Chief of Navy Reserve Vice Adm. Luke M. McCollum and Force Master Chief C.J. Mitchell spent Christmas with Sailors deployed to Camp Lemonnier (CLDJ) Dec. 25-26.

McCollum's focus was to assess the needs of Reserve Sailors and their families since taking the helm as Chief of Navy Reserve Sept. 26, 2015, from Vice Adm. Robin R. Braun.

The visit included area of responsibility briefings from Commander, CLDJ, Capt. James H. Black and Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) Deputy Commander Rear Adm. William W. Wheeler and tours of Coastal Riverine Squadron (CRS) 11, CLDJ's Expeditionary Medical Facility (EMF), and Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 11.

"Hearing from your leader at Camp Lemonnier, I am highly impressed with the role in which Reservists serve to accomplish the mission here in Africa," said McCollum.

Members of CRS-11 greeted McCollum during a tour led by Cmdr. Keith Fernandez, and he addressed the squadron with his vision to support Sailors at home, as well as in their deployed environments.

"At the Pentagon we hear about the important work you do here to maintain a heightened level of security for U.S. vessels within the Port of Djibouti," McCollum stated. "Your individual efforts contribute to a team that is highly regarded by your commanding officers and evident with the Sailors before me being recognized for their accomplishments."

A tour of Camp Lemonnier's EMF was led by Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Robert Fisher and Officer-in-Charge Capt. John D. York.

"The capabilities of the EMF have evolved to address the needs of service members," said Fisher. "We not only treat patients, but have a robust preventative outreach program to keep all those assigned to Camp Lemonnier healthy, both physically and mentally."

During a tour with NMCB-11, Lt. Cmdr. Patrick Hungerford provided a brief presentation outlining his personnel, construction projects, and humanitarian efforts since arriving at Camp Lemonnier.

"I am very impressed with what you have built here, not only roads and buildings, but relationships," said McCollum. "We are taking back your comments and experiences from this mobilization to improve the IA (individual augmentee) process."

Camp Lemonnier provides, operates, and sustains superior service in support of combat readiness along with security of ships and aircraft detachments and personnel for regional and combat command requirements, enabling operations for the Horn of Africa while fostering positive U.S.-African nation relations. Camp Lemonnier enables the forward operations and responsiveness of U.S. and allied forces in support of Navy Region, Europe, Africa, Southwest Asia's mission to provide services to the fleet, fighter, and family.

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For more news from Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, visit http://www.navy.mil/.