Story by MC2(SW/AW) Luke Meineke, Navy Region Europe, Africa, Southwest Asia Public Affairs
Rear Adm. Katherine Gregory, commander, Naval Facilities Engineering Command, discusses construction plans and progress with U.S. Army Corps of Engineer representatives during a tour of the ongoing construction of permanent facilities at Naval Support Facility Deveselu.NSF Deveselu is Navy Region Europe Africa Southwest Asias latest facility for providing efficient and effective shore service support to United States and Allied Forces operating in Europe, Africa and Southwest Asia.(U.S. Navy photo by Lt. j.g. Alexander Perrien)
Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC)Commander Rear Adm. Katherine Gregory and Seabee FORCM (SCW/MTS) Christopher Levesque visited Naval Support Facility (NSF) Deveselu, Romania Feb. 19-20.
The purpose of the two-day visit was to assess the progress and effectiveness of the bases construction and development. It was also a chance for Gregory to witness the efforts of everyone involved in the construction of NSF Deveselu first hand.
My visit was really to see the great work that all the people whetherfrom the Navy, other military, civil servants, or contractors are doing to see that the Navys newest base is up and rolling, Gregory said. It takes a lot to develop and run a base. To be on the ground floor of that, I think, is exciting, fascinating, but also a lot of work."
Rear Adm. Katherine Gregory, commander, Naval Facilities Engineering Command, visits the ongoing construction of permanent facilities at Naval Support Facility Deveselu.(U.S. Navy photo by Lt. j.g. Alexander Perrien)
NSF Deveselu, which features the Aegis-Ashore Missile Defense System (MDS), will further strengthen the NATO defense shield in the European area of operations (AOR), and that, Gregory said, makes NSF Deveselus timely construction vital.
[NSF Deveselu] is a huge piece of the European defense perspective for the U.S. and its allies, Gregory said. The Aegis defense system is a state-of-the-art weapons system that continues to serve the Navy and our allies as part of our defense infrastructure.
Gregory began her visit to the base with an All Hands Call with the Seabees on temporary assigned duty (TAD) to NSF Deveselu. Gregory congratulated Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 11 for their commands recent distinction in earning the Battle E award, and congratulated them for their hard work and dedication during this deployment.
This is one of the best deployments you will see in your career, Gregory said. To go someplace where Seabees can learn what being a Seabee is really about, to go someplace where you are needed, that is the best deployment you can have.
Rear Adm. Katherine Gregory, commander, Naval Facilities Engineering Command, meets with Seabees at Naval Support Facility Deveselu before an All Hands Call, Feb. 19. Seabees have supported NSF Deveselu since its initial groundbreaking in March 2013.(U.S. Navy photo by Lt. j.g. Alexander Perrien)
In an effort to ensure their Seabees stay informed, Gregory and Levesque addressed the group about advancement exams, manning, potential opportunities like conversion, the G.I. Bill and retirement.
Gregory then joined the Seabees for lunch, giving them more opportunity to interact with and ask questions of Levesque and herself.
Following lunch, Gregory toured the active Navy and military contractors construction site. During the tour, she was briefed on the progress and status of the "Deckhouse," the control center for the Aegis MDS, while exploring the first deck and all three levels under construction.
Gregory also participated in an historical moment while at NSF Deveselu - she participated in and was the guest speaker at the first Seabee Ball ever held in Romania.
NSF Deveselu is Navy Region Europe Africa Southwest Asias latest installation for providing efficient and effective shore service support to U.S. and Allied Forces operating in Europe, Africa, and Southwest Asia.
Rear Adm. Katherine Gregory, commander, Naval Facilities Engineering Command, and Seabee FORCM (SCW/MTS) Christopher Levesque hold an all-hands call with Seabees at Naval Support Facility (NSF) Deveselu before inspecting their completed projects and taking a tour of the camp Feb. 19, 2015. Seabees have supported NSF Deveselu since its initial groundbreaking in October 2013. (U.S. Navy photo by Lt. j.g. Alexander Perrien)