PORT HUENEME, Calif. (June 18, 2020) – Naval Construction Group (NCG) 1 held a change of command ceremony in which Capt. Matthew Riethmiller relieved Capt. David McAlister, a native of Knoxville, Tennessee, as Commander, NCG 1, on Naval Base Ventura County, June 18.
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| Capt. David H. McAlister, left, out-going commodore, passes the flag to in-coming commodore, Capt. Matthew C. Riethmiller, during change of command ceremony. |
In a traditional NCG 1 change of command, companies of the Group’s ten subordinate units would parade the grinder with colors of their commands. Today however, the ceremony was much simpler without the usual pomp and circumstance. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, no subordinate units participated in the traditional way, instead witnessing the entire event via livestream along with hundreds of other Sailors, Seabees, and civilians using social media platforms.
McAlister, a graduate of University of Tennessee, has served as NCG 1 commodore since June 2018. During his tenure, he oversaw the organizing, manning, training, equipping, deploying and sustainment of ten subordinate units to include three active Naval Mobile Construction Battalions (NMCB) 3, 4, and 5. Three reserve battalions, two Naval Construction Regiments, a Construction Battalion Maintenance Unit, and an Underwater Construction Team, totaling 4,700 Sailors and Seabees on the Pacific Coast.
In his opening remarks, McAlister expressed his gratitude from the local community and supporters of our military service.
“I would like to start out this morning by expressing my appreciation to the countless supporters of our force and to all those individuals, communities, and organizations that give so much to take care of our Seabees and our families,” said McAlister.
Seabees have been in Port Hueneme onboard Naval Base Ventura County Port Hueneme (previously called Camp Rousseau) since May 18, 1942. NCG-1, in its many forms, has been here since 1944, previously known as the 31st Naval Construction Regiment, 31st Seabee Readiness Group, and ultimately in 2013, Naval Construction Group 1.
“To Naval Construction Group 1, you are an amazing command made up of professional leaders and true patriots,” said McAlister. “I stood before you two years ago and asked you to rethink our business, to operate with a sense of urgency and maximize our effectiveness. You not only met this challenge, but exceeded it beyond my wildest expectations in ever department at every level.”
McAlister will report to Commander, Naval Installations Command, Washington D.C., in July for his next assignment.
In his closing remarks, McAlister addressed the command one last time and expressed his confidence and optimism for the command’s future.
“It has been my upmost honor to serve with each of you in the Pacific Fleet Construction Force and to see the accomplishments and initiative in action," said McAlister. "The Naval Construction Force is better because of the Seabees and Sailors within it owning their missions and executing accordingly.”
The change of command was solidified by the passing of the unit’s colors from McAlister to Riethmiller, a tradition amongst Naval Construction Force units.
NCG 1 prepares Pacific Fleet Naval Construction Force (NCF) units to conduct expeditionary and deliberate construction in support of Combatant Commanders and warfighter requirements. They do this through combat and construction training; equipment and maintenance training; and the logistical and mobilization support of their subordinate units.
NCG 1 exercises administrative control over ten U.S. Navy construction units.