Lt. Cmdr. Ronald R. Yniguez relieved Cmdr. Doug Gabos as officer in charge during a change of charge ceremony at Expeditionary Combat Camera (EXPCOMBATCAM) in Norfolk, April 29.
Gabos assumed the duties as OIC in September 2012 and worked to ensure EXPCOMBATCAM Sailors followed four tenets: Safety, Leadership, Training, and Teamwork.
"I remain in awe of the Sailors and civilians who work here at EXPCOMBATCAM; your level of professionalism, determination and drive is unparalleled," said Gabos. "The scope of our missions can be daunting at times, but what you all bring to the fight each and every day is enormous. Your commitment, initiative, and loyalty are what have helped us achieve so much."
Gabos' next assignment will be at Commander, Navy Reserve Forces Command where he will serve as the force public affairs officer. Prior to his tenure at EXPCOMBATCAM, Gabos served as the executive officer at Navy Public Affairs Support Element, Norfolk.
EXPCOMBATCAM forces perform unique and highly specialized missions with visual information documentation capabilities supporting all phases of an operation or campaign. Personnel maintain qualifications enabling them to operate with air crew, special operations forces and military divers.
EXPCOMBATCAM teams have the technological capability to rapidly transmit imagery during fast-moving operations and support forward-operating maneuver elements.
Capt. Paul J. Odenthal, commander, Naval Construction Group 2, served as the guest speaker for the ceremony.
"He has commanded this unit and has done a great job," said Odenthal. "To be successful in a mission like this and have a crew that goes out and captures such great imagery and does what this command does takes vision, leadership, and drive. Doug has done a fantastic job of that."
Odenthal presented the Meritorious Service Medal to Gabos following his remarks.
Yniguez, who worked as the operations officer for NPASE before serving as EXPCOMBATCAM assistant officer in charge, read his orders and assumed command OIC before addressing the guests in attendance and his new crew of officers, enlisted Sailors, and civilians.
"I can't say enough about the support and mentorship you gave me during my time as your AOIC," said Yniguez. "The work the crew here at Combat Camera does is impeccable and I look forward to working with you all in the future."
For more news from Expeditionary Combat Camera, visit http://www.navy.mil/.
