PORT HUENEME, Calif. (Aug. 14, 2026) – Naval Construction Group (NCG) 1 held a Change of Command ceremony at Naval Base Ventura County (NBVC), Port Hueneme, Calif., where Capt. Angel L. Santiago relinquished command to Capt. Andrew L. Litteral during a ceremony steeped in naval tradition.
Rear Adm. Jeffrey J. Killian, commander, Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command, served as the guest speaker, recognizing Santiago's leadership while welcoming Litteral as the command's new commodore.
"It is an absolute honor to stand here on the NBVC parade field to preside over this ceremony,” said Killian. “Captain Santiago, you have guided this force through a complex transition with vision, grit, and grace. Your thirty years of service stand as a testament to your dedication to the Navy and to the men and women you have led, Captain Litteral, you're stepping into a critical role at a critical time. You're inheriting a force that is tested, transformed and ready for whatever the future holds, including conflict, I have the utmost confidence in your leadership and I know that under your command, the Pacific Naval Construction Force will continue to build, continue to fight, and continue to win.”
During the ceremony, Santiago reflected on his tour as commodore and thanked the Sailors, civilians, and families whose dedication contributed to the command's success.
"Pulling something like this today is not a small feat, but it is an example of what you have done over the last two years, we put a challenge in front of you and you knock it out of the park. Two years ago, I asked that you join me in embarking on a journey of changing the force and changing how our Pacific Seabees conduct construction." said Santiago. "I'm eternally thankful to you for keeping up with me and believing in the direction I was trying to pull us to.”
Litteral accepted command and expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to lead the organization.
"Thank you for being here today and for entrusting me with the command of Naval Construction Group One" said Litteral. "To the Seabees of Naval Construction Group One, it is the highest honor to join your ranks and I could not be more excited about our next two years together. The future of the Seabees is bright, together, through our actions, we will remind the Navy and the Joint Force that if they ever want something built, the first call is to the United States Navy Seabees.”
The Change of Command ceremony represented the formal transfer of authority and responsibility from one Commodore to another, symbolizing the continuity of leadership and the Navy's enduring commitment to mission readiness.
NCG 1 is homeported in Port Hueneme, and leads and manages the overall capability and readiness of its Naval Construction Regiments (NCR's), Naval Mobile Construction Battalions (NMCB's), Naval Construction Battalions (NCB’s), and Underwater Construction Team (UCT). NCG1 provides the required engineering support that the Navy and Nation needs to construct and maintain base facilities, repair battle damaged facilities, conduct defensive operations as required, and to meet disaster preparedness and recovery missions.