NAVAL AIR FACILITY, Misawa — Capt. Christopher A. Rodeman took command of Naval Air Facility Misawa during a change-of-command ceremony Friday.

The outgoing commander, Capt. James D. Haugen, lauded his sailors for making his three-year tour a success.

“It has truly been a humbling experience to lead such an accomplished and dedicated team of Sailors, civilians and Japanese employees,” said Haugen, according to a Navy news release.

The 26-year Navy veteran said NAF Misawa’s response to the March 11 earthquake and tsunamis was outstanding.

“Overcoming power outages, 20 hour work days, and constant concern over the safety of their families, the NAF Misawa team excelled in every aspect of the dynamic recovery efforts that followed,” Haugen is quoted in the release.

Haugen will next serve as the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps Program commander and professor of naval science at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Rodeman, a 23-year veteran, comes to Misawa from Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, where he served as special assistant to commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet.

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