Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Far East welcomed a new commanding officer during a change of command ceremony on board Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Japan, July 31.
Capt. Kevin Bartoe, CEC, USN, relieved Capt. Michelle La Duca as NAVFAC Far East commanding officer and regional engineer for Commander, Navy Region Japan, Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Korea and Singapore Area Coordinator.
Bartoe will lead approximately 2,000 military, U.S. Civil Service and host nation employees in Japan, Korea, Singapore and Diego Garcia. NAVFAC Far East delivers more than $700 million annually in facilities management, public works and construction contracting services.
Bartoe has served the Navy since 1992. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Virginia Tech and Master of Science in Civil Engineering from Texas A&M. His most recent assignment was executive officer at NAVFAC Washington, D.C and deputy regional engineer for Naval District Washington.
La Duca will continue her Navy career with NAVFAC Pacific as vice commander.
NAVFAC Pacific Commander Rear Adm. Bret Muilenburg spoke at the ceremony and presented La Duca with the Legion of Merit (gold star in lieu of second award).
La Duca provided leadership in support of the relocation of littoral combat ships to Singapore. She pushed to implement Safe Drinking Water Act quality water and oversaw pier and airfield upgrades at Far East installations. In 2014, NAVFAC Far East was awarded Secretary of the Navy Energy and Water Management awards at all six installations in Japan for meeting Federal, Department of Defense and Navy goals.
Image: US Navy