Coastal Riverine Squadron THREE holds change of command

CORONADO, CA, UNITED STATES

10.10.2014

Courtesy Story

Navy Expeditionary Combat Command

CORONADO, Calif. – Coastal Riverine Squadron (CRS) THREE held a change of command ceremony at Naval Outlying Landing Field, Imperial Beach, California, Oct. 10.

During the ceremony, Cmdr. Gregory A. Meyer relieved Cmdr. Michael J. Dillender Sr. as commanding officer of CRS-3.

Dillender assumed command of CRS-3 in August 2014 and led the squadron during a major organizational realignment, involving the disestablishment and absorption of a Riverine detachment from Yorktown, Virginia. During his tenure, CRS-3 conducted security operations for U.S. Navy submarines utilizing the Southeast Alaska Acoustic Measurement Facility (SEAFAC) for underway acoustic trials.

Dillender also led the squadron in preparations to conduct security operations for Exercise Pacific Horizon, testing the U.S Navy and Marine Corps’ ability to move combat equipment from ship to shore without the benefit of a developed port.

"It has been a great honor to have served with the professionals of CRS-3 during my short tenure as the interim commanding officer,” said Dillender. “The talent pool here runs very deep, and I am absolutely certain that the squadron will continue to thrive during the remainder of its training cycle and throughout next year's overseas deployment to multiple locations."

Dillender was commissioned through the NROTC program at Vanderbilt University in 1994. He returns to his current assignment as deputy commodore of Coastal Riverine Group TWO in Portsmouth, Virginia.

Meyer was commissioned an ensign in 1995 and is a graduate of the United States Naval Academy.

"It is truly an honor to take command of almost 500 men and women of the Coastal Riverine Force,” said Meyer. “We will continue our history of excelling at underway and security operations while providing forces wherever they are required."

The Coastal Riverine Force (CRF) operates in harbors, rivers, bays, across the littorals and ashore.

The primary mission of CRF is to conduct maritime security operations across all phases of military operations by defending high-value assets, critical maritime infrastructure, ports and harbors both inland and on coastal waterways against enemies and when commanded conduct offensive combat operations.

Learn more about Navy CRF, check out our Facebook page:
www.facebook.com/CoastalRiverineForce

• Date Taken: 10.10.2014
• Date Posted: 10.16.2014 12:51
• Story ID: 145221
• Location: CORONADO, CA, US