Naval Support Facility (NSF) Deveselu held its first change-of-command ceremony in Deveselu, Romania, Jan. 12.

Capt. James Craycraft relieved Capt. William Garren as commanding officer of the Aegis Ashore Missile Defense Facility (AAMDF) during the ceremony.

Rear Adm. John C. "Jack" Scorby Jr., commander, Navy Region Europe, Africa, Southwest Asia, presided over the ceremony.

"[Garren] has harnessed the collective energy, enthusiasm, and determination inherent in the extraordinary team that has built this base to meet every milestone we set for developing the infrastructure to support Aegis Ashore," Scorby said during the ceremony. "He led the transformation of this installation from a temporary camp to the permanent facilities our Sailors enjoy today."

Garren assumed command in October 2014 when the installation was established and was the first commanding officer. During his tenure, he oversaw the construction of the AAMDF, moving it from a former air base to temporary facilities, and finally to the construction of permanent buildings at an installation that houses the Aegis Ashore Missile Defense System (AAMDS).

Garren stated his time in command at NSF Deveselu was the hardest job he ever had.

"We set up part of a defense shield for Europe and that's giant," he said. "We worked through so many adversities, but that's building a new base. You start with nothing, and you build something."

Craycraft comes to NSF Deveselu following his most recent tour as commanding officer of Navy Munitions Command Mobile Mine Assembly Group in San Diego. Craycraft enlisted in the Navy in 1979, as a gunner's mate, and was commissioned under the Limited Duty Officer program in 1991. Some of his previous assignments include: combat systems test officer aboard USS Port Royal (CG-73); officer in charge, Naval Air Station North Island, Coronado, California; Maintenance, Material, and Management (3M) officer aboard USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74); and executive officer, Training Support Center San Diego.

As the first Navy shore installation commissioned since Everett, Washington, in 1987, NSF Deveselu is co-located in south-central Romania with the Romanian 99th Military Base. NSF Deveselu provides installation facilities, resources, and services to support and enable its tenant command, AAMDS.

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