ROTA, Spain –
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, 2019.
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 successes as commanding officer of the “Runnin' Roos.”
"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 pinnacle of his career thus far."
During the ceremony, members of the wardroom and chief’s mess acknowledged Greene’s performance while leading his battalion through two successful deployments in 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 pins 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 promotion to captain, has orders to the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations at the 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.
"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."
Homeported in Gulfport, Mississippi, NMCB-133 is currently deployed in various locations around the world and operating in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of responsibility. 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.
U.S. 6th Fleet, headquartered in Naples, conducts the full spectrum of joint and naval operations, often in concert with allied and interagency partners in order to advance U.S. national interests and security and stability in Europe and Africa.