Story by MC2 George Bell, Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 133
The Seabees of Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 133 marked a transition in the battalion's history with a change of command ceremony onboard Naval Station Rota Spain, May 17.
Cmdr. Frank Carroll relieved Cmdr. Luke Greene as commanding officer of the battalion.
The guest speaker, Capt. Cameron Geertsema, commanding officer of the 22nd Naval Construction Regiment, commended Greene on his many success as commanding officer of the "Runnin' Roos."
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Cmdr. Luke Greene, outgoing commanding officer of Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 133, addresses guests during change of command ceremony on board Naval Station Rota, Spain. Cmdr. Frank Carroll relieved Greene as commanding officer of NMCB-133, May 17. (Photo by MC2 George Bell)
"Today is a celebration of Cmdr. Greene s superb vision and leadership, leading with strong conviction and resolute character and always fostering teamwork," said Geertsema. "It is also a recognition of Cmdr. Carroll s successful career that has brought him to the pentacle of his career thus far."
During the ceremony, Greene was presented gifts from the wardroom and chiefs mess for his outstanding performance while leading his battalion through two highly successful deployments to twenty different sites over four different continents, as well as vigorous homeport training cycles.
"Two years ago, I stood on the stage in Gulfport and challenged the battalion to continue to build the strong legacy that NMCB-133 enjoys" said Greene. "As I look back over that last two years, I could pull out the matrix of numbers of Seabees we promoted, pinned with Seabee combat and expeditionary warfare, or awards we ve given out, but what I m most proud of is that we ve built the future leaders of the Navy."
Greene, who has been selected for captain, has orders to Office of the Chief of Naval Operations (OPNAV) Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia. Carroll transferred from Naval Air Station Fallon, where he served as the public works officer.
Upon assuming command, Carroll stated his optimism for leading the Runnin' Roos as the new skipper.
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Cmdr. Luke Greene transfers the battalion flag to Cmdr. Frank Carroll during Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 133's change of command ceremony on board Naval Station Rota, Spain. Carroll relieved Greene as commanding officer of NMCB-133, May 17. (Photo by MC2 George Bell)
"I cannot begin to express to you the honor and privilege it is for me to be standing here before you as the battalion s commanding officer," said Carroll. "NMCB-133, as we begin this journey today, it is important for us to reflect on the past, assess the present, and chart the course for the future of the battalion. We will continue to be the Seabees our nation needs."
NMCB-133 is currently deployed in various locations around the world. The battalion provides an adaptive and scalable Naval Construction Force ready and capable of executing quality construction in combat or in support of civic action, humanitarian assistance, or disaster recovery around the world.