Courtesy Photo | Capt. David Geisler, left, shakes hands with Capt. Donald Hodge after relieving him as...... read more read more
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Story by: U.S. Naval Forces Central Command Public Affairs
MUHARRAQ AIR FIELD, Bahrain - Capt. David A. Geisler relieved Capt. Donald D. Hodge as Commander, Task Force 53 at a change of command ceremony held at Commander, Sea Logistics Command Central Aviation Unit, Bahrain on Jan. 9.
CTF 53 is responsible for providing air and sea logistics to the U.S. Navy in the Middle East. It also has tactical control of all combat logistics force ships, strategic sealift, special mission ships and logistics aircraft operating in theater, as well as the supporting shore-based infrastructure.
In his new role as CTF 53/ COMSEALOGCENT's commander, Geisler will also serve as Commander, Logistics Forces, U.S. Naval Forces Central. In this role, he is responsible for coordinating the air and sea delivery of personnel, mail, cargo, fuel, ammunition and provisions to a fleet of 40-plus U.S. and coalition ships operating in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility.
"I'm very happy and honored to be a member of CTF 53. These are great people who are doing a difficult job and working quite hard. All I want to do is be their advocate & be able to support the overall mission. These people work countless hours to support the missions out at sea and in the air," Geisler said.
Geisler, a 1988 graduate of the University of Rochester, reports from Joint Enabling Capabilities Command where he directed joint planning support to Operation Enduring Freedom and Joint Task Force Haiti.
Under Hodge's leadership, the command oversaw more than 1,200 underway replenishments at sea involving the delivery of 120 million gallons of fuel to ships in theater and 490 million gallons of fuel to Department of Defense fuel distribution depots.
The command also supported more than 6,400 air logistics missions and managed a daily average of 50 ships and seven aircraft in theater. In addition, the command's aviation unit coordinated and moved more than 19,700 tons of cargo, 8,000 tons of mail and 42,300 passengers during Hodge's tour.
"It's been my great privilege to work with this team," Hodge said. "You met every mission, every time. The fleet depends on us, and you make it happen."
Following his tour at CTF 53/COMSEALOGCENT, Hodge will report to commander, Navy Region Europe, Africa, Southwest Asia, Detachment.
CTF 53/COMSEALOGCENT is comprised of active duty military, reservists, DOD civilians, and local national civilians who support all at-sea logistics and strategic sealift services to U.S. and coalition troops operating throughout the U.S. Central Command theater. In its strategic sealift capacity, the command is responsible for overseeing the delivery of nearly 90 percent of all cargo being used by troops operating in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere in the Middle East.
| Date Taken: | 01.09.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 01.12.2011 02:56 |
| Story ID: | 63402 |
| Location: | MUHARRAQ AIR FIELD, BH |
| Web Views: | 672 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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