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New Command to Oversee Bethesda BRAC Process

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS080626-02
Release Date: 6/26/2008 11:16:00 AM

By Chief Mass Communication Specialist (AW) Paul DeLaughter National Naval Medical Center Public Affairs

BETHESDA, Md. (NNS) -- Naval Facilities Command Washington christened the Officer in Charge of Construction Command, Bethesda, on June 24, to oversee the construction and engineering portions of Bethesda's Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) process.

Capt. John Korka assumed command in a ceremony in Memorial Auditorium.

"We will execute the engineering, construction and facilities support dictated by our supporting commanders," Korka said. "We are responsible for keeping things on track, on time and on, or under, budget."

Korka noted it is common for the Naval Facilities Command to establish separate, smaller commands to oversee large projects, much like the one at Bethesda. The projects officially begins July 3.

"[Naval Facilities Command] is commissioning this new command to support [the Navy's] medical professionals' needs and ensure they have the opportunities to provide world-class medical [care] well into the 22nd century," said Capt. Jim Stader, commanding officer of Naval Facilities Command Washington.

Naval Facilities Command Washington manages the design, planning and construction of shore facilities for the Navy, Marine Corps and other federal clients.

David "Ollie" Oliveria, Bethesda's BRAC program manager, explained Bethesda's BRAC representatives receive direction from the Navy Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, the Joint Task Force National Capital Region – Medical, the National Naval Medical Center commander, and input from Bethesda's patients and staff members.

"We will work side-by-side with the [Officer in Charge of Construction Command – Bethesda]," Oliveria said. "We tell them the direction we are trying to go and they will take the ball and run with it."

For more news from National Naval Medical Center, visit www.navy.mil/local/nnmc/.