Capt. Matthew S. Feely Assumes Mantle At FISC Yokosuka Change of Command
By H. Sam Samuelson, FISC Office of Corporate Communication


(Right) Capt. Matthew S. Feely assumes command of FISC Yokosuka, relieving Capt. Michael Arnold as Commander Fleet and Industrial Supply Centers Rear Adm. Mark F. Heinrich looks on during the FISC Yokosuka change of command ceremony Aug. 13. Photo by Kazuyuki Takagi

8月13日に執り行われたFISC横須賀司令官交代式で、米海軍補給センター本部司令官マーク・ハインリック少将立会いの下、マイケル・アーノルド大佐に代わりマシュー・フィーリー大佐（敬礼、右）が司令官に就任。写真：高木和之



(Right) FISC Yokosuka Commanding Officer Capt. Matthew Feely and Capt. Mike Arnold cut a ceremonial cake together during the reception following the FISC change of command. Photo by Kazuyuki Takagi

FISC横須賀司令官交代式の後に開かれたレセプションで、共にケーキカットをするFISC横須賀司令官マシュー・フィーリー大佐（右）とマイケル・アーノルド大佐。写真：高木和之

Commander Fleet and Industrial Supply Centers (COMFISCS), San Diego, Rear Adm. Mark F. Heinrich officiated during the change of command ceremony in which Capt. Matthew S. Feely assumed command of Fleet and Industrial Center (FISC) Yokosuka, Japan, relieving Capt. Michael Arnold Aug. 13.

More than 200 guests attended the ceremony, including local senior flag officers, distinguished uniformed leaders of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) and Mayor of Yokosuka City YuutoYoshida.

“Today we honor two outstanding officers as the mantle of leadership of FISC Yokosuka is passed,” Heinrich said during opening remarks. “Capt. Arnold has ensured that FISC Yokosuka is postured as a key strategic logistics enabler for all operational and contingency plan operations in the Pacific theater.

“Capt. Matt Feely’s expertise in acquisition and operational fleet logistics, as well as his joint logistics experience, make him the logical and absolute best choice to serve as FISC Yokosuka’s next commanding officer,” Heinrich concluded.

Arnold had served as the FISC Yokosuka commanding officer since July, 2008.

Feely, a 1983 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, most recently served with the office of the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) as acting director and deputy director of the Supply, Ordnance and Logistics Operations Division.

“Please know that I am humbled to be here, and I will work hard to fulfill my duties,” Feely said – not in English, but in Japanese, to the spontaneous and polite applause of the JMSDF officers and local Japanese employees present.

“I deeply respect the country in which I will be serving and appreciate the graciousness of the Japanese people,” he said. “With the few words I spoke in the Japanese language, I hoped to convey two truths. The first was to express – if not eloquently – my appreciation and reverence of the Japanese culture and people. The second was to demonstrate my commitment to learning and growing as the commanding officer of FISC Yokosuka and its honored, expert and dedicated workforce.”

Feely assumes command of FISC, “bringing a wealth of knowledge from three sea tours including supply officer assignments aboard a ballistic missile submarine, an attack submarine and an amphibious transport dock ship,” Heinrich said.

Feely has earned two master’s degrees and holds a doctorate degree in decision analysis. He has served as a professor of both Decision Sciences and Economics at the Naval Postgraduate School and the Naval Academy.

Sea duty, joint and coalition assignments include: deputy director, Logistics Plans and Operations, North American Aerospace Defense Command and the United States Northern Command; financial planner and program analyst, Office of the Secretary of Defense; financial controls advisor, Republic of Georgia; logistics officer, Iceland Defense Force; logistics operations officer, Administrative Support Unit, Bahrain; supply officer, USS Ulysses S. Grant (SSBN 631); supply officer, USS Providence (SSN 719); and assistant supply officer, USS Austin (LPD 4).

Shore assignments include: director, Business Office and Performance Measurement, Contracts Directorate, Naval Air Systems Command; professor of Decision Sciences-Risk Management and professor of economics, Naval Postgraduate School and U.S. Naval Academy; naval acquisition contracts officer intern, Naval Air Systems Command.

Feely is a member of the Acquisition Professional Community, and is a joint qualified officer. He has earned supply warfare qualifications in submarine and surface warfare, and his military decorations include: the Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal (four awards), Meritorious Service Medal (two awards), Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (3 awards) and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (2 awards) among unit and campaign commendations.