Commander Fleet Activities Chinhae Holds Change of Command

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Lynn F. Andrews, Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Korea, Public Affairs

CHINAE, Republic of Korea (NNS) -- Commander Fleet Activities Chinhae (CFAC) held a change of command ceremony, May 27 with more than 300 Sailors, families, members of the local Korean community, and military leaders from the Republic of Korea navy in attendance.

Cmdr. Michael Weatherford relieved Cmdr. Quinn Skinner as commander.

Weatherford first reported to CFAC in 2012 to serve as the executive officer. As the incoming commanding officer, he spoke about his vision for the base and its personnel.

"To the crew, you are the engine that makes everything purr and I look forward to this ride with you over the next two years," said Weatherford. "It will be all of you that will make this tour rewarding."

Rear Adm. Lisa Franchetti, commander, Navy Region Korea, was the guest speaker for the ceremony and highlighted the notable accomplishments by the CFAC team over the past two years.

"CFAC provides vital front-line support for forward deployed naval forces of all flavors including our ships, submarines, aircraft carriers, and aircraft," said Franchetti. "The professionalism and hard work of all of your Sailors and Navy civilians enables these forces to exercise and engage with our friends and partners in the Republic of Korea navy, and ultimately strengthens the bonds of our alliance."

Skinner assumed command of CFAC in June 2012. Under his leadership, the base received multiple awards including the housing Platinum "A List" award for achieving the highest levels of customer satisfaction in 2013, for the 12th consecutive year.

In 2012, the CFAC fire and emergency services department was selected as the Small Fire Department of the Year across all U.S. Navy installations worldwide. Additionally in 2013, the base won the Small Command Overseas, Navy's Flagship award for Community Service, Health, Safety, and Fitness.

"You, the Sailors and employees on this base, whether at CFAC or tenant commands, have worked together to achieve extraordinary things," said Skinner. "What makes it extraordinary is that you all chose to work together. You could have been content to mind your own business and do only your assigned tasks, but instead you worked together to go above and beyond what was asked of you, with results never before achieved in the history of this base."

Skinner also personally thanked Sailors, civilians, families, and members of the local Korean community for their support and friendship during his command tour.

"Both my wife and I will miss all of you and we will treasure the friendships we made here, both Korean and American," said Skinner. "Cmdr. Weatherford has been a driving force of excellence since the day he arrived. I know both CFAC's mission and all of you individually will prosper under his leadership."

CFAC is the only U.S. Navy base in the Republic of Korea and is located on the southern coast of the peninsula with approximately 120 Sailors and their families on station.

CFAC's mission is to provide on-peninsula service, expertise and material support to the fleet, Sailors, Department of Navy civilians and the U.S.-ROK alliance through joint armistice, training exercises, and contingency operations.