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NMCB 1 Holds Change of Command Ceremony

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS080702-19
Release Date: 7/2/2008 9:04:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Chad Runge, Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 1 Public Affairs

GULFPORT, Miss. (NNS) -- Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 1 held a change of command ceremony June 27 at Naval Construction Battalion Center in Gulfport.

Cmdr. Stanley W. Wiles assumed command from Cmdr. Dean A. Tufts.

The ceremony brought to an end Tufts' two-year assignment as the battalion's commanding officer.

"Cmdr. Tufts and NMCB 1's accomplishments are endless," said guest speaker Capt. Jeffrey Borowy, commodore of the 25th Naval Construction Regiment. "Over the last couple of years, NMCB 1 has totally upheld its motto of 'The First and The Finest.'"

During the ceremony, Borowy presented Tufts with a Bronze Star for his outstanding achievements while leading his troops through a highly successful combat deployment in support of Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom.

NMCB 1 returned in April from their most recent deployment, during which they deployed to 16 main sites and 43 forward operating bases in five countries including combat zones in Iraq and Afghanistan. The battalion completed more than 70,000 total man days of construction, and its two 30-man convoy security elements executed more than 300 convoys, logging 22,000 miles throughout Iraq. NMCB 1 also completed the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Force's number one priority project [repairs to the Camp Taqqadum, Iraq runway] one month ahead of schedule.

In 2006, also under Tufts' command, the battalion deployed to 20 sites in nine countries, completing missions in Indonesia, the Philippines, Pohnpei, Japan, and Camp Bucca and Fort Suse, Iraq.

Tufts was quick to defer the credit for the success of the command.

"To the Seabees of One, I am humbled to have served with you," said Tufts. "I've asked you to run until you dropped. Then, I asked you to run more. I've asked you to do pushups until your arms went numb. Then, I asked you to do 10 more. I've asked you to work in the heat, cold, rain, wind, dust and even snow six and a half days a week for seven straight months, away from your family and friends, and you told me you didn't need that extra day off."

"Dignity, respect, inspiration and pride were words I said to you every day," Tufts added. "They were words that you showed me."

Wiles' service to the U.S. Armed Forces began in 1981 in the Air Force. He spent four years as an explosive detection dog handler on the president's aircraft, Air Force One. After receiving an honorable discharge, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering from the University of Maryland in 1990 and was commissioned with honors at Officer Candidate School, Newport, R.I. in 1991. Wiles reports to NMCB 1 after spending his previous tour of duty as the public works officer at Naval Station Mayport, Fla.

"I am honored to be taking command of NMCB 1 this morning, and I will do my utmost to confirm to those who have entrusted me with this responsibility that I will be the commanding officer that NMCB 1 deserves," said Wiles. "I will do my best every day to make NMCB 1 a better battalion."

Borowy spoke of his confidence in Wiles.

"Today I see before me unparalleled performers that have enhanced the Seabee legacy, and I'm confident that Cmdr. Stan Wiles can continue to lead this stellar and proud command to even greater heights."

For more news from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 1, visit www.navy.mil/local/nmcb1/.