Change at the helm for Military Sealift Command, Europe
(USTCNS) --- In the time-honored Navy tradition, Capt. David K. Wright, USN, relieved Capt. Dirk P. Deverill, USN, as Commander, Military Sealift Command, Europe, in a ceremony held Sept. 29 at Naval Support Activity, Capodichino, Naples, Italy.
After the arrival of the official party, the color guard from the Naples Naval Junior Reserve Office Training Corps posted the colors, and Chaplain Capt. James Poe, CHC, USN delivered the invocation. Capt. Deverill then introduced the ceremony’s principal speaker, Vice Adm. David Brewer, USN, Commander, Military Sealift Command.
Also in attendance were Rear Adm. Stanley Bozin, USN, Commander, Navy Region Europe, along with Capt. Deverill’s parents, Col. Arthur Deverill, USA (Ret.) and his wife Kim—who had flown in from Falls Church, Va.—as well as Capt. Wright’s wife, Betty.
“We are here today to commemorate the leadership and accomplishments of Commodore Dirk Deverill and to welcome Capt. David Wright to one of MSC’s busiest area commands,” Admiral Brewer said. “MSC Europe is in the middle of everything—peacekeeping operations in eastern Europe, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and the global war on terrorism.”
Brewer then delivered the accolades for Capt. Deverill and the command that he led through challenging times, particularly during the build up of forces before Operation Iraqi Freedom. Deverill was commended for his visionary leadership in transitioning his command to a robust, ‘24-7,’ wartime operation, and in establishing a bunkering stop at Souda Bay, Greece, to provide fuel and supplies to hundreds of MSC ships transiting to and from the Arabian Gulf.
At the height of the build-up of forces prior to entering Iraq, about half of the 160-plus deployed MSC cargo ships were located in the MSC Europe area of responsibility. Brewer then presented Capt. Deverill with the Legion of Merit for his outstanding service to MSC.
In his remarks, Deverill praised the staff of MSC Europe calling them, “the right people in the right place,” adding, “I have never known another complete group of ‘we-know-we-can’s,’ and I am proud to have been associated with each one of you.”
Capt. Wright reports from his most recent shore duty in the Force Structure, Resources, and Assessment Directorate, Joint Staff (J-8), in Washington, D.C., serving as Senior Navy Analyst in the Program, Budget and Analysis Division, and as the Chief of the Combatant Command Liaison Branch in the Joint Capabilities Development Division.
Capt. Wright’s most recent assignment at sea was commanding officer of USS Robert G. Bradley (FFG 49). On patrol in the eastern Pacific, his ship seized nearly nine tons of cocaine being smuggled into the U.S., and was awarded the U.S. Coast Guard Meritorious Unit Commendation. Capt. Wright also earned two advanced degrees in financial management and national security and strategic studies. “Captain Deverill, thank you for a smooth turnover. You leave big shoes to fill, but I am excited by the prospect of commanding the organization you have taken such good care of for the past two years,” Wright said.
Deverill reports to the Office of the Secretary of Defense, U.S. Delegation to NATO, Brussels, Belgium.
After the arrival of the official party, the color guard from the Naples Naval Junior Reserve Office Training Corps posted the colors, and Chaplain Capt. James Poe, CHC, USN delivered the invocation. Capt. Deverill then introduced the ceremony’s principal speaker, Vice Adm. David Brewer, USN, Commander, Military Sealift Command.
Also in attendance were Rear Adm. Stanley Bozin, USN, Commander, Navy Region Europe, along with Capt. Deverill’s parents, Col. Arthur Deverill, USA (Ret.) and his wife Kim—who had flown in from Falls Church, Va.—as well as Capt. Wright’s wife, Betty.
“We are here today to commemorate the leadership and accomplishments of Commodore Dirk Deverill and to welcome Capt. David Wright to one of MSC’s busiest area commands,” Admiral Brewer said. “MSC Europe is in the middle of everything—peacekeeping operations in eastern Europe, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and the global war on terrorism.”
Brewer then delivered the accolades for Capt. Deverill and the command that he led through challenging times, particularly during the build up of forces before Operation Iraqi Freedom. Deverill was commended for his visionary leadership in transitioning his command to a robust, ‘24-7,’ wartime operation, and in establishing a bunkering stop at Souda Bay, Greece, to provide fuel and supplies to hundreds of MSC ships transiting to and from the Arabian Gulf.
At the height of the build-up of forces prior to entering Iraq, about half of the 160-plus deployed MSC cargo ships were located in the MSC Europe area of responsibility. Brewer then presented Capt. Deverill with the Legion of Merit for his outstanding service to MSC.
In his remarks, Deverill praised the staff of MSC Europe calling them, “the right people in the right place,” adding, “I have never known another complete group of ‘we-know-we-can’s,’ and I am proud to have been associated with each one of you.”
Capt. Wright reports from his most recent shore duty in the Force Structure, Resources, and Assessment Directorate, Joint Staff (J-8), in Washington, D.C., serving as Senior Navy Analyst in the Program, Budget and Analysis Division, and as the Chief of the Combatant Command Liaison Branch in the Joint Capabilities Development Division.
Capt. Wright’s most recent assignment at sea was commanding officer of USS Robert G. Bradley (FFG 49). On patrol in the eastern Pacific, his ship seized nearly nine tons of cocaine being smuggled into the U.S., and was awarded the U.S. Coast Guard Meritorious Unit Commendation. Capt. Wright also earned two advanced degrees in financial management and national security and strategic studies. “Captain Deverill, thank you for a smooth turnover. You leave big shoes to fill, but I am excited by the prospect of commanding the organization you have taken such good care of for the past two years,” Wright said.
Deverill reports to the Office of the Secretary of Defense, U.S. Delegation to NATO, Brussels, Belgium.
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