Capt. Kevin M. Robinson was relieved by Capt. Hans E. Lynch as commander, Military Sealift Command Atlantic (MSCLANT) during a change of command ceremony held at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story aboard USNS City of Bismarck (T-EPF 9), Aug. 17.

Robinson will assume duties as chief of staff for MSC’s headquarters.

“Any success enjoyed by MSCLANT in our efforts to ‘bend the curve’ and be ready to fight if called upon are a result of a team effort and tremendous support from many people and organizations,” said Robinson.

Robinson, a native of Chicago, Illinois, assumed command of MSCLANT in 2017 maintaining daily oversight of all MSC ships in the Western Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico performing missions from combat logistics to strategic sealift.

“The U.S. Navy performs change of command ceremonies for three reasons: to acknowledge the sanctity of command, to uphold U.S. Navy regulations and to celebrate the achievements of outgoing leader and the command they led,” according to Rear Adm. Dee L. Mewbourne, commander, Military Sealift Command and the ceremony’s guest speaker.

“Change of command ceremonies are a bitter-sweet event,” added Mewbourne. “We are saying goodbye to someone who has done an enormous amount of work and is truly vested in the command. At the same time, the outgoing commanding officer now has a relief who comes in, assumes command and continues the efforts of the organization onward and upward.”   

During his tenure, Robinson directed 29 combat logistics forces ship evolutions, including 11 deployments and 18 major fleet exercises, and oversaw combat logistics force ship deployments to support the Navy’s carrier strike groups. Robinson also led MSCLANT ships and shore facilities through 17 named storms, 10 hurricanes and six major hurricanes, and in 2017 he was embedded as mission commander on the hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) after the ship deployed to Puerto Rico to provide humanitarian aid and disaster relief in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria.

Robinson enlisted in the Navy in 1979, rising to the rank of chief petty officer and commissioning in 1990 through the Enlisted Commissioning Program. At sea, Robinson served on numerous assignments including commanding officer of the rescue and salvage ship USS Grapple (ARS 53) and the guided missile destroyer USS Mason (DDG 87). Prior to serving as commander, MSCLANT, Robinson served as plans chief and security assistance Navy section chief, Office of Security Cooperation Iraq from March 2016 until March 2017.

“I would like to thank everyone who made my time as MSCLANT’s commander both professionally and personally rewarding,” said Robinson. “Today, as we speak, there are 36 ships which the MSCLANT staff is responsible for. You have demonstrated extensive flexibility and determination to keep our fleet going.”

Following the change of command ceremony, Lynch assumed duties as commander, Military Sealift Command Atlantic.

Prior to taking command of MSCLANT, Lynch served as commanding officer of rotational Mine Counter Measure Crew Swerve aboard the mine countermeasures ships USS Sentry (MCM 3) and USS Gladiator (MCM 11). From 2012-2013, he was the final commanding officer of the guided missile frigate USS Thatch (FFG 43).

MSC is represented by five geographic area commands (Atlantic, Pacific, Europe, Middle East and Far East), which exercise tactical control of all assigned forces. The area command staffs are primarily responsible for the execution of strategic sealift missions. MSC area commanders are Navy captains who serve as the primary points of contact for MSC customers and numbered fleet commanders in their respective areas. These area commanders also serve as the MSC commander’s direct link to MSC ships, providing maintenance oversight, logistics coordination and other needed services.

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