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.

"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.

Jones shared with the audience his thoughts on a day in the life at the base and commented on his past three years as commanding officer for the installation.

"It has been an honor and privilege serving as the commanding officer for Naval Base San Diego," said Jones. "During my tour, I've had the opportunity to work with the best group of professionals in my career. Together we achieved new levels of efficiency, service and support, with tough fiscal constraints and belt-tightening, and often competing priorities. In spite of that, we continued to enhance the quality of life for service members, their families and our civilian personnel."

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. 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.

Jones will go to Navy Region Southwest in San Diego, where he will serve as the chief of staff for the regional commander.

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. Early in his career, he attended the Broadened Opportunity for Officer Selection and Training (BOOST) Program in San Diego and deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom on an individual assignment supporting the Army 304th Sustainment Brigade. His awards include the Meritorious Service Medal (three awards), Navy Commendation Medal (six awards), the Army Commendation Medal, Navy Achievement Medal (two awards) and the Humanitarian Service Medal, to name a few.

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