2004 Speeches
Change of Command for Capt. Richard F. Gonzalez
Remarks by Ambassador Frank Lavin
July 23, 2004
Admiral Quinn, distinguished Singapore guests, colleagues from the military attaché corps, shipmates, and friends, thank you for gathering here for the change of command of the US Naval Regional Contracting Center, Singapore.
We are here to bid farewell to Captain Richard Gonzalez and to welcome to Captain Dave Fitzgerald. This occasion is a useful point at which to stop and review some of the NRCC’s accomplishments.
Most of us here have at least a general idea of what the NRCC does, because it touches all of our lives. But I am not sure we fully appreciate the scope of its mission and responsibilities.
We might know on a personal level that the NRCC is responsible for all of our installation management in Singapore, Fleet Post Offices in the region, personal property shipments, the Navy Exchange, and Morale Welfare and Recreation events. This is vital support for service members and the embassy community, and we are grateful for this help.
But beyond the personal level, we should also appreciate what the NRCC does for the U.S. strategic position in this part of the world. Under Captain Gonzalez’ command, the NRCC has Detachments in Hong Kong, Jakarta and Manila, though its remit runs from Hawaii to the Indian Ocean. In procurement and ship repair alone, the NRCC works in more than 50 ports in over 15 countries across 10 time zones. It is responsible for support of the 7th Fleet, transiting ships, and Diego Garcia. The 7th Fleet by itself would rank comfortably in the top five navies of the world.
I think this reflects the strengths of Richard Gonzalez as a Supply Corps Officer. Any institution is only as strong as the men and women behind it. Any fleet is only as good as the NRCC that supports it. In 1775, before our Founding Fathers established the United States, they established the Navy Supply Corps. There wouldn’t be a United States if there were not a Supply Corps. Over these past 200 plus years, Supply Officers have become multinational business managers, responsible for financial management, inventory control, merchandising, transportation, procurement, data processing, and personal services.
Let me give you a few statistics from right here in Singapore. Last year, over 2,800 contracts were processed; Over 6,200 containers were moved through seaports; about 17,000 passengers and 3,500 tons of cargo were loaded on almost 800 Air Mobility Command aircraft; over 1 million pounds of mail was handled; and 700 inbound and outbound personal property moves took place. Captain, it seems to me you didn’t have too many slow afternoons.
These figures aren’t just numbers on a page. These actions don’t take place unless there is a team -- committed, disciplined and well-led – that makes these results happen.
The upshot of all this hard work? We got what we needed here in Singapore to do our job. The 7th Fleet got what it needed to do its job. And most important, U.S. forces in Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom got what they needed to do their job. We have challenges ahead of us in both these campaigns, but we are seeing more and more good news from the field, with elections scheduled in both countries, increasingly capable local forces, two brutal tyrannies overthrown, and terrorists denied the use of two strategic countries.
All of this success would not have been possible without the friendship and support we receive from Singapore. Because the business Capt Gonzalez is in is unpredictable, with enormous operational requirements and short-notice deployments, it requires trust and flexibility from our friends on the Singapore side. And I can tell you, this is something we always receive, with characteristic graciousness. We are deeply appreciative of this support. But Captain Gonzalez has a secret weapon in this regard, because on his staff he has 53 Singaporeans. It is not always clear, in this regard, exactly who is working for whom.
Singapore knows, as the U.S. knows, that a relationship can only be sustained if there is mutual benefit, and we all agree this relationship is win-win. At the base of the friendship and good will is a strong convergence of views about how to promote stability in the region. And beyond philosophical commonalities, it is not irrelevant to note that the NRCC contributes some $150 million annually to the Singapore economy.
The contributions go beyond the tangible. For example, Capt. Gonzalez helped create an environmental program in Sembawang for the control and disposal of hazardous waste. And if I may add a personal note in this regard, I am grateful for the NRCC hosting our annual 4th of July celebrations, with thousands of Americans and Singaporeans participating.
We also will miss Captain Gonzalez because of his family. His father, the superbly named Frank Gonzalez has also been a familiar fixture in the community, as well as an enthusiastic supporter of his son. Frank Gonzalez is also career navy, retiring as a Chief Petty Officer. Between father and son, some people here might wonder who works harder in the Navy, a Captain or a Chief. Well I can tell you the answer. You are all wrong. The hardest working person is Debbie, the navy wife. Debbie, you have added enormously to our community here and we will be poorer for your absence.
Captain Gonzalez will be departing US Naval Regional Contracting Center, Singapore for the position of Comptroller at US Naval Forces Central Command, Bahrain.
Captain Dave Fitzgerald, our incoming CO of NRCC Singapore is also a career Navy Supply Corps Officer. He most recently served as Deputy Commander for Contracting Management at the Naval Supply Systems Command Headquartered in Mechanicsburg, PA. And don’t give him any back talk, because he is a graduate of The Citadel.
Captain Fitzgerald, welcome aboard. Captain Gonzalez, fair winds and following seas.