Three Navy Expeditionary Combat Command (NECC) commands took top honors in the annual 2015 Chief of Naval Operations Expeditionary Safety Awards.

The CNO Expeditionary Safety Award is presented annually on a fiscal year basis to expeditionary activities.

The award is based on the expeditionary commands' overall quality of their safety programs, mishap prevention records, and contributions to the Navy's expeditionary safety program.

In a message released by the U.S. Navy Safety Center, Feb. 17, Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit (EODMU) 3, Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 5, and Coastal Riverine Squadron 4 were recognized for their safety initiatives.

"These award winners are recognized for their exceptional professionalism, commitment to excellence, solid leadership and teamwork, and an in-depth risk management culture which resulted in safe and effective operations," according to a Naval Safety Center naval message, released on Feb. 17.

Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 5, selected to receive an award in the category of Expeditionary-Related Safety Award, Naval Construction Forces Command for their robust safety initiatives in executing 25,000 hours over the course of their deployment in 2015 across 12 countries to include participation in Exercises Balikatan, Pacific Partnership, and Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training. NMCB 5 was also recognized for creating a culture of safety during all on and off-duty activities.

"The men and women of NMCB 5 should be immensely proud of their selection," said Cmdr. Matthew Riethmiller, commanding officer, NMCB 5. "While a tremendous honor, it symbolizes the strength of the Naval Construction Force as a whole -- small unit leadership by our petty officers, chiefs and junior officers."

EODMU 3, one of the recipients of the annual expeditionary safety award in the category of Navy Explosives Ordnance Disposal Command, was recognized for ensuring safety is an integral part in everything they do while deployed throughout the world.

"EODMU 3 takes safety personally at every level; we think of this command as our family and our facilities as our home," said Cmdr. John Porter, commanding officer, EODMU 3. "We look out for our family and take care of our home."

Coastal Riverine Squadron 4, selected to receive an award in the category of Navy Riverine Command, was recognized for its expeditionary maritime security capabilities during their 2015 deployment to four component commands, as well as oversight for off-duty safety initiatives.

NECC is an enduring warfighting force providing sea-to-shore and inland operating environment capabilities across the full range of military operations that is focused on delivering combat effective expeditionary forces ready for worldwide operations now and into the future.

For more news from Navy Expeditionary Combat Command, visit http://www.navy.mil/.