NMCB 24 Commanding Officer Relieved of Duty

From Navy Expeditionary Combat Command Public Affairs

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (NNS) -- Cmdr. Franklin Fernandez, USNR, commanding officer, Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 24 was relieved by Capt. Roger Motzko, Commodore, 3rd Naval Construction Regiment (NCR), in Huntsville, Ala., Aug. 21, due to a loss of confidence in Fernandez's ability to command.

Fernandez was cited by Redstone Arsenal base police for allegedly driving under the influence early in the morning Aug. 16. Fernandez is pending a nonjudicial punishment proceeding in early September.

Lt. Cmdr. Ronald Jenkins, chief staff officer of the 3rd NCR, will assume duties as the command's senior officer until a permanent replacement is identified. Jenkins is familiar with the current operations of NMCB 24 as well as the needs of the command and its Sailors.