Naval Facilities Engineering and Expeditionary Warfare Center (NAVFAC EXWC) held a change of command ceremony onboard Naval Base Ventura County, Sept. 14.

Capt. John J. Adametz relieved Capt. Jayson D. Mitchell as commanding officer. Mitchell will retire from active duty after more than 25 years of honorable service and return to his home state of Massachusetts.

"Thank you all so much for the tour of a lifetime," said Mitchell, the outgoing NAVFAC EXWC commanding officer. "I am deeply grateful for all your efforts and so proud to share in your accomplishments. I wish you all the best in health, happiness and mission success!"

Mitchell thanked each EXWC department separately in his final speech as commanding officer. He spoke about the command's numerous engineering and expeditionary technological accomplishments. He also expressed gratitude to his administrative, financial, and human resources staff for their work during his time at the command.

Chief of Civil Engineers and Commander, Naval Facilities Engineering Command Rear Adm. Bret Muilenburg attended the ceremony and delivered the key note address.

"I only have three minutes to describe EXWC," Muilenburg said as he spoke about the amount of time he'll have to explain what EXWC does to the chief of naval operations during an upcoming NAVFAC headquarters orientation visit. "May I just say, EXWC is a world-class logistics, research and development, acquisition, and program management organization for energy, utilities, environmental, expeditionary equipment, oceans facilities, shore facilities, information technology, and anti-terrorism force protection programs."

Muilenburg spoke extensively on the mission of EXWC and explained how it does so much amazing work, that he finds it difficult to keep up with all the projects the organization conducts.

He concluded his remarks by saying "EXWC is a tremendous organization that continues to do amazing and complicated things across a broad area of responsibility. Technology driven, warfighter focused. I like that motto!"

Adametz arrives in Ventura County with 28 years of experience as a naval officer. He graduated from the Virginia Military Institute in 1989 with a degree in mechanical engineering, and also holds a graduate degree in civil engineering from the Pennsylvania State University, an executive master of business administration from the Naval Postgraduate School, and is a graduate of the executive program at the University of Virginia.

He brings a wealth of expertise to Port Hueneme as a registered professional engineer, a project management professional, certified facility manager, certified energy manager, a member of the Navy Acquisition Professional Community and Society of American Military Engineers.

"We will build on the foundation, relationships and outstanding accomplishments achieved under Capt. Mitchell's leadership," Adametz said. "We will team with our higher headquarters to resolve challenges, execute our tactical missions of today, and plan our strategy for the enduring mission of tomorrow, for the benefit of our Navy and nation. And we will succeed brilliantly."

Muilenburg saluted as he gave verbal approval for Adametz to relieve Mitchell as the third EXWC commander. This long standing Navy tradition immediately passed full responsibility and authority of a staff of professionals presently conducting more than 500 worldwide projects in support the Department of the Navy mission to Adametz.

NAVFAC EXWC is a command of more than 1,300 dedicated federal employees, contractors, and military personnel who live in Ventura County communities supporting and providing specialized facilities engineering, technology solutions, and life-cycle management of expeditionary equipment to the Navy, Marine Corps, federal agencies, and other Department of Defense supported commands.

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