OKINAWA, Japan - Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 4 turned over command of naval construction operations in the Indo-Pacific-Command (INDOPACOM) area of operations to NMCB 5 during a relief in place/transfer of authority (RIP/TOA) ceremony on Camp Shields, Okinawa, Oct. 15.

The RIP/TOA ceremony marks the official end of a six-month deployment for NMCB 4 across the the Indo-Pacific.

“Congratulations for the excellent job that you did. The work you carried out and the dets that you supported here from Okinawa were key to meeting the INDOPACOM objectives,” said Capt. Steve Stasick, Commodore, 30th Naval Construction Regiment, when speaking to NMCB 4 personnel during the RIP/TOA.

NMCB 4 sent details to 16 locations in 13 different countries and territories throughout the Indo-Pacific during their deployment. These details conducted critical construction operations in Okinawa, Atsugi, Iwakuni and Sasebo, Japan; Chinhae, South Korea; San Clemente Island, Calif.; Diego Garcia and Guam. The command also conducted projects focused on humanitarian assistance in areas such as Timor-Leste, Philippines, Palau, Marshall Islands, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, and the Federal States of Micronesia.

“To my NMCB 4 family, thank you for your fantastic work during turnover. Your performance during the course of this deployment has been incredible. Together, we have advanced U.S. INDOPACOM’s strategic theater objectives in many countries across the Pacific, “ said Cmdr. Angel Santiago, commanding officer of NMCB 4.
NMCB 4 completed approximately $8.7M of high-quality and safe construction, training and exercises.

NMCB 4 Seabees completed several projects to include; storage facilities in Diego Garcia, Guam and Okinawa; radar support facilities on Okinawa as well as a critical asset addition of an asphalt batch plant on Guam, strengthening Navy and Marine Corps readiness and capabilities in the region.

Among the humanitarian work that was completed included. The Seabees of NMCB 4 built three new schools, two new bathroom facilities, three new health centers and two facility renovations, providing humanitarian assistance to our partners and allies in the region.

NMCB 4 also participated in and supported five multinational military exercises. The focus of most exercises was skills exchange, joint partnership and humanitarian assistance. During these exercises Seabees worked alongside the host nation’s military service members and local civilians along with other participating foreign organizations.

“Thank you to the men and women of Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 4 for a successful and professional turnover that has been months in the making. You stand relieved.” said Cmdr. Ryan Carey, commanding officer of NMCB 5 “You should be proud of all that you’ve accomplished, and rest assured, we will do our best to build on your success this deployment.”

Now that the turnover is complete, NMCB 4 will return to Port Hueneme, Calif. and NMCB 5 will carry on the mission of the forward-deployed NMCB throughout the Indo-Pacific region. Ready to support major combat operations, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief and to provide general engineering and civil support to U.S. and joint forces.