NMCB 1 Change of Command

GULFPORT, MS, UNITED STATES

06.28.2016

Story by Petty Officer 1st Class Brannon Deugan 

Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 1

The ceremony is a military tradition that represents a formal transfer of authority and responsibility of a command from one commanding officer, Cmdr. Kemit Spears, to another, Cmdr. Lance Flood.
Spears served as the commanding officer since June 2014, in which time his command completed a deployment that spanned 29 detachments operating throughout Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and Pacific theaters in support of humanitarian and strategic Combatant Commander’s objectives. He led more than 750 Sailors in the execution of 50 projects, including the construction of the Shipboard Electronic Systems Evaluation Facility to support Fleet operations in Rota, Spain.
Under Spears, NMCB 1 was the first battalion to successfully execute the Optimized Fleet Response Plan which streamlined pre-deployment inspection requirements and increased readiness. He also was the first to lead multiple units in a joint expeditionary forces exercise during Exercise Bold Alligator 2014.
In a speech to the command, Spears expressed his gratitude to the Seabees who made his tour with NMCB 1 a successful one.
Another thing I’m immensely proud of you is that you refuse to never accept the status quo or doing something simply because ‘this is the way we’ve always done it,’” said Spears. “Let me encourage you to keep finding smarter and better ways to do things. Keep charging, keep fighting through adversity, have had no greater privilege or honor in 21 years of service than to serve as your Commanding Officer. I am humbled and inspired by you and bursting with pride at all you have accomplished in these two years. I cannot thank you enough.”
Spears received the Meritorious Service Medal from the guest speaker, Capt. Paul Ordenthal, commodore of Naval Construction Group TWO in Gulfport, Mississippi. Spears will now transfer to Naval Facilities Engineering Command Atlantic.
Flood recently transferred from Naval Facilities Engineering Command Far East where he served as the Public Works Officer for Naval Support Facility Diego Garcia.
“In this time of great global uncertainty, your service matters, your family matters to me, and the leadership of the United States in this global war that we fight every day matters to me,” said Flood. “So, I appreciate you for volunteering and I appreciate you for what you do. So humbled and I look forward to serving with you. To the families, thanks for allowing me the opportunity to serve with your Seabees.”

• Date Taken: 06.28.2016
• Date Posted: 06.28.2016 13:04
• Story ID: 202649
• Location: GULFPORT, MS, US