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Mine Countermeasures Class Moves out West, Gets New Headquarters

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS090611-03
Release Date: 6/11/2009 12:44:00 PM

By Chief Mass Communication Specialist Yan M. Kennon, Navy Region Southwest Public Affairs

SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- A ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrated the opening of the renovated headquarters for Mine Countermeasures Class Squadron, aboard the Submarine Base Complex of Naval Base Point Loma June 5.

The $2.6 million renovation is one of five major Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) construction projects to support the BRAC directed transfer of the mine countermeasure force to San Diego from Ingleside, Texas.

The mine countermeasure move from Ingleside, Texas, will bring hundreds of new Sailors, assigned to Mine Countermeasures Squadrons (MCS) 1, 2 and 3, as well as six Avenger Class mine countermeasures ships to San Diego.

The 14-month Military Construction Project 796V consisted of the refurbishment of an existing 16,995 square feet, three-story building aboard Naval Base Point Loma. The intricate use of existing excess infrastructure, vice constructing a new facility, in conjunction with the recently renovation projects for an adjacent parking garage and bachelor enlisted quarters, reduced BRAC costs by approximately $25 million.

Naval Facilities Engineering Command Southwest (NAVFAC SW) awarded the renovation project to Allen Engineering Contractor Inc., who has completed numerous federal projects at locations such as Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Marine Corps Air Station Yuma and Naval Medical Center San Diego.

For outstanding achievement in safety, during the renovation project, NAVFAC SW presented Bernie Jones, vice president Allen Engineering Contractor Inc., with the Naval Facilities Engineering Command Southwest Safety Through Awards Recognition (STAR) for safety excellence during the 14-month project.

On hand for the ribbon cutting event were Rear Adm. Len Hering, commander Navy Region Southwest; Rear Adm. Russell Penniman, deputy commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet; Rear Adm. Robert Girrier, vice commander, Naval Mine and Anti-Submarine Warfare Command; Capt. Paul Marconi, commanding officer, Naval Base Point Loma; Capt. Robert Hospodar, commander, Mine Countermeasures Class Squadron and commanding officer, MCS 2; and Bernie Jones, vice president, Allen Engineering Inc.

BRAC 2005 directives call for the mine countermeasure force including six, Avenger Class, mine countermeasures ships to relocate from Ingleside, Texas, to San Diego, no later than September 30, 2009.