Capt. Roy Love relieved Capt. Curt Jones as commanding officer of Naval Base San Diego (NBSD) during a change of command ceremony Aug. 4.
Rear Adm. Markham K. Rich , commander, Navy Region Southwest presided over the event.
During the ceremony, Jones was presented with the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding service as commanding officer from August 2013 to August 2016.
Prior to taking command of Naval Base San Diego, Capt. Roy Love served on the Joint Chiefs of Staff as a division chief under the deputy director for Regional Operations.
“Curt came here with an unmatched combination of operational and installation expertise, ready to lead this Navy city of 38,000 people,” said Rich during his opening remarks. “For the past three years, he has led Naval Base San Diego in supporting the fleet, fighter and family, and he’s done an exceptional job with a simply unbelievable operational tempo.”
As commanding officer for the largest installation in the Pacific Fleet, Jones supported over 38,700 ship berth days, more than 2,700 ship movements, 77 deployers, 71 homecomings, 39 visiting foreign ship visits, 19 homeport shifts and eight ship decommissionings.
He was recognized for distinguishing himself by overseeing an installation valued at more than $6.5 billion dollars. He led a team of over 500 Sailors and more than 1,200 Department of the Navy civilians in the execution of a $100 million annual budget for the operation and support of 21 product lines, 58 ships and 156 shore tenant commands.