Lieutenant Assumes Command in New Position in Coastal Riverine Force

Photo By Lt.Cmdr. Kara Handley | 190510-N-UP025-005 CORONADO, Calif., (May 10, 2019) Cmdr. William Swinford pins Lt. Antionne Winston with a command pin as he assumes command of Coastal Riverine Squadron Three Bravo Company Crew One during an assumption of command ceremony onboard Naval Amphibious Base Coronado. Winston is the second ever naval officer to assume command of a Mk VI patrol boat and its crew. The new Mk VI patrol boat command-at-sea billets are one of two new opportunities for Mark VI leadership in the Coastal Riverine Force. The Coastal Riverine Force provides a core capability to defend designated high value assets throughout the green and blue-water environment and providing forces worldwide in an integrated, joint and combined theater of operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Lt. Kara Handley/Released)  

SAN DIEGO, CA, UNITED STATES

05.10.2019

Story by Lt. Kara Handley 

Maritime Expeditionary Security Group One

Lt. Antionne Winston, from Ozark, Alabama, became the Navy’s second officer to assume command of one of the Coastal Riverine Force’s new Mark VI patrol boat command-at-sea billets in a ceremony today onboard Naval Amphibious Base Coronado.

Capt. Michael Ray, Coastal Riverine Group One commodore, provided the keynote remarks for the ceremony.

“The Mk VI program does not enjoy the well-worn paths of destroyers or amphibious ships, where any action a Sailor or crew takes is governed by long-standing and time-proven guidance. So look for the path, but if you cannot find it, then I challenge you to make one,” said Ray. “You have the support of your crew, your company commander, your squadron leadership, and me and my staff as well.”

As Coastal Riverine Squadron 3’s Bravo Company, Crew 1 Commander, Winston will be responsible for commanding one of the Navy’s new cutting-edge Mark VI patrol boats and will deploy with the craft and crew.

"This ceremony marks the Navy’s continued investment in our most important asset—our people. Allowing junior officers to hold a position of such responsibility symbolizes three things: our Navy’s dedicated to lethality at all levels regardless of rank structure, our Navy’s continued focus on leadership development in all of our Sailors, and our Navy’s adaptability to rapidly adjust our methods to the threats and missions of a dynamic environment,” said Winston. “Bravo Company Boat Crew One is ready for any challenge and will remain ready and relevant in this dynamic environment."

The new Mark VI patrol boat command-at-sea billets are one of two new opportunities for Mark VI leadership in the Coastal Riverine Force. Mid-level surface warfare officers can now also serve as Mark VI company commanders, commanding three of the boats.

Ray said that command-at-sea opportunities like this afford opportunities for innovation. He said, “In the Coastal Riverine Force, and with the small crew sizes of the Mk VI program, we need innovators and motivated self-starters to help us find our way forward.”

The new Mark VI command positions were created to provide the dedicated and resourceful leadership required to safely maintain and fight the advanced patrol craft that continues to transform the Coastal Riverine Force through extended reach and increased combat power.

Members of the Coastal Riverine Force conduct missions in support of port and harbor security, maritime force protection, high-value asset security, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, and training/partnership exercises with foreign nations.

For more information, visit http://www.navy.mil, http://www.facebook.com/usnavy, or http://www.twitter.com/usnavy.

For more news from Coastal Riverine Group 1, visit www.navy.mil/local/crg1/.

• Date Taken: 05.10.2019
• Date Posted: 05.10.2019 17:38
• Story ID: 322007
• Location: SAN DIEGO, CA, US
• Hometown: OZARK, AL, US