Navy's Newest Naval Coastal Warfare Squadron Commissioned

A commissioning ceremony was held May 20 for Naval Coastal Warfare Squadron (NCWRON) 4 at Hospital Point Park at Naval Medical Center Portsmouth, Va. The pennant of commissioning was broken by the squadron’s first commanding officer, Cmdr. James Campbell, who ordered his Sailors to man their fighting positions and “bring the squadron to life.” NCWRON 4 is the seventh NCWRON, the first active-duty unit on the east coast, and is comprised of a Mobile Inshore Undersea Warfare Unit, Inshore Boat Units (IBU) 41, 42, 43 and staff. “The overall mission of our combined units and staff is to conduct port security, coastal surveillance and interception as necessary, as well as protect any maritime asset and infrastructure that we may be tasked,” said Campbell. “This includes ships, submarines, piers, ports, oil platforms or a new beach head for delivering supplies to support humanitarian assistance.” Campbell continued by saying he was proud of his squadron and that he has a motivated crew. “I like being a part of the squadron,” said Master-at-arms Seaman Apprentice Michael George, a member of the newly-established NCWRON 4. “I feel we are ready and well-prepared.” According to Capt. Brian Barrington, commodore, Naval Coastal Warfare Group 2, the squadron’s primary mission will be anti-terrorism and force protection in harbors and coastal waterways in the continental United States and overseas locations such as Korea, the Persian Gulf and the Horn of Africa region. “While it is important to realize NCWRON 4 is only part of the Navy’s expeditionary force,” said Barrington, “it is clear that NCWRON 4 will become one of the critical command and control elements for these expeditionary forces." NCWRON 4 is the second active-duty squadron created since the Vietnam War and consists of approximately 300 Sailors.

Source: NavNews By Photographer’s Mate Airman Mandy McLaurin, Fleet Public Affairs Center Atlantic