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ETG Transitions into NEXWDC

Navy News Service

Story Number: NNS141002-06
Release Date: 10/2/2014 3:25:00 PM

By Lt.j.g Stacy McDonald, Navy Expeditionary Combat Command Public Affairs

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (NNS) -- The Expeditionary Training Group (ETG) transitioned into the Navy Expeditionary Warfighting Development Center (NEXWDC) during a ceremony at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Ft. Story, Sept 30.

ETG was established to conduct Echelon IV and V staff and unit training for expeditionary forces during the integrated phase of their Fleet Readiness Training Plan (FRTP). Additionally, ETG provided integrated expeditionary training support to major fleet exercises and to warfare commander and independent deployers outside of Commander, Navy Expeditionary Combat Command's (COMNECC) domain who routinely operate with expeditionary units.

Capt. Paul McElroy, Naval Expeditionary Combat Command's chief of staff, gave the ceremony's keynote address on behalf of Rear Adm. Frank Morneau, commander, Navy Expeditionary Combat Command.

'As Expeditionary Training group transitions to become the Navy Expeditionary Warfighting Development Center, it retains all previous responsibilities, but adds new ones as well, to include doctrine, curriculum standardization, and most importantly the identification of gaps in warfighting capabilities,' said McElroy. 'Adm. Morneau's charge to you is to be relentless in preparing these units for deployment, capturing the lessons they learn, improving our execution, and disseminating our doctrine. The warfighters and taxpayers we serve deserve nothing less.'

Following the speech by McElroy, Capt. David Clement Jr., ETG commanding officer, who will serve as the commander of NEXWDC, ordered the changing of the flag.

'As a symbol of the sun setting on ETG, and the passing of her legacy, responsibilities and contributions to the strength of NECC and the Navy, and the security of our nation, we will now lower the ETG flag and raise the Expeditionary Warfighting Development Center flag in its stead'.

Senior Chief Explosive Ordnance Disposalman Brian Cantrell, senior enlisted advisor for ETG, lowered the ETG flag and presented it to Clement. Clement then presented Capt. Michael Napolitano, the founding ETG commanding officer, with the ETG Flag and Cantrell raised the new NEXWDC flag.

The newly established NEXWDC will be primarily responsible for warfare community-focused training. They will develop, validate, standardize and publish the Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures (TTPS) for the expeditionary community. NEXWDC will also provide advanced training across all combat mission areas, provide operational support and subject matter expertise to numbered Fleet Commanders, Naval Component Commanders and Combatant Commanders as required. Additionally, the NEXWDC will provide assessments of training and mission area effectiveness.

NECC forces are currently operating in over 30 countries around the globe executing missions that cover the warfighting spectrum, to including forward presence, maritime security, humanitarian assistance and disaster response, sea control and power projection and deterrence. The forces that comprise NECC include Naval Construction, Coastal Riverine, Expeditionary Logistics Support, Explosive Ordnance Disposal, Expeditionary Intelligence, Expeditionary Combat Camera and Expeditionary Combat Readiness.