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SANTA RITA, Guam
– Maritime Expeditionary Security Squadron (MSRON) 7 was officially disestablished and Maritime Expeditionary Security Group (MESG) 1 Det. Guam was established during a ceremony on U.S. Naval Base Guam, Feb. 3.
The disestablishment of the command is
part of a directive from the vice chief of naval operations. As part
of the plan, MSRON-7 disestablished and restructured as MESG-1 Det.
Guam, which will continue to provide embarked security teams in
support of Pacific Fleet operations.
Rear. Adm. Michael Tillotson, commander of Navy Expeditionary Combat
Command, was the event's guest speaker and described the
disestablishment of the command as an evolution in naval forces.
"You have to be able to adapt," he said. "I think when you look at
the climate that we're in as far as our government in transition,
transitions primarily because of the budgets that we're dealing with
is, we have to be innovative. This force has been innovative and
it's definitely great to be here."
Capt. Eric Moss, MESG-1 commanding officer, commended MSRON-7
Sailors for their hard work and dedication and encouraged them to
continue their efforts fulfilling their mission.
"You should be proud of the record you've helped etch for MSRON-7
that today closes out in our Navy's history books, but then restarts
as a new chapter in maritime security with a force reduced by the
numbers, but not by the talent of the Sailors who will now carry on
as MESG 1 Det. Guam," he said.
More than 150 Sailors from MSRON-7 will continue their tour under
MESG-1 Det. Guam.
During the ceremony, MSRON-7 Commanding Officer Cmdr. David Suchyta
officially disestablished the command as the colors and his pennant
were lowered from the flagpole and MESG-1 Det. Guam's commodore's
pennant was raised.
"It's a very bittersweet moment," he said. "I've been here on Guam
for three years and I will take a lot of great memories with me."
Tillotson presented Suchyta with the Navy Meritorious Service Medal
for his service as MSRON-7's commanding officer. Under Suchyta's
lead, MSRON-7 protected 10 special mission ships operating in the
East and South China Seas, four logistic ships in the Indian Ocean
and Arabian Gulf, 26 aircraft visiting high-threat airfields, and
securely guided high-ranking passengers during special missions.
Additionally, the command was awarded the 2009 Sister Village Award
for executing a community service program that assisted its sister
village of Sinajana.
"To my Sailors, I am proud, I am very proud to count myself among
the professionals who have served at MSRON 7," Suchyta said. "You
never let me down. On short notice you've demonstrated you can pack
up, go to a foreign land, sustain yourselves and accomplish the
mission. You've embraced the necessary thoughtful planning,
realistic training and steady discipline."
MSRON-7 Executive Officer Cmdr. Michael O'Driscoll was assigned as
the officer-in-charge of MESG-1 Det. Guam.
"I feel honored to be asked to be the officer-in-charge of Det.
Guam," O'Driscoll said. "The importance of Guam and what the Sailors
here do is why there's so much of a fight to keep us here," he said. |
