MESG 2 Holds Change of Command

Photo By Lt. Michael Schaffer | VIRGINIA BEACH, VA – Capt. Jeffrey T. Grant presents Capt. David M. Rowland with a departing gift during a change of command ceremony held onboard Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story, Dec. 3, 2021. Capt. Grant relieved Capt. Rowland as Commander of Maritime Expeditionary Security Group 2 (MESG 2). The primary mission of MESG 2 is to provide maritime expeditionary security forces ready and capable to conduct maritime security operations across all phases of military operations to SECURE and PROTECT high value assets, critical maritime infrastructure, and ports and harbors both inland and on coastal waterways against enemy forces. (Photo by U.S. Navy Chief Intelligence Specialist Jason T. Medaris)  

VIRGINIA BEACH, VA, UNITED STATES

12.03.2021

Story by Lt. Michael Schaffer 

Maritime Expeditionary Security Group TWO

VIRGINIA BEACH, VA – Capt. Jeffrey T. Grant relieved Capt. David M. Rowland Dec. 3, as Commander of Maritime Expeditionary Security Group 2 (MESG-2) during a change of command ceremony held onboard Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story.

Rear Adm. Joseph A. DiGuardo Jr., commander, Navy Expeditionary Combat Command presided over the ceremony and spoke to the vital mission that the Maritime Expeditionary Security Force (MESF) has in its role to SECURE and PROTECT harbors and high value assets. The primary mission of the MESF is to conduct maritime security operations across all phases of military operations to secure and protect high value assets, critical maritime infrastructure, and ports and harbors both inland and on coastal waterways against enemy forces. The MESF is a component of Navy Expeditionary Combat Command and provides flexible responsive maritime security forces capable of performing high-level security. MESG-2 is the echelon IV command of two active and two reserve maritime expeditionary security squadrons (MSRONs) on the east coast and a forward-deployed detachment in Bahrain that provide port and harbor security, high value unit protection and embarked security teams.

Rowland, who served as commodore since July 2020, stated that his time at MESG-2 was never really an assignment. “It is the pinnacle of my professional career and I couldn’t be more humbled and honored to serve with such a dedicated group of patriots and warriors,” Rowland remarked to guests and staff in his departing speech. “Shipmates, you have shifted from simply preparing for the next deployment to preparing for major combat operations. Major combat operations requires an ‘all-in’ mindset,” Rowland stated regarding MESG-2’s shift during his tour in how they prepare the active and reserve squadrons for future deployment.

Capt. Rowland will assume command as commodore of Naval Beach Group 2 next month.

Sailors of MESG-2 welcomed a new commodore who is already well versed on the group’s preparedness and readiness accomplishments. Having served as the group’s deputy commander since 2020, Capt. Grant brings extensive career Reserve experience to his command, continuing the momentum of shifting the group’s reserve squadrons from a “just-in-time” process to an improved state of sustained combat readiness.

• Date Taken: 12.03.2021
• Date Posted: 12.13.2021 13:54
• Story ID: 410802
• Location: VIRGINIA BEACH, VA, US