Army takes helm from Navy

By 2nd Lt. Carlie Turnnidge, 84th Engineer Battalion, 130th Engineer Brigade, 8th Sustainment CommandFebruary 1, 2013

Army takes helm from Navy
1 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 74's officer in charge, Lt. Cmdr. Brandon Casperson, gives his departing remarks during the change of command ceremony while Lt. Col. Aaron Reisinger, the 84th Engineer Battalion, 130th Engineer Brigade, 8th Theate... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Army takes helm from Navy
2 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 74's flag is removed from the flagpole and turned over to signify the end of their deployment during the change of charge ceremony with the 84th Engineer Battalion, 130th Engineer Brigade, 8th Theater Sustainment C... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Army takes helm from Navy
3 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – The uncasing of the colors by Cmd. Sgt. Maj. Joe Constante, 84th Engineer Battalion, 130th Engineer Brigade, 8th Theater Sustainment Command's senior enlisted servicemember, and Lt. Col. Aaron Reisinger, the battalion's commander, signals the battali... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Army takes helm from Navy
4 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Lt. Col. Aaron Reisinger, 84th Engineer Battalion, 130th Engineer Brigade, 8th Theater Sustainment Command's commanding Officer speaks to a formation of Navy SeaBees and Army Engineers about the intent to leave a legacy and "live up to and honor the ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

The 84th Engineer Battalion, 130th Eng. Brigade, 8th Theater Sustainment Command, took command of Camp Covington from the SeaBees of Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 74 during a change of charge ceremony at the camp's headquarters on U.S. Naval Base Guam, Jan. 17.

The ceremony began with remarks from NMCB 74's officer in charge, Lt. Cmdr. Brandon Casperson. He welcomed and thanked the troops and organizations for their assistance in the success of their six-month deployment.

"I am pleased to add to that long list of accomplishments and memories," he said.

When NMCB 74 took charge of Camp Covington in July 2012, SeaBees began their work on two turnover construction projects.

"Since that time, we have completed three of those five projects, and will be turning over the other two projects to the 84th Eng. Bn.," said Casperson. "Our builders, steelworkers, plumbers and electricians all received extensive experience as they dedicated countless hours to the maintenance and upkeep of this historic SeaBee camp."

Casperson spoke about his unit's successful completion of a Camp Covington softball heads project, the Covington Medical Facility and the first 35 percent of a large concrete water storage tanker facility at Polaris Point. NMCB 74 also supported its forward deployed sites in Palau, Yap, the Philippines, Timore Leste and Cambodia.

The 84th "Never Daunted" Eng. Bn. is confident and ready for the opportunities and challenges this deployment will provide, Casperson said.

"We are proud to be here," said Lt. Col. Aaron Reisinger, commander, 84th Eng. Bn. "We understand the legacy of the SeaBees here on Guam and the historical impact they have made here since World War II. Let me assure you, we fully intend to live up and honor the SeaBees' contribution to the Navy, Guam, and this region."

The turnover ceremony, called a change of charge ceremony in Navy parlance, integrated the Army culture with the Navy culture. Both Army and Navy cultures were represented in the ceremony.

The NMCB 74 flag was lowered, signaling the end of the unit's deployment; the uncasing of the 84th's colors indicated the beginning of its deployment. The Navy tradition of lowering the colors and the Army's tradition of casing the colors made the ceremony unique.

The 84th Eng. Bn. will contribute to a variety of construction projects during its nine months at Camp Covington and while seeing action in various islands like Palau, Marshall Islands and Micronesia.

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