PORT HUENEME, Calif. (NNS) The 1st Naval Construction Regiment (1NCR) held a change of command ceremony at the Seabee Museum on board Naval Base Ventura County–Port Hueneme, California, Nov. 16.
During the ceremony, Capt. Daryll D. Long passed command of the regiment to Capt. Jennifer L. Donahue, making her only the second woman ever take the helm of 1NCR and command the Pacific Fleet Naval Construction Force reserve components.
“Assuming command is a huge undertaking but Capt. Donahue is well-qualified, poised and ready to lead 1st NCR into the uncertain future,” said Capt. David. H. McAlister, commander, Naval Construction Group One (NCG-1), who was the guest speaker at the event. “Although I have not personally had the pleasure to serve directly with her, she is one of those individuals that is well known and highly respected throughout our community.”
Donahue reported to 1NCR from Naval Facilities Engineering Command Headquarters, Washington Navy Yard, where she was serving as the Deputy Chief of Staff. Prior to that, she has had a diverse career at different facilities and battalions including commanding Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 25.
“I’ve had the honor of serving alongside many reservists, both in peacetime and war,” said McAlister in discussing the accomplishments of both Donahue and Long. “I’ve seen them contribute as part of an integrated team and I’ve seen them excel in operating as a single unit. Without fail, the mission could not have been accomplished without the reserve component and leaders like Capt. Long and Capt. Donahue.”
Long wrapped up what McAlister described as a busy and successful two-year tour commanding 1NCR through operational commitments like sending subordinate units into combat zones to support the ongoing wars on terror and the leadership of the NCF at the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise in 2018.
“As my tour comes to an end, I want to first say that it has truly been a pleasure and an honor serving as your commodore,” said Long. “My tour with you has reached another milestone in my Navy career as I went over the 37-year mark serving our great nation. I am extremely proud to have served with such great patriots.”
1NCR is the immediate superior in command (ISIC) for NMCB 18, NMCB 22 and NMCB 25 and the three battalions have been on rotation to deploy overseas during Long’s time on board. Alongside the successful completion of these rotations, 1NCR has provided the oversight for many different training evolutions like the innovate readiness training projects in Catalina Island, California, reconstructing a runway, and Gallup, New Mexico, participating in constructing homes for low-income Native American families. At RIMPAC 2018, Long served as the deputy commander for Humanitarian Assistance Disaster Recovery as well as commander for Combined Task Force 18 during which time the regiment supported the Japanese military and the state of Hawaii.
“Commodore Long, I commend you,” said Donahue upon assuming command. “You have rebranded 1NCR into an institution of transformation. Your contributions of you and your staff that you have made here will directly lead to increased readiness across the reserve force and provide a renewed focus on mission accomplishment.”
After passing command of 1NCR to Donahue, Long will report to the regiment’s ISIC, NCG1 where he will serve as McAlister’s deputy in command.