Seabee Battalion Bids Farewell to Commanding Officer, Welcomes Another

Photo By Chief Petty Officer Brannon Deugan | GULFPORT, Mississippi (June 29, 2018) Cmdr. Lance Flood, left, tranfers authority and responsibility of Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 1 to Cmdr. Michael Meno during a change of command ceremony aboard Naval Construction Battalion Center, Gulfport, Mississippi, June 29, 2018. Flood served as the commanding officer of NMCB 1 since June 2016, overseeing a global deployment that spanned 36 countries and 51 individual sites in support of five unified commanders. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Brannon Deugan)  

GULFPORT, MS, UNITED STATES

06.29.2018

Story by Petty Officer 1st Class Brannon Deugan 

Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 1

Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 1 held a change-of-command ceremony aboard Naval Construction Battalion Center Gulfport, Mississippi, June 29, 2018.
Cmdr. Michael Meno relieved Cmdr. Lance Flood as the commanding officer of NMCB 1 during the traditional military ceremony that represents a formal transfer of authority and responsibility within a command.
Flood served as the commanding officer since June 2016, in which time his command completed a deployment that saw 760 Sailors deployed globally to 36 countries and 51 individual sites in support of five unified commanders while completing 18 projects valued at $9.6 million, ten joint fleet exercises, two mobilization exercises, and the establishment of two new Fleet-priority detachment sites in Israel and Ukraine.
Under Flood, NMCB 1 improved performance in 15 evaluated programs while refining all significant capability areas that prepared the battalion to “Fight Tonight.” Flood oversaw enhancements in deployment sustainment training, implemented a major readiness improvement in the European Theater, and significantly expanded contingency communication readiness in Europe and the Pacific.
In a speech to the command, Flood expressed his gratitude to the Seabees who made his tour with NMCB 1 a successful one.
“The truth of the matter is that this is the easiest and far best job I’ve ever had. I get to take credit for the hard work of the many professionals you see in the audience today and some you don’t because they are out working for our nation,” said Flood. “It has been my honor to serve as Commanding Officer.”
Flood received the Meritorious Service Medal from the guest speaker, Capt. Tim DeWitt, commander of Naval Construction Group 2 in Gulfport, Mississippi. Flood will now transfer to Navy Expeditionary Combat Command.
Meno recently transferred from the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations where he served as the Shore Readiness Analyst for the Programming Division.
“To the men and women of NMCB 1, I am extremely proud and honored to become part of the first and Finest once again,” said Meno. “NMCB 1 has always had a special place in my heart and I am so excited to be back. I look forward to continuing the NMCB 1 legacy together.
“I cannot express in words the honor and privilege it is to be here as the Commanding Officer,” continued Meno. “I look forward to accomplishing our mission together, taking care of each other and serving with pride each and every day.”

• Date Taken: 06.29.2018
• Date Posted: 06.29.2018 13:39
• Story ID: 282848
• Location: GULFPORT, MS, US