SRF-JRMC bids farewell to Cmdr. Bill Manders

Picture (right) Captain Conrado K. Alejo, Jr. United States Navy

Story by Keiichi Adachi, CFAY Public Affairs

Capt. Conrad Alejo relieved Cmdr. Bill Manders as deputy commander of Ship Repair Facility and Japan Regional Maintenance Center (SRF-JRMC) Jan. 20.

Manders departed SRF-JRMC after having served as deputy commander since March 2009. During his tenure, he was at the forefront of numerous improvements enacted by SRF-JRMC.

During his farewell remarks, Manders stated, “My three years as the SRFJRMC deputy commander and Task Force 70 surface maintenance officer went by extremely fast.

The performance of all employees as a team of ship repair professionals getting the job done, often in the face of extreme adversity, was truly awe-inspiring.

They are the greatest group of individuals with whom I have had the pleasure to serve during my 30- year Navy career.”

Manders continued, “At SRF-JRMC we celebrated many happy times and also some sorrowful times, especially during the aftermath of the great east Japan earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear power plant crisis.

I think it’s fair to say that we Americans learned many valuable lessons from our Japanese hosts on the value of cooperation, shared responsibility for our fellow citizens, and maintaining one’s dignity in the face of adversity.”

During his farewell remarks, Manders said, “I can honestly say that my three years assigned to SRF-JRMC and living and working in Japan are among the highlights of my Navy career. I will miss Japan.”

Manders was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal in recognition of his many accomplishments at SRF-JRMC. His next assignment is at Commander, Naval Air Forces in San Diego, Calif., where he will serve as combat systems officer for the Navy’s Pacific Fleet aircraft carrier force. Alejo has served in the Navy since 1976, joining at the U.S. Naval Station in Subic Bay, Philippines.

First serving as an enlisted Sailor, he became an officer in 1988.

During his career, Alejo served onboard 11 ships. Most recently, he served as the Assistant Chief of Staff for Readiness, Maintenance and Training at Expeditionary Strike Group Seven in Sasebo, Japan, from October 2009 to November 2011.

“I am very grateful for the warm welcome I received when I reported onboard SRF-JRMC Yokosuka.

I am looking forward to being part of a great SRF Team and the opportunity to help Keep the 7th Fleet Operational Ready,” said Alejo, as well as, “living up to SRF - JRMC’s motto, ‘Nan Demo Dekimasu’ (we can do anything).”