Photo by Mass Communication Specialist Senior Chief Gary Ward
NORFOLK, Va. – A 2010 Medina High School graduate and Rockport, Texas, native is serving at Expeditionary Combat Camera, as a member of the Navy’s last Combat Camera Unit in Norfolk, Virginia.
Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Kevin Outzen served as a mass communication specialist. Outzen was part of a unique Navy team that operated from the air, land and sea to create multimedia products that recorded military events for operational commanders in support of combat, information, humanitarian, special force, intelligence, reconnaissance, engineering, legal, and public affairs missions. Outzen’s most memorable combat camera mission was being a part of the Hurricane Irma relief efforts in Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands.
“Our chaplain heard that there were people living in a landfill and when I got there, there was a community of people that lived in conditions worse that I have ever seen, and they were still making the best out of it,” Outzen said. “I even saw a 19-year-old woman who built a house from a mountain of trash. It felt great to be a big contributor in helping these people in need."
Navy combat photography began its roots during World War I when the Navy organized its first photographic division to capture aerial reconnaissance photographs. During World War II, the Navy added Combat Photographic Units and sent them to the Pacific and European theaters of war to document major campaigns including Normandy and Iwo Jima.
After the onset of the Korean War, the Navy established the Pacific Fleet Combat Camera unit, and subsequently established the Atlantic Fleet Motion Picture Unit, which would become Atlantic Fleet Combat Camera Group in 1966 and deployed teams to document the war in Vietnam.
The unit became Expeditionary Combat Camera in 2010 and continued documenting all branches of the military during major U.S. conflicts, operations and exercises.
Outzen credits success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned in Rockport.
“Growing up I was taught a hard work ethic,” said Outzen. “I took this with me into the Navy and I never give up until the work is done.”
Members of Combat Camera perform unique and highly specialized missions with visual information documentation capabilities supporting all phases of a military operation. Personnel maintain qualifications enabling them to operate with air crew, special operations forces and military divers. Combat Camera teams have the technological capability to rapidly transmit imagery during fast-moving operations around the globe.
Expeditionary Combat Camera held a disestablishment ceremony Sept. 21 on Naval Station Norfolk. The ceremony honored the history, heritage and legacy of the command. Navy's combat camera units officially disestablish on Oct. 1, 2018, ending 67 years of service to the Navy and Department of Defense.
“All of those who have served at combat camera, have conveyed everything they’ve had to give; creative vision, a drive to excel, and a willingness to sacrifice,” said ECC’s final officer in charge Lt. Michael Larson, during the Norfolk ceremony. “Many have done the best work of their careers here, and that imagery has made a legacy that will live on, and inspires us to carry on.”
Outzen represents thousands of U.S. Navy combat photographers who have recorded historical events from the land, air and sea spanning from World War II to Operation Enduring Freedom.
As a member of the Navy’s last combat camera unit, Outzen and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes providing the Navy the nation needs.
“To me it means the end of an era and legacy and I am honored to be a part of this great Navy tradition,” Outzen said.