22nd Naval Construction Regiment Holds Change of Command
The ceremony marked the completion of Willey’s more than two years in command of the regiment, which provides command and control, general engineering, and construction expertise to Navy, Marine Corps, and Joint Forces, ensuring operational readiness and delivering adaptable construction solutions for evolving global challenges across the U.S. European Command and U.S. Africa Command areas.
Willey assumed command in July 2024 and led the regiment through a period of significant change in its overseas force posture. During his tenure, 22 NCR consolidated personnel and equipment in Rota, Spain, while transitioning from a largely static rotational presence to more episodic, deploy-for-purpose operations throughout the theater.
Despite the reduced permanent footprint, the regiment continued to employ Seabees and Marine Corps engineers across Europe and Africa in support of U.S. 6th Fleet, Commander, Task Force 68, and allied partner requirements.
“The value of the 22nd Naval Construction Regiment to Commander, U.S. 6th Fleet, is simple: we operationalize the shore,” Willey said. “We build the advanced naval bases that enable distributed maritime operations, clear the channels that allow our warships to maneuver, and repair the runways that keep our aircraft in the fight.”
During Willey’s tour, 22 NCR forces supported major exercises and operations throughout the High North, Baltic region and Africa.
During Northern Viking 2024 and 2026 in Iceland, NCF personnel conducted expeditionary construction and airfield damage repair training while integrating with U.S. and allied forces. During Cold Response 2026 in Norway, Seabees worked alongside Norwegian Army engineers to construct a 20-bay medium girder bridge in extreme cold-weather conditions.
In the Baltic region, the regiment supported BALTOPS 2025 and 2026 with expeditionary camp construction, underwater construction capabilities, port and infrastructure assessments, and engineering cooperation with allied forces. NCF divers also conducted cold-water and ice-diving training with Estonian partners and supported a joint recovery mission in Lithuania in 2025.
Across Africa, Seabees supported maritime security cooperation efforts through engineering and construction projects in Senegal, Gabon, São Tomé and Príncipe, Cameroon and Morocco. Projects included improvements to maritime operations centers, training facilities and infrastructure designed to increase partner capacity and readiness.
“Every pier repair, every airfield damage repair exercise, every advanced base constructed and every bridge built represents a strategic bridge between the United States and our allies,” Willey said.
Willey credited the regiment’s accomplishments to the Seabees, Sailors, Chiefs, officers and supporting personnel who executed missions across the theater.
“No commander succeeds alone, and the achievements of the last two years belong to the extraordinary men and women of this staff and our subordinate units,” Willey said.
Eberhart assumed command of the regiment and responsibility for leading its staff and subordinate forces as they continue supporting NCF requirements across Europe and Africa.
“Standing here as the incoming Commodore, I am humbled by the responsibility, grateful for the trust that has been placed in me, and excited for the opportunity to serve alongside this team,” Eberhart said. “A change of command is more than a ceremony. It is a visible reminder that our mission continues, our standards remain high, and our commitment to one another does not change.”
Eberhart outlined a command philosophy centered on four words: “The Mission. The Team.”
“The Mission gives us purpose,” Eberhart said. “It is why we train, why we prepare, why we hold ourselves to a standard, why we remain ready when called and why we ultimately go to difficult places and do hard things on our nation’s behalf.”
Eberhart said accomplishing that mission depends on the people who make up the regiment.
“The team is how we accomplish that mission,” Eberhart said. “We succeed because we trust one another, take care of each other, hold each other accountable, and build a culture where every Seabee understands that they matter and that their contribution is essential to the Mission.”
He also emphasized innovation as the regiment prepares for changing operational requirements.
“The world changes, the fight changes, the tools change, and the expectations placed upon us change,” Eberhart said. “If a process makes us better, safer, faster, or more lethal, we should pursue it.”
Willey welcomed Eberhart and expressed confidence in the regiment’s continued success.
“You are taking the helm of an elite, real-world-tested and highly capable regiment,” Willey said. “These Seabees, Sailors, Chiefs and officers are the finest our Navy has to offer, and they stand disciplined, competent and warfighting-ready.”
Eberhart closed his remarks by emphasizing service to the Sailors and Seabees he now leads.
“My commitment to you is that I will work every day to earn your trust, support your development, protect our Navy’s standards, and keep our focus where it belongs: on The Mission and on The Team,” Eberhart said.
Willey concluded his remarks by returning to the guidance he gave the regiment when he assumed command.
“To the men and women of Double Deuce: continue to enable the warfighter, continue to be warfighting ready, and continue to do the right thing when no one is looking,” Willey said. “Thank you for the honor of being your commander. 22nd Naval Construction Regiment, build and fight right!”
22 NCR commands Naval Construction Force elements supporting Navy Expeditionary Forces Europe-Africa/Task Force 68 across the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations.
Legal Disclaimer:
EIN Presswire provides this news content "as is" without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
