Source: United States Navy
Flood also assumes responsibility as regional engineer for Commander, Navy Regions Japan and Korea. Rear Adm. Dean VanderLey, Commander, Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command and 46th chief of Civil Engineers, presided over the ceremony.
“I’m honored and beyond humbled to join this impressive multinational team that has a long history of providing exceptional shore technical support to our Fleet and joint operations,” said Flood, a Summerville, S.C. native. “I’m excited to pilot this tremendous organization as it contributes the Navy’s urgent demands for readiness, capability, and capacity in pursuit of a free and open Indo-Pacific.”
Flood most recently commanded the 30th Naval Construction Regiment (30 NCR) in Guam, which provides command and control over all Naval Construction Force units in the 7th Fleet area of operations. He also participated in seven deployments, three in support of Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom.
He takes the helm from DeWitt, who worked previously at NAVFAC Far East, as public works officer from 2007 until 2010. Yokosuka was also his first duty assignment from 1994 to 1996 when he served aboard the forward-deployed frigate USS Rodney M. Davis (FFG 60) as a surface warfare officer. DeWitt’s naval service began in 1993 after graduating from the University of Illinois with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering and received his commission through the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps program. He is a registered Professional Engineer in the State of Illinois.
During the ceremony, VanderLey presented DeWitt with the Legion of Merit, gold star in lieu of a third award. He also received a Letter of Appreciation from Shunko Gakuen, a home for Japanese children separated from their parents which Seabees and NAVFAC members have been sponsoring and providing support to since 1945.
While DeWitt led NAVFAC Far East he led 2,142 personnel at 11 Public Works Departments across two Navy Regions to execute an annual investment program of $1 billion that directly enhanced U.S. 7th Fleet, III Marine Expeditionary Force, Navy and Department of Defense activities throughout the Indo-Pacific Area of Responsibility, according to the award citation.
He also enabled 7th Fleet operational capabilities through construction of three Navigation, Seamanship, and Ship handling Trainers; and the U.S. 7th Fleet shore continuity of operations facility. He enhanced operational capabilities by seeing through completion of the $174 million Pier 5 replacement project.
“NAVFAC Far East was an incredible command to wrap up my Navy career,” said DeWitt, an Oregon, Ill. native. “It’s the diversity of people and cultures who made it a truly special place. Working together, we were able to make advancements on game-changing Fleet priority projects including state-of-the-art ship simulator facilities and a new fixed concrete pier to support 7th Fleet ships in Yokosuka. These were rare opportunities that allowed the drive and focus of our people to highlight what NAVFAC brings to the fight as a systems command. Starting my Navy career and finishing it in Japan was an opportunity the Navy afforded me that I’m extremely grateful for.”
Flood was commissioned in 1997 as an ensign in the Civil Engineer Corps through the Officer Candidate School, Pensacola, Fla., and holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Clemson University as well as graduate degrees in Business Administration and Civil Engineering from Auburn and North Carolina State Universities, respectively. He is a registered Professional Engineer in the State of Washington.
“This is my second consecutive command tour within the 7th Fleet area of operations,” said Flood. “I hope to leverage that regional experience to continue enhancing NAVFAC’s agile warfighter support that was delivered solidly on target by Capt. DeWitt.”
NAVFAC Far East has a workforce of more than 2,000 military, U.S. civilian and host nation employees who provide a full range of facilities and engineering services to Navy, Marine Corps and other federal agencies in Japan, Korea, Singapore and the British Indian Ocean Territory (Diego Garcia).
Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command: The Facilities and Expeditionary Combat Systems Command
NAVFAC is the Systems Command that delivers and maintains quality, sustainable facilities, acquires and manages capabilities for the Navy’s expeditionary combat forces, provides contingency engineering response, and enables energy security and environmental stewardship. Additional updates and information about NAVFAC can be found on social media sites Facebook and Twitter. Become a Fan at www.facebook.com/navfac.