Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 11 completed turning over the Seabee's Europe and Africa Naval Construction Force missions to NMCB 1 during a turnover ceremony at Camp Mitchell, the Seabee camp in Naval Station Rota, Spain, Aug. 3, 2015.

The ceremony marked the official end of a seven-month deployment for NMCB 11 after a week-long turnover with NMCB 1. NMCB 1's deployment to Rota is expected to last approximately seven months.

Quotes:
"I can't say enough things about the great stuff we've done here. I am very proud of this battalion and to NMCB 1. My charge to you is to carry out the proud legacy of the Seabees."
- Cmdr. Jorge Cuadros, commander, NMCB 11

"NMCB 11 has executed great mission command, and you got the job done. It's absolutely phenomenal, and you have a very complex operational tempo. You had more exercises, more engagements, more operations and more construction projects than the previous battalion. I know the great foundation that you've built has put us in a position where we are built for success."
- Capt. Joseph Polanin,
commander, Naval Expeditionary Task Force Europe and Africa (CTF 68)

"Thank you NMCB 11 for setting the standard. NMCB 1, we've got it now. We've spent 12 months in homeport training for this so we're prepared to execute the warfighter's mission across the globe. We're here to construct and build."
- Cmdr. Kemit Spears, commander, NMCB 1

Quick Facts:
* Cmdr. Jorge Cuadros, commander, NMCB 11, exchanged salutes with Cmdr. Kemit Spears, commander, NMCB 1, in the presence of Capt. Joseph Polanin, commander, CTF 68, to signify the official transfer of authority.


* Throughout the deployment, the battalion executed more than 30,000 work days of construction, mission support, and direct labor training. This also included 59 projects, 11 recurring missions, general engineering and camp maintenance in 35 countries and territories in four continents.

* An advance party of approximately 150 NMCB 11 Seabees has returned to their homeport in Gulfport, Mississippi, and more than 400 others will arrive home later this month. They will have a stand-down period and then begin their training for their 2016 deployment in early fall.

* U.S. 6th Fleet, headquartered in Naples, Italy, conducts the full spectrum of joint and naval operations, often in concert with allied, joint, and interagency partners, in order to advance U.S. national interests and security and stability in Europe and Africa.

For more news from Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa/U.S. 6th Fleet, visit www.navy.mil/.