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Officer in Charge of Construction Ivan Stands Down

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS060629-02
Release Date: 6/29/2006 9:41:00 AM

By Sheri L. Crowe, Naval Air Station Pensacola Public Affairs

NAVAL AIR STATION PENSACOLA, Fla. (NNS) -- The Officer in Charge of Construction (OICC) Ivan command officialy stood down June 22 at Ski Beach aboard Naval Air Station Pensacola.

This came just 18 months after OICC Ivan was stood up Dec. 1, 2004, to get the Pensacola Naval Complex one step closer to recovery from Hurricane Ivan when it hit the Pensacola area Sept. 16, 2004.

“Today’s decommissioning ceremony signifies the end of an era for OICC Ivan, and that time has been limited, but has not been surpassed in terms of its accomplishments,” said OICC Ivan, Capt. Gerald R. Manley. "We’re going to take the time to pay homage to the individuals of OICC Ivan...to those that have served so honorably over these past 18 months.”

The decommissioning ceremony drew a crowd of about 50 people, including OICC Ivan staff and family members, and included an awards presentation, an officer promotion pinning, a group photo and a picnic.

Lonnie Hawkins, District Director for Florida Congressman Jeff Miller, made a special guest appearance on behalf of Miller. Hawkins presented Manley a letter of appreciation from Miller and thanked the OICC Ivan team for their recovery efforts of naval activities damaged by Hurricane Ivan.

“I want to take this opportunity to personally thank you and your command of Officer in Charge of Construction Ivan for the superb efforts you made in rebuilding the naval bases within the Naval Region Gulf Coast after the devastating damage of Hurricane Ivan. Your leadership from the commissioning of the command on Dec. 1, 2004, to the decommissioning of the command on June 22, 2006, allowed the mission of the Navy on the Gulf Coast of Florida to flourish again,” wrote Miller in his letter of appreciation.

Miller, who visited NAS Pensacola and other naval bases within Navy Region Gulf Coast within the past 18 months, also said he was extremely pleased with the progress OICC Ivan team made in returning area bases to their mission of training the world’s finest amed frces.

Manley said the journey the OICC Ivan team embarked upon in the wake of hurricanes Ivan, Dennis, Rita, Wilma and Katrina, tropical storms Arlene and Cindy, and the subsequent hail storms, has been monumental. “To put it in perspective, the number of contracts that we’ve had in our $520 million Ivan program budget...we had approximately 120 individual contracts. Out of the 120 individual contracts we had over 400 modifications, and this is in the short time frame. That’s an incredible pace. Because of our trials and successes, as part of the Ivan recovery, we’ve certainly underscored the strengths of our program and staff.”

Manley gave his team high praise for the work they have done that has impacted the lives of so many people within Navy Region Gulf Coast.

“Because of the Ivan team, this command has been successful to the Navy mission here and to Navy Region Gulf Coast,” said Manley. “My hat is off to each and every one of you. You’ve been a great team of professionals...and [working with you all] is going to stay with me the rest of my life. Thank you.”

For related news, visit the Naval Air Station Pensacola Navy NewsStand page at www.news.navy.mil/local/naspensacola/.