocean for rapid delivery to shore when needed.

MPS Squadron Two is commanded by a U.S. Navy captain who maintains tactical command and control of the squadron and is embarked aboard Button with a staff of nine sailors. All nine ships in the squadron are crewed by civilian mariners working for private companies under contract to MSC who operate and navigate the ships.

Brown is the 26th commander in the squadron's history.

"I have the opportunity to learn from professional mariners with more than 100 years of collective service," said Brown. "I look forward to working with and learning from this group of professionals."

Navy Capt. Chip Denman, commander of the Singapore-based Sealift Logistics Command Far East and the ceremony's principal speaker, presented Harr with the Legion of Merit Medal.

"While the tour on Diego Garcia is short, Capt. Harr's list of accomplishments is long," Denman said. "He displayed dynamic and unwavering leadership overseeing the complex operations, training and readiness of prepositioning ships forward-deployed to Diego Garcia."

Harr took command of MPS Squadron Two in November 2009.

Denman recognized Harr for leading the squadron's participation in two vital exercises in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility over the past year, as well as the squadron's first-ever exercise with the Republic of Maldives.

"The military and civilian team of MPS Two makes the complex seem simple," Harr said. "If you want a difficult mission performed, MSC and the Maritime Prepositioning Force deliver."

Harr will be reporting to the Navy Personnel Command's Bureau of Naval Personnel in Millington, Tennessee, as the division director for officer and enlisted career progression.

A native of Dallas, Texas, and a graduate of Baylor University, Brown most recently served as the expeditionary warfare module head and executive officer of Tactical Training Group Atlantic in Norfolk, Va. He has also served aboard guided missile cruiser USS Valley Forge, amphibious dock landing ships USS Harper's Ferry and USS Oak Hill, and as commanding officer of amphibious transport dock ship USS Ponce. He holds a master's degree in military arts and science from the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, Ft. Leavenworth, Kan.

Ceremony guests included Royal Marines Maj. John Lugg, senior British representative at the ceremony; and MPS Squadron Two representatives, including Capt. Lloyd Dorricott, civilian master of Button; Capt. John Zondler, civilian master of MV SGT Edward A. Carter Jr. (T-AK 3012); Capt. Arthur Weis, civilian master of MV MAJ Bernard F. Fisher(T-AK 4396); Capt. Robert Mills, civilian master of USNS Lawrence H. Gianella (T-AOT 1125); Capt. Robert Hoffman, civilian master of USNS SGT Matej Kocak (T-AK 3005); Capt. Glenn Walker, civilian master of USNS 1ST LT Baldomero Lopez(T-AK 3010); and Capt. Dru DiMattia, civilian master of USNS GYSGT Fred W. Stockham (T-AK 3017).

MSC operates approximately 110 noncombatant, merchant mariner crewed ships that replenish U.S. Navy ships at sea, conduct specialized missions, strategically preposition cargo at sea around the world and move military cargo and supplies used by deployed U.S. forces and coalition partners.