MOMAU 1, 15 Consolidate into Navy Munitions Command

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Eva-Marie Ramsaran, Navy Public Affairs Support Element West

SEAL BEACH, Calif. (NNS) -- Mobile Mine Assembly Units (MOMAU) 1 and 15, the last two mobile mine units in the Navy, disestablished Aug. 17 and consolidated into a single ordnance support capability at Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach, Calif.

Both units merged into the Navy Munitions Command, helping to streamline the command's mission of ordnance management for shore duty stations worldwide by operating explosives and ordnance handling and shipping.

"Today marks the end of an era," said Capt. Terry Auberry, commanding officer of Navy Munitions Command CONUS West Division. "These are the last of the mine assembly units disestablishing in the Navy."

According to Auberry, the command is looking for efficiencies to improve the overall performance, reduce costs and improve service.

"It makes sense to combine commands that are so similar," said Lt. Cmdr. Drew Martinez, commanding officer of MOMAU 1 and MOMAU 15. "All three of the commands here perform similar functions with ordnance handling, receiving and shipping; merging does away with a lot of redundancy."

The decision to merge the units has been in the works for nearly a year. Navy Munitions Command will retain all current capabilities with a stronger organization and provide greater opportunities for the minemen.

"I think it's an opportunity for them to learn more about the ordnance community other than just mines," said Jack Harris, director of Navy Munitions Command CONUS West Division, Unit Seal Beach. "We support all areas of the ordnance community for the Navy and Marine Corps. We see this as a way to give the minemen an opportunity to increase their ordnance skills."

"This is a great organization and we have taken the first step to improve on it," said Martinez.