NECC Hosts Congressional, Senate Staff Members

By MC2 (SCW) Paul D. Williams, Navy Expeditionary Combat Command Public Affairs

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (NNS) -- Nine Congressional and Senate staff members visited Navy Expeditionary Combat Command (NECC) Aug. 19 to familiarize themselves with the day-to-day operations of expeditionary units homported and deployed, and to receive feedback on Sailor wellness and deployment operations.

"These Congressional and Senate staff members visited NECC to better understand the mission of maritime forces operating in the littorals and inland waterways," said Capt. David McDuffie, NECC director of plans and policy. "Staff members also had an opportunity to see our equipment and meet with expeditionary Sailors who recently returned from deployment."

The group began their tour with hands-on displays from Navy Expeditionary Intelligence Command, Maritime Civil Affairs and Security Training Command, Navy Expeditionary Logistics Support Group, Maritime Expeditionary Security Group 2 and Naval Construction Forces. The group was then taken on a boat ride on Riverine craft, and given a demonstration of Riverine capabilities.

After leaving the waterside, the staffers gathered at NECC headquarters for a briefing about each of the command's units and capabilities. NECC leadership discussed the varied ways in which NECC is able to complete missions ranging from combat operations to stability to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.

"NECC provides rapidly deployable and agile expeditionary forces, of which more than 50 percent of its forces are deployed in 41 countries on seven continents," said Lt. Cmdr. John Gay, facilitator of the command briefing. "Essential to NECC's success is the fact they are made up of active duty and Reserve mission specialists. The Reserve Sailors make up 53 percent of the NECC Force, and come from units homeported across the U.S., not just in fleet concentration areas. These men and women are trained and equipped as operational units and deploy just like their active duty counterparts."

Once they were armed with this information, the staffers learned of NECC's most important asset - its Sailors and their families, who join them in the sacrifice they provide in defense of their country. While mission accomplishment is the goal, taking care of the member and family readiness is what makes mission accomplishment possible.

The last stop of the day for the group was a visit to Explosive Ordnance Disposal Training and Evaluation Unit 2, where they met with Rear Adm. Michael Tillotson, NECC commander, for a tour of the training compound. There they witnessed first hand EOD capabilities and training techniques from EOD technicians.

"When deployed, NECC Sailors meet irregular challenges everyday and this visit gave us an opportunity to share challenges," said McDuffie. "By sharing our challenges we have the opportunity to educate Congressional and Senate staff members on why expeditionary forces are not only important during war, but also the critical role of the Navy in preventing future wars."

NECC commands and capabilities provide a full range of mission-essential resources to combatant commanders. By offering visitors an opportunity to experience some of the tasks NECC performs they can see and hear from the expeditionary Sailors who have been there, what a vital contribution these men and women provide.