By MC1 Michael C. Barton, NMCB 11 Public Affairs
Lt. Cmdr Andrew Olsen, NMCB 11 s operations officer, stands in front of the troops during the battalion s change of command where Cmdr. Jorge R. Cuadros relieved Cmdr. Steven J. Stasick as commanding officer, NMCB 11., Gulfport, Miss., Nov. 21. Photos by MC1 Michael C. Barton
Naval Construction Battalion Center (NCBC) Gulfport, Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 11 welcomed its newest commanding officer in a ceremony, Gulfport, Miss., Nov. 21.
Cmdr. Jorge R. Cuadros, previously operations officer, Naval Construction Group (NCG) 2, relieved Cmdr. Steven J. Stasick whose next assignment is in Gulfport, Miss., as the operations officer, NCG 2.
"This battalion is ready to answer the call of duty, anytime and anywhere. I m so proud to be joining their team today, said Cuadros during his change of command remarks. Ladies and gentlemen, I m ready to give it my all to serve the Seabees, Sailors standing in front of you today and their families. Let s get started.
Cmdr. Steven J. Stasick addresses the Seabees of NMCB 11 during his change of command remarks. During his remarks, Stasick had the battalion break ranks and form a circle around him.
Military members wore full ceremonial dress white uniforms with the battalion formed in ranks facing the guests and participants. After transferring the colors, both Cuadros and Stasick observed the battalion perform a Pass in Review across the Parade Field Grinder aboard NCBC.
Guest speaker, Capt. John Adametz, commander, NCG 2, awarded Stasick the Meritorious Service Medal for leading NMCB 11 through numerous successful evolutions and a deployment over the course of his command.
"All the great accomplishments of the command were due to the hard work of the Seabees of NMCB 11, and the tour I had wouldn t have been so rewarding if it wasn t for them," said Stasick in his farewell address.
CMC Moses Sampson, NMCB 11, receives the battalion flag from Cmdr. Jorge R. Cuadros after transferring it form Cmdr. Steven J. Stasick during NMCB 11 s change of command.
During the ceremony, Stasick had the battalion break ranks and form a circle around him when he delivered his remarks. While the battalion was circled around him, he closed his remarks with, Who s better than Eleven The battalion responded, NOBODY!
Originally commissioned in June 1942 and twice recommissioned since, NMCB 11 has built and fought in World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan, in addition to a multitude of humanitarian assistance and disaster response missions throughout the world. The battalion is currently preparing for deployment to Rota, Spain.
NMCB 11 is a Seabee battalion specializing in contingency construction, disaster response and humanitarian assistance. The battalion is homeported in Gulfport, Miss.
Cmdr. Jorge R. Cuadros delivers his remarks during NMCB 11 s Change of Command Ceremony, Gulfport, Miss., Nov. 21.