KANDAHAR, Afghanistan - The Deputy Commander of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT), Rear Admiral Kevin D. Scott visited Seabees assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 15, Detachment Kandahar, April 19, 2013.
Scott and his staff talked with the Seabees as they ate lunch before he went on to address a larger group about how future challenges would be met and answered their questions about the impact of the budget sequestration.
“The U.S. Navy is committed to supporting a forward deployed force,” Scott said. “We are going to continue to focus on training and maintenance.”
Scott went on to tell the Seabees that even with sequestration, operations would continue. He went on to add that even though the size of the operating forces may shrink, the capabilities would remain the same.
“We’re not going to see a drastic reduction of people,” Scott said. “Many sailors will still have the opportunity to serve.”
Seabees of NMCB 15 responded to the visit with positive feedback.
“It was nice to have someone of that rank talking to you instead of just at you,” said Equipment Operator 2nd Class (EO2) Keith Perreault. “He was really speaking to us on our level so we could understand it. That was really great.”
“I found the information useful,” said Equipment Operator 1st Class (EO1) Scott Cruikshank. “He told us where the U.S. Navy is going and what the Seabees are going to do.”
“You’re not hearing different rumors from different people,” said Cruikshank. “You get the information from the source.”
NMCB 15 is currently mobilized in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and is an expeditionary element of U.S. Naval Forces that support various units worldwide through national force readiness, civil engineering, humanitarian assistance, and building and maintaining infrastructure. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Daniel Garas)