By MC1 Brannon Deugan, NMCB 1 Public Affairs
Cmdr. Kemit Spears addresses the audience during NMCB 1 s change of command ceremony aboard NCBC Gulfport, Mississippi, June 28. During the ceremony, Spears transferred authority and responsibility as the commanding officer of NMCB 1 to Cmdr. Lance Flood. (Photo by MC1 Brannon Deugan/160628-N-SD965-066)
Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 1 held a change of command ceremony aboard Naval Construction Battalion Center (NCBC) Gulfport, Mississippi, June 28.
The ceremony is representative of a military tradition that signifies a formal transfer of authority and responsibility of a command from one commanding officer, Cmdr. Kemit Spears, to another, Cmdr. Lance Flood.
Spears served as the commanding officer from June 2014, in which the command completed deployments that spanned 29 detachments operating throughout Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and Pacific theaters in support of humanitarian and strategic combatant commander s objectives. He led more than 750 Sailors in the execution of 50 projects, including the construction of the Shipboard Electronic Systems Evaluation Facility to support Fleet operations in Rota, Spain.
Under Spears, NMCB 1 was the first battalion to successfully execute the Optimized Fleet Response Plan, which streamlined pre-deployment inspection requirements and increased readiness. He was also the first to lead multiple units in a joint expeditionary forces exercise during Exercise Bold Alligator 2014.
Cmdr. Lance Flood addresses the audience during NMCB 1 s change of command ceremony aboard NCBC Gulfport, Mississippi, June 28. During the ceremony, Flood relieved Cmdr. Kemit Spears of his authority and responsibility as the commanding officer of NMCB 1. (Photo by MC1 Brannon Deugan/160628-N-SD965-097)
In a speech to the command, Spears expressed his gratitude to the Seabees who made his tour with NMCB 1 a successful one.
Another thing I m immensely proud of is that you refuse to never accept the status quo or doing something simply because this is the way we ve always done it, said Spears. Let me encourage you to keep finding smarter and better ways to do things. Keep charging, keep fighting through adversity; [I] have had no greater privilege or honor in 21 years of service than to serve as your commanding officer. I am humbled and inspired by you and bursting with pride at all you have accomplished in these two years. I cannot thank you enough.
Spears received the Meritorious Service Medal from the guest speaker, Capt. Paul Ordenthal, commander, Naval Construction Group (NCG) 2, Gulfport, Mississippi. Spears will now transfer to Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Atlantic in Norfolk, Virginia.
Engineering Aide 2nd Class Kerby Cange sings the national anthem at NMCB 1 s change of command ceremony aboard NCBC Gulfport, Mississippi, June 28. During the ceremony, Cmdr. Kemit Spears transferred authority and responsibility as the commanding officer of NMCB 1 to Cmdr. Lance Flood. (Photo by MC1 Brannon Deugan/160628-N-SD965-046)
Flood recently transferred from NAVFAC Far East, where he served as the public works officer for Naval Support Facility Diego Garcia.
In this time of great global uncertainty, your service matters, your family matters to me, and the leadership of the United States in this global war that we fight every day matters to me, said Flood. So, I appreciate you for volunteering and I appreciate you for what you do. So humbled and I look forward to serving with you. To the families, thanks for allowing me the opportunity to serve with your Seabees.
(From left) Cmdr. Lance Flood, Capt. Paul Odenthal, Cmdr. Kemit Spears, Command Master Chief Michael Lopez, and Lt. Aaron Bell, NMCB 1 chaplain, stand at attention for the presentation of the colors and the national anthem during NMCB 1 s change of command. During the ceremony, Spears transferred authority and responsibility as the commanding officer of NMCB 1 to Flood. (Photo by MC1 Brannon Deugan/160628-N-SD965-042)
NMCB 1 s Command Master Chief Michael Lopez (right) carries the NMCB 1 flag during the change of command ceremony aboard NCBC Gulfport, Mississippi, June 28. During the ceremony, Cmdr. Kemit Spears transferred authority and responsibility as the commanding officer of NMCB 1 to Cmdr. Lance Flood (left). (Photo by MC1 Brannon Deugan/160628-N-SD965-087)