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Mobile Construction Battalion 74 Assumes Command at Camp Natasha

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS090828-04
Release Date: 8/28/2009 4:56:00 AM

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Ryan G. Wilber, Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 74 Public Affairs

HELMAND PROVINCE, Afghanistan (NNS) -- Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 74 relieved NMCB 5 of command of Camp Natasha at Camp Leatherneck in the Helmand Province of Afghanistan at a transfer of authority ceremony Aug. 18.

Brig. Gen. Larry Nicholson, commanding general of the Marine Expeditionary Brigade, was an honored guest at the ceremony who both praised NMCB 5 for their excellent work and welcomed NMCB 74 on board.

The turnover between the two construction battalions was a unique event, said NMCB 74's Commanding Officer Cmdr. Bruce Nevel, who referred to it as a "working turnover," in which there was very minimal disruption of construction projects.

"We sent over enough folks to turn over and enough people to shadow NMCB 5's workforce, so the projects never came to a stop," said Nevel.

In addition to the routine turnover of equipment, tools and materials, both Nevel and Lt. Cmdr. Omarr Tobias, NMCB 74's operations officer, placed heavy emphasis on understanding lessons learned from NMCB 5's deployment.

"Five (NMCB 5) had an outstanding deployment. They accomplished historic things and set the bar really, really high in terms of mission accomplishment. Our job is to come in, respect that they are the subject matter experts on the ground. We want to be a sponge and learn the process and techniques, learn how to make things work here and build in the manner that is most efficient, how to best use the materials and network with the right individuals to get what we need on time," said Tobias.

"A whole lot goes into turnover. It's not just counting property, it's making sure we are smart, we have learned all the lessons they have learned and we can continue on and be successful from day one," added Nevel.

"I am extremely excited and looking forward to this deployment. This is going to be a memorable deployment because there is a lot of meaningful work to be done. You could employ three Seabee battalions here. Furthermore, extremely meaningful, what we are doing out here effects the world and future generations. In fighting the global war on terror, I will tell you, we are at the tip of the tip of the spear. We are supporting the warfighter here and are viewed as very valuable and appreciated," he said.

With an enormous amount of meaningful work ahead of the battalion, Tobias expressed feelings of both challenge and readiness to continue where NMCB 5 left off.

"I feel humbled by the opportunity, I feel challenged, I feel ready and I feel that I am accompanied by a unit full of capable, motivated, skilled people that will accomplish the mission and bring all of our troops home with ten fingers, ten toes and sound mind and body," said Tobias.

For more news from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 74, visit www.navy.mil/local/nmcb74/.