Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NCMB) 3 welcomed their new commanding officer during a change-of-command ceremony held at Naval Base Ventura County, June 19.

Cmdr. Laurie Scott, previously assigned as the operations officer for Naval Construction Group 1 and the 30th Naval Construction Regiment, relieved Cmdr. Gordon E. Meek, who will go on to serve at the Pentagon.

"This scene and this moment existed only in my mind for many years; a true dream," said Meek. "It was such a rich emotional ride, all-engrossing and all-consuming. To have led this battalion, I would have not traded it for anything."

The change of command was solidified by the passing of the battalion colors from Meek to Scott, a tradition among the Naval Construction Force.

After the passing of the colors, Scott addressed the nearly 600 Seabees of NMCB 3 for the first time as their commanding officer.

"I am humbled at the opportunity to join this battalion where I did my first Seabee tour," he said. "I look forward to leading this unbeatable team. I pledge my total commitment in supporting the troops, their families, and to the country we proudly serve."

One of the first battalions commissioned at the start of World War II, NMCB 3 has the ability to build and fight anywhere in the world, as either a full battalion or as autonomous detachments, completing critical engineering and construction missions simultaneously.

The "Better Than Best" battalion is preparing for deployment to the Pacific region scheduled later this summer.

NMCB 3 provides combatant commanders and Navy component commanders with combat-ready warfighters capable of general engineering, construction and limited combat engineering across the full range of military operations.

For more news from Naval Construction Group 1, visit www.navy.mil/