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Newly Trained Navy Customs Battalion Receives Senior Leadership Insight

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS060301-12
Release Date: 3/1/2006 10:46:00 AM

By Lt. Enid Wilson, Fleet Public Affairs Center Atlantic

WILLIAMSBURG, Va. (NNS) -- Commander, Navy Expeditionary Combat Command (NECC) and Commander, Navy Reserve Force spent a few hours with more than 400 mobilized Navy Reservists here Feb. 27, to share their leadership perspective about the changing skill sets needed by the Navy ashore and the value of service from Sailors in the Navy Reserve.

Commander, Navy Reserve Force, Vice Adm. John G. Cotton challenged the battalion to ask questions about strategy and stressed the importance of giving them an accurate overview and update on current conditions overseas.

“I want to give them a good grasp of what things will be like for them in theater,” he said.

Navy Customs Battalion Quebec Sailors will fulfill a customs inspection mission in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Customs inspectors are the first line of defense against the introduction of foreign plant and animal pests and diseases to the United States and help prevent contraband from entering this country.

“We are extending another core competency in the maritime environment Customs,” said NECC Commander, Rear Adm. Donald K. Bullard, “and what you are doing is extremely important for our Navy and for our country.”

Each member of Quebec will wear a “U.S. Navy Customs Border Clearance Agent” armband while performing customs duties overseas and they will execute a two-fold mission; ensuring returning military equipment conforms to U.S. Department of Agriculture standards and ensuring all gear returning with personnel serving abroad in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom complies with U.S. customs regulations.

“Our job will allow us to expedite getting warfighters home in a safe and quick manner,” said Senior Chief Storekeeper Don Middleton of Silverdale, Wash.

Navy Customs Battalions are part of the Navy Expeditionary Logistics Support Group under the new Echelon III type command, Navy Expeditionary Combat Command, which stood up this year in January and includes Maritime Force Protection Command, Navy Expeditionary Logistics Support Group, and Naval Construction Forces Command.