YOKOSUKA, Japan - Command of U.S. Naval Forces and Navy Region Japan changed hands during a change of command ceremony August 23.

Rear Adm. Terry Kraft relieved Rear Adm. Dan Cloyd during the ceremony which was held at the Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka Officers Club.

Kraft becomes the 32nd commander of U.S. Naval Forces Japan (CNFJ) and also serves as Commander, Navy Region Japan (CNRJ) and Commander, Naval Component, U.S. Forces Japan.

Commander, U.S. Forces Japan, Lieutenant General Sam Angelella, presided over the ceremony and praised Cloyd for his service during his term.

"Through Adm. Cloyd's diplomacy and strategic vision of Naval Forces in Japan and the Pacific, he has strengthened the United States and Japan alliance and improved mission readiness in the region," said Angelella.

During Cloyd's detachment speech he expressed his gratitude to the men and women who make up the CNFJ/CNRJ team and paid tribute to the many people who have helped him achieve all he has.

"There are many thousands of men and women I've served with to whom I owe a great deal, not only here in Japan but throughout my 34 years in uniform," said Cloyd. "Utterly inspiring people who have contributed to all that I am, all that I've achieved and all that team Japan has achieved. I've thanked many of them and many of you prior to today however, mere words cannot convey the profound gratitude I have for all who have done so much in support of me, 'Team Japan,' the fleet, the Sailors and their families."

The son of a Navy captain, Rear Adm. Kraft graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1981 and was designated a naval flight officer in 1982. He holds a Master's degree in Political Science from Auburn University at Montgomery and is a graduate of the Navy Nuclear Power Program and MIT Seminar XXI. He was also a federal executive fellow at Harvard University Kennedy School of Government 1999-2000.

After officially assuming command, Kraft addressed the group and expressed his happiness with returning to Japan.

"I'd like to thank Dan and Susan Cloyd for giving Mary and I such a great welcome back to Japan. It's fantastic to be back in the land of the rising sun. Despite the rigors of moving around the world, the easy part has been coming back to the great people and unique culture [here]. When I commanded USS Ronald Reagan, I had the pleasure to exercise with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) at sea. I was immensely impressed with their tactical capabilities and professionalism. It is my great honor to nurture and support the strong partnership between the U.S. Navy, JMSDF and the government of Japan."

Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Japan's mission is to support the ships and personnel of the U.S. Seventh Fleet. Its area of responsibility encompasses six naval shore activities in Japan and the Indo-Pacific region: Naval Air Facility Misawa, Naval Air Facility Atsugi, Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Fleet Activities Sasebo, Fleet Activities Okinawa and Navy Support Facility Diego Garcia in the British Indian Ocean Territory.