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NECC Establishes Civil Affairs Squadron

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS080406-01
Release Date: 4/6/2008 11:36:00 AM

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Michael Barton, Fleet Public Affairs Center, Pacific

IMPERIAL BEACH, Calif. (NNS) -- Navy Expeditionary Combat Command (NECC) established Maritime Civil Affairs Squadron (MCAS) 1 during a ceremony at Naval Outlying Landing Field, April 3.

Maritime Civil Affairs is an enabling force that works directly with civil authorities and the civilian population during military operations -- whether during peace time, contingency operations or periods of declared war. Civil affairs activities enhance the relationship between military forces and civil authorities and facilitate coordination among non-government organizations, the civil government and population, the military and other agencies.

"We are the final piece of the Maritime Civil Affairs Group," said Cmdr. Alan M. Marblestone, commanding officer, MCAS-1. "With our sister command on the East Coast, we can now maximize the effectiveness of our nation's security capabilities."

Each maritime civil affairs team consists of the officer in charge, coxswain, constructionman, communications specialist and corpsman. MCAS-1 is currently operating with two detachments, 101 and 105.

"The future of the Navy is changing; now, we are focusing on civil affairs and humanitarian missions," said Chief Equipment Operator (SCW) John Romero, team leader, detachment 105. "It's a new part of the Navy that is moving forward on the war on terrorism."

Some of the squadron's operations will include humanitarian assistance, disaster relief and regional engagement activities intended to build support for the U.S. government.

"As part of the maritime strategy, preventing wars is just as important as winning them," said Rear Adm. Michael P. Tillotson, commander, NECC. "The way we are preventing war is by building partnerships with other nations and strengthening alliances."

NECC is a global-force provider of adaptive force packages of expeditionary capabilities to joint warfighting commanders. NECC serves as a single manning functional command to centrally manage the current and future readiness, resources, manning, training and equipping of the Navy expeditionary force.

For more news from Navy Expeditionary Combat Command, visit www.navy.mil/local/N85/.