Coastal Riverine Force Establishes Squadron

Navy News Service

Story Number: NNS120802-32
8/2/2012

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Steven C. Hoskins, Navy Expeditionary Combat Command Public Affairs

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va (NNS) -- Coastal Riverine Squadron (CORIVRON) 4 was established Aug. 1, during a ceremony aboard Joint Expeditionary Base (JEB) Little Creek-Fort Story.

The squadron merges Riverine Squadron (RIVRON) 1 and Maritime Expeditionary Security Squadron (MSRON) 4, making it the first squadron to merge since the establishment of Coastal Riverine Force (CORIVFOR) June 1.

"Today's ceremony formalizes the merger," said Capt. James C. Hamblet, commander, Coastal Riverine Group (CORIVGRU) 2. "A great deal of hard work and solid planning has gone into this merger, and today's ceremony marks one of a number of milestones that will pass as we merge the total force."

The CORIVRON 4 commanding officer, Cmdr. Blane T. Shearon, said what matters now is how good the force is today and how much better CORIVRON 4 will become in the future.

"We will always look back with pride at what we and our predecessors have accomplished," said Shearon. "As we come together, now is the opportunity to write the next chapter in the history of the Navy's small boat units."

Combining the two forces bridges the gap between traditional Navy blue-water operations and land-based forces, providing port and harbor security for vital waterways and protection of high-value assets and maritime infrastructure.

"It was a wonderful ceremony and beautiful day to be Coastal Riverine," said Operations Specialist 1st Class Jonathan Woods, assigned to CORIVRON 4. "The merger is a great opportunity for our Sailors to learn both offensive and defensive force protection."

CORIVFOR is a component of Navy Expeditionary Combat Command (NECC) and a core Navy maritime capability able to defend high-value assets against a determined enemy and, when ordered, conduct offensive combat operations by providing maritime expeditionary security and riverine operations throughout the green-water and brown-water environment.