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MESF Command and Control Division 24 Set to Deploy

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS091223-08
Release Date: 12/23/2009 4:01:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Ryan Hill, Commander, Navy Reserve Force Public Affairs

WILLIAMSBURG, Va. (NNS) -- Reserve Sailors from Maritime Expeditionary Command and Control Division 24 received a farewell from the commander of Navy Reserve Forces Dec. 18 as they prepare for deployment to Kuwait.

Rear Adm. John G. Messerschmidt, Commander Navy Reserve Forces, spoke to Sailors about current Reserve policies and benefits, answer questions and voice appreciation to them for their upcoming mission. The division is set to deploy early January.

"First and foremost, I want to say thank you," Messerschmidt said to the assembled division. "Maybe even more importantly, I want to thank your families for what they're doing to support you. This mission you're taking on is extremely important. It's critical to our success over there. I'm looking at you individually, and I'm looking at you collectively when I say I am proud of what you are going to do."

As a component of Navy Expeditionary Combat Command (NECC), C2DIV 24 is part of Maritime Expeditionary Squadron 2, which has more than 400 Reserve and active-duty Sailors. The squadron is deploying to Camp Patriot and Kuwaiti Navy Base to provide security for logistical ship-to-shore operations.

"The ports there are refueling spots and onload/offload spots for pretty much all the equipment coming out of Iraq and equipment getting to the ships," said Boatswain's Mate 2nd Class Charles Lane, an armorer with C2DIV 24. "There's constantly ship to shore operations between equipment, so you can imagine security there being a big deal."

Messerschmidt also encouraged Sailors to take advantage of the services provided through the Returning Warrior Workshops (RWW) and other resources available to them upon their return.

"When you come back, you're going to reconnect with your families," said Messerschmidt. "You're going to be different, they're going to be different – it's just human nature because you're going to be apart from each other for about a year. What we offer is the chance for you and your spouse, significant other or whoever it is that is your support person, to spend a weekend at a very nice hotel near where you live. We bring in world-class speakers to talk about stress, the experience you just had and marriage counseling. When you come back, take advantage of that weekend. That's our signature event for the Navy Reserve."

The C2DIV 24 Sailors were appreciative of Messerschmidt's candid and receptive attitude.

"It's not every day a two-star admiral comes around to ask questions and give you the opportunity to ask a question and get an answer right there on the spot," said Lane.

For more news from Commander Navy Reserve Force visit www.navy.mil/local/resfor.