CEAC-2020-04-April

NAVAL STATION ROTA, Spain — Capt. Michael Meno, commanding officer, Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 1, salutes Capt. Curtis Larson,
commodore, Naval Expeditionary Task Force Europe and Africa (CTF 68) during a Relief in Place/Transfer of Authority ceremony at Camp Mitchell on Naval
Station Rota, Spain, Feb. 21, 2020. NMCB 1 assumed authority of Seabee operations in the U.S. 5th, 6th and 7th Fleet areas of operation from NMCB 11.
NMCB 1 is forward-deployed to execute construction, humanitarian assistance, and theater security cooperation in the U.S. 5th, 6th, and 7th Fleet areas
of operation. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Caine Storino)
After a year of executing a rigorous homeport training
plan, Seabees of NMCB 1 are ready to prove themselves
forward-deployed and represent the Seabees. Many of them
have been given the opportunity to step into leadership roles
for the first time.
“As a project supervisor for one of the projects, I’m looking
forward to making progress with it,” said Equipment Operator
2nd Class Johanna Pasutin, from La Habra, Calif. “I’ve
never been in charge of a crew and we have a lot of new
crew members, but it’s exciting to challenge ourselves and
see what we can accomplish.”
“I’m very excited to have the opportunity to further develop
myself and others,” said Builder 2nd Class Erik Rau, from
Appleton, Wis. “Overseas we have each other to rely on, so
this deployment I want to reinforce the personal connection
amongst my peers and foster positive communication up and
down the chain [of command].”
For many of NMCB 1’s Seabees it is their first deployment,
and they are excited to experience life in the battalion overseas.
“Serving is something I always wanted to do, and I wanted
to be a part of the Seabees,” said Construction Mechanic
Constructionman Seth Vanausdoll, from Florence, S.C. “On
deployment I look forward to doing my job, earning my pins,
and seeing Spain.”
During this deployment, the goal for Command Master Chief
James Brock, command master chief of NMCB 1, is to ensure
his battalion completes all tasks assigned by AOR commanders
through teamwork and camaraderie.
“I want all of our troops to learn and grow as a team so
when the time comes for us to perform, we do,” said Brock.
“I want us to stay safe and take care of each other, to do the
very best day in and day out.”
Both battalions are homeported in Naval Construction Battalion
Center Gulfport, Miss., and conduct forward-deployed
construction, humanitarian assistance, and theater security
cooperation in the U.S. 5th, 6th and 7th Fleet areas of operation.
NMCB 1 has assumed forward-deployed responsibility
while NMCB 11 will transfer back to Gulfport to conduct
training operations and spend time with families and loved
ones.
For more information on NMCB 1 and their impacts around
the world, visit NMCB ONE – The First and The Finest on
Facebook.
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| Chief Engineer