NAVAL SUPPORT FACILITY DEVESELU, Romania –
Cmdr. Carleigh Gregory relieved Cmdr. Robert Foster as U.S. Aegis Ashore Missile Defense System Romania (USAAMDSRO) commanding officer during a change of command ceremony held at Naval Support Facility (NSF) Deveselu, Romania, Dec. 9, 2025.
Foster assumed command in December 2024, and during his tenure, he maintained 100 percent mission readiness during the Israel-Iran 12-Day War. Additionally, he conducted continuous ballistic missile defense coverage for Europe and NATO across two named operations. Furthermore, he supported the subcommittee on the implementation of U.S.-Romania Bilateral Agreements and the annual High-Level Defense Group.
Foster was commissioned through the United States Naval Academy. His sea tours include: Strike and Force Protection Officer aboard USS Preble (DDG 88); Reactor Division Officer aboard USS George H. W. Bush (CVN 77); Operations Officer aboard USS The Sullivans (DDG 68); Reactor Electrical Assistant aboard USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72); Operations Officer aboard Destroyer Squadron Two and Executive Officer aboard USS Fort Lauderdale (LPD 28).
Foster’s next assignment is USS John F. Kennedy (CVN 79).
Gregory is a native of Virginia. She earned her commission from the United States Naval Academy in 2008. Her sea tours include: Electrical and Strike Officer aboard USS Decatur (DDG 73); Weapons Division, Navigator, and Assistant Operations Officer aboard USS Coronado (LCS 4); Weapons and Combat Systems Officer aboard USS Ross (DDG 71) and Material Readiness Officer for Destroyer Squadron 22. Most recently she served as C5I Officer aboard USS Bataan, deploying to 5th and 6th Fleet areas of responsibility with the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group Marine Expeditionary Unit (ARG/MEU), including operations in support of Prosperity Guardian in the Red Sea.
USAAMDSRO is under the operational control of the U.S. Navy’s 6th Fleet based in Naples, Italy and is part of the European Phased Adapted Approach, which protects NATO Allies and U.S. deployed forces in the region. This land-based missile defense facility is designed to detect, track, engage, and destroy ballistic missiles in flight outside the atmosphere. Its technology is nearly identical to and works in coordination with the systems used on the five forward-deployed Naval Forces Europe Aegis destroyers.
NSF Deveselu provides essential support to USAAMDSRO in core mission areas such as safety, security, and quality of life, and works jointly with the Romanian 99th Military Base to ensure the security and safety of the USAAMDSRO site.
U.S. 6th Fleet, headquartered in Naples, Italy, conducts the full spectrum of joint and naval operations, often in concert with allied and interagency partners, in order to advance U.S. national interests and security and stability in Europe and Africa.