Change of Command at Gulfport NCBC
A new commander takes the helm at Gulfport’s Naval Construction Battalion Center. It’s a history making day as the base welcomes its first female commander, Captain Cheryl Hansen.
Dozens of people were on hand as Captain Cheryl Hansen officially assumed command during today’s change of command ceremony, a ritual that formally restates authority of command at the Naval Construction Battalion Center in Gulfport. Among the honored guests were Captain Hansen’s family and friends. “My family has never really had the opportunity to participate in ceremonies of this type. And a lot of them, this is their first exposure to a military event. So, that was quite meaningful to me.”
Hansen spent the last two years in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii as a deputy fleet engineer. She now takes the place of former Commanding Officer Captain Paul Odenthal. “She’s a great leader with experience from previous command positions,” said Odenthal, “and I’m very excited to give the command to her and very assured that she will do an absolute terrific job.”
Captain Hansen is the first female commander of the Gulfport NCBC. She tells News 25 this is a representation of the opportunities opening up to women across the Department of Defense. “It’s really about performance, regardless of sex,” said Hansen, “So, from that perspective, I’m very thankful I have leaders who have supported me throughout my career, and enabled me to get to this point through education, through the credentials that I needed to get here.”
Captain Hansen won’t have to travel too far to seek advice from former command. As of 1 p.m. today, Captain Odenthal is now the Commander of Naval Construction Group 2 at the center. “I’m very excited to stay here in the local area. Great place to be. And any day I can spend doing good things with Seabees and for Seabees and for our nation, I’m happy to do that.”
NCBC Gulfport provides support and services to 37 shore based resident commands and five home ported naval construction force units.
Dozens of people were on hand as Captain Cheryl Hansen officially assumed command during today’s change of command ceremony, a ritual that formally restates authority of command at the Naval Construction Battalion Center in Gulfport. Among the honored guests were Captain Hansen’s family and friends. “My family has never really had the opportunity to participate in ceremonies of this type. And a lot of them, this is their first exposure to a military event. So, that was quite meaningful to me.”
Hansen spent the last two years in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii as a deputy fleet engineer. She now takes the place of former Commanding Officer Captain Paul Odenthal. “She’s a great leader with experience from previous command positions,” said Odenthal, “and I’m very excited to give the command to her and very assured that she will do an absolute terrific job.”
Captain Hansen is the first female commander of the Gulfport NCBC. She tells News 25 this is a representation of the opportunities opening up to women across the Department of Defense. “It’s really about performance, regardless of sex,” said Hansen, “So, from that perspective, I’m very thankful I have leaders who have supported me throughout my career, and enabled me to get to this point through education, through the credentials that I needed to get here.”
Captain Hansen won’t have to travel too far to seek advice from former command. As of 1 p.m. today, Captain Odenthal is now the Commander of Naval Construction Group 2 at the center. “I’m very excited to stay here in the local area. Great place to be. And any day I can spend doing good things with Seabees and for Seabees and for our nation, I’m happy to do that.”
NCBC Gulfport provides support and services to 37 shore based resident commands and five home ported naval construction force units.
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