Navy logistics division changes commanders in Bahrain

Command responsible for providing air and sea logistics to the U.S. Navy in the Middle East changed leadership last week in Bahrain.

Navy Capt. Stephen H. Kelley accepted command of Sealift Logistics Command Central from Navy Capt. Anthony H. Dropp, who has held the position since July 2007.

In his new role as SEALOGCENT's commander, Kelley will also serve as commander of Task Force 53 and Logistics Forces, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command. In these roles, he is responsible for coordinating the air and sea delivery of people, mail, cargo, fuel, ammunition and provisions to a fleet of more than 40 U.S. and coalition ships operating in Middle Eastern waters.

Under Dropp's leadership, the command oversaw the distribution of more than 137 million gallons of fuel to ships in theater as well as more than 877 million gallons of fuel to Department of Defense fuel distribution depots. The command also supported more than 1,600 air logistics missions and managed a daily average of 11 ships and 10 aircraft in theater.

Dropp will now report to the Defense Intelligence Agency and Defense Language Institute in Washington, D.C., where he will receive training in preparation to assume duties as the Naval Attach in Beijing in the summer of 2010.