Page 39 - South Mississippi Living - July, 2017

SEABEES letters from commanders
IN COMMAND
CAPTAIN
Cheryl Hansen
Commanding Officer Naval Construction Battalion Center
CAPTAIN
Paul J. Odenthal
Commander, Naval Construction Group TWO
This year marks the 75th Anniversary of the Seabees presence in Gulfport. Our military and civilian team has supported our nation with professionalism and pride, and the Gulf Coast has welcomed us as part of the com- munity.
The Navy’s roots run deep here from our beginning during WWII as a Navy Advanced Base Depot, to today’s fast-paced operational support, to the U. S. Navy Seabees
and other expeditionary forces continuously de- ploying across the globe. Our vital community partnerships enable us to be successful in our mission. Innovations in energy with Mississippi Power, new opportuni- ties with the State Port of Gulfport, engagement with our schools, and daily support from other
organizations are examples of this team.
We couldn’t accomplish our mission without a com-
munity that embraces us. All of us on active duty have learned what you already know — it’s a great place to work, live, and raise a family. Mayor Hewes succinctly summed up this theme in 2015 with a proclamation des- ignating Gulfport as “SEABEETOWN, USA.”
NCBC Gulfport is proud to be Homeport for the Atlantic Fleet Seabee Regiment and home to many other Depart- ment of Defense tenants including the Center for Security Forces, the Navy Meteorology and Oceanography Profes- sional Development Center and the Naval Construction Training Center.
On behalf of our entire team, THANK YOU. I’m proud to be part of such a strong and resilient community.
The U.S. Navy Seabees were born as a direct result of the attack on Pearl Harbor by the Empire of Japan. More than 325,000 men served with the Seabees in World War II, fight- ing and building on six continents and more than 300 islands. Since then, Seabees have served with distinction in all U. S. conflicts and operations.
As I write this, your Seabees from the Mississippi Gulf Coast are deployed on five continents in 25 countries at 43 separate locations.
We continue to support
operations in Afghanistan and across Southwest Asia while also provid- ing humanitarian support and building partnerships across Europe, Africa and the Pacific. Likewise, we stand ready to respond to disasters abroad and at home.
The 4,500 Seabees of
Naval Construction Group TWO (NCG 2) are proud to call the Mississippi Gulf Coast home. Headquartered in Gulfport, NCG 2 is comprised of two Naval Construction Regiments, five Naval Mobile Construction Battalions here as well as an Underwater Construction Team and Construction Battalion Maintenance Unit located in Virginia.
NCG 2 maintains the highest possible state of readiness to deliver engineering support to the Navy, Marine Corps and other forces to construct and maintain base facilities; repair battle-damaged facilities; conduct defensive operations as required; and meet disaster preparedness and recovery mis- sions.
My sincerest thank you to the wonderful people of Missis- sippi who have always made us feel welcome and treated us as family.
FOR MORE REFLECTIONS OF THE GULF COAST >> www.smliving.net
July 2017 • SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living 39