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Leverette Turns Over the Helm of Riverine Squadron 2 to Britt

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS090116-24
Release Date: 1/16/2009 4:00:00 PM

By Chief Mass Communication Specialist (SW/AW) Katrin Albritton, Navy Expeditionary Combat Command Public Affairs

NORFOLK (NNS) -- Riverine Squadron (RIVRON) 2 changes hands during a change of command ceremony Jan. 16 at Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek.

Cmdr. Patrick T. Britt assumed duties as commanding officer from Cmdr. Glen S. Leverette.

Capt. Anthony Krueger, Commander, Riverine Group 1 gave the ceremony's keynote address. Krueger spoke about the transformation the men of Riverines experienced when joining their ranks, and the skills which Leverette used to shape RIVRON 2.

"[His] demand for thoroughness and operational excellence came to serve his squadron well," Krueger said. "The men finished their training certification in August 2007 and deployed on Sept. 17 - an incredibly short seven and a half months after the date the squadron stood up."

Leverette served as the plank owner commanding officer of RIVRON 2 since November 2006. During his tenure, he led his Sailors in conducting more than 620 combat missions during the squadron's inaugural deployment to western Iraq. He was also essential in the squadron receiving the U.S. Fleet Forces Command Retention Excellence Award for 2007.

Prior to turning over the command to his successor, Leverette thanked his family, friends and especially his Sailors, for their support during his tenure.

"The men who stand among you, they make Riverine Squadron 2 what it is," Leverette said. "You guys take the fight to the enemy, you impact the battle space. You have motivated me, energized me, inspired me, supported me, and, yes, fought for me. No [commanding officer] could ask for a better group of Sailors."

During the ceremony, Leverette received the Meritorious Service Medal for his achievements as RIVRON 2's commanding officer. His next assignment is at the Naval War College in Newport, R.I.

Britt's operational background includes tours as USS Port Royal (CG 73) where he served as the pre-commissioning auxiliaries officer and later as main propulsion assistant, USS Barry (DDG 52) as the ship's operations officer, operations officer in USS Vella Gulf (CG 72), and on USS Sentry (MCM 3) and USS Defender (MCM 2) in Ingleside, Texas and deployed in USS Dextrous (MCM 13).

Prior to arriving at Navy Expeditionary Combat Command, Britt served as the deputy executive assistant to the Commander, Navy Personnel Command/Deputy Chief of Naval Personnel. While attached to Navy Personnel Command, he also completed an individual augmentee assignment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

The squadron's primary mission is to conduct maritime security operations along rivers and other inland waterways, to deny the use of the maritime environment as a venue for attack, as a haven for insurgent activities or the illegal transportation of weapons, people or material. RIVRON 2 returned from its first deployment in May 2008, and are preparing for their second deployment later this year.

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