A Navy senior medical officer assigned to Commander, Riverine Group (CRG) 2 retired from active duty after serving his Navy and nation for 30 years.

During his retirement ceremony, Capt. Jeffrey Winebrenner was awarded a Meritorious Service Medal for actions performed for CRG 2 from June 2014 through Aug. 2016.

"I am honored to have served in both the operational community and in the medical community during my career," said Winebrenner, who served as the senior medical officer, supervising 56 hospital and independent duty corpsmen. "I could not have asked for a better balance between practicing medicine and operating with our Sailors and Marines."

In that role, Winebrenner developed a medical care infrastructure that bridged five countries, three combatant commanders, and impacted more than 3,100 Sailors assigned to the Coastal Riverine Force (CORIVFOR).

The Frostburg, Maryland native also provided optimal force medical readiness for the entire CORIVFOR during his tour with CRG 2.

"Capt. Winebrenner provided sound medical decision-making, tremendous resourcefulness, and remarkable ability to analyze complex medical issues provided critical recommendations to senior decision makers," according to the award citation.

Additionally, Winebrenner was instrumental in developing a program to enhance deckplate delivery of mental health care for individuals and groups assigned to the CORIVFOR.

"His achievements have culminated a distinctive career of 30 years of loyal and faithful service to his country," according to the award citation.

The Coastal Riverine Force operates in harbors, rivers, bays, across the littorals and ashore. The primary mission of CORIVFOR is to conduct maritime security operations across all phases of military operations by defending high value assets, critical maritime infrastructure, ports and harbors both inland and on coastal waterways against enemies and when commanded conduct offensive combat operations.

CORIVFOR is a component of NECC and provides flexible, responsive maritime security forces capable of performing high level security.

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