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Engineering Naval Foundations

An in-depth exploration of the United States Navy's premier engineering systems command, from its historical roots to its modern global operations and critical support functions.

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What is NAVFAC?

Naval Engineering Authority

The Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command (NAVFAC) serves as the United States Navy's principal engineering systems command. Its core mission involves furnishing the Navy and the United States Marine Corps with essential facilities and expeditionary engineering expertise.[1] Headquartered at the historic Washington Navy Yard, NAVFAC operates under the strategic leadership of the Chief of Civil Engineers, currently Rear Admiral Dean VanderLey.[1]

A Legacy of Service

NAVFAC holds the distinction of being the oldest among the Navy's system commands, tracing its origins back to August 1842 when it was established as the Bureau of Yards and Docks. The dedicated officers who form the Navy Civil Engineer Corps (CEC) were formally constituted in March 1867, providing a specialized engineering cadre for the Navy's infrastructure needs.[2]

Evolution of a Command

The organization underwent a significant transformation in 1966 during a comprehensive reorganization of the Department of the Navy, at which point the Bureau of Yards and Docks was renamed the Naval Facilities Engineering Command. Further evolution occurred in October 2020, when the command's name was updated to its current designation, the Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command, to more accurately reflect its expanded authority and mission scope.[2]

Historical Trajectory

The Bureau of Yards and Docks (1842-1966)

Established on August 31, 1842, the Bureau of Navy Yards and Docks (BuDocks) initially focused on the design, construction, and maintenance of Navy yards and a limited number of other shore stations. Captain Lewis Warrington, a line officer, along with six civilian employees, were tasked with overseeing public works at the seven existing Navy yards along the eastern seaboard.[2]

  • 19th Century Expansion: Guided the temporary expansion of shore establishments during the American Civil War and oversaw the development of permanent Navy yards on the Pacific Coast, including Mare Island, California, and Puget Sound, Washington.[2]
  • Spanish-American War (1898): Precipitated a significant increase in activities, expanding the civilian workforce and the Civil Engineer Corps (CEC). This era saw the construction of naval stations in Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines, alongside the modernization of existing yards and the construction of new ones.[2]
  • Early 20th Century Consolidation: In 1911, Congress consolidated the design and construction of all naval shore stations under BuDocks' control, centralizing public works responsibilities previously distributed among various bureaus.[2]
  • World War I (1916-1918): Experienced immense growth, expending $347 million on public works, surpassing all previous expenditures. This included 35 naval training stations, submarine bases, and naval air stations across multiple continents.[2]

Wartime Mobilization and the Seabees

The period between the World Wars saw retrenchment, but the onset of World War II dramatically transformed BuDocks' role. After the attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941, the Navy's military construction program became global in scale. To meet the demand for construction in war zones, Rear Admiral Ben Moreell, Chief of BuDocks, initiated the recruitment of experienced construction workers into the Navy in 1942, leading to the formation of the Naval Construction Force, famously known as the Seabees.[2]

The 325,000 men recruited for the Seabees during World War II, led by Reserve CEC officers, built critical advance bases across six continents and throughout the Pacific, making the Navy's extensive construction program possible.[2] By 1945, the naval shore establishment's value had soared to $6.5 billion from less than half a billion in 1939, all under BuDocks' cognizance.[2]

The Korean War presented new challenges, with CEC officers and Seabees constructing bases across the Pacific, including landing causeways and air bases in Korea.[2]

NAVFAC's Modern Era (1966-Present)

In May 1966, the Bureau of Yards and Docks was reorganized and renamed the Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC). During the Vietnam War, NAVFAC served as the primary contract construction agent for Southeast Asia, overseeing approximately $1.8 billion in military construction.[2]

  • Post-Vietnam Adjustments: Following the U.S. withdrawal in 1973, NAVFAC consolidated its 13 engineering field divisions into six, focusing on personnel facilities, environmental protection, and energy conservation for the all-volunteer Navy.[2]
  • 1980s Peacetime Buildup: The early 1980s saw a significant military expansion, with over $5 billion appropriated for Navy MILCON projects between fiscal years 1982 and 1985 to support a growing fleet.[2]
  • Post-Cold War Realignment: The collapse of the Soviet Union led to the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) Program. NAVFAC managed the disposal of 72 unneeded bases for the Navy and Marine Corps between 1988 and 1995.[2]
  • Organizational Transformation: In October 2003, the Commander Naval Installations Command (CNIC) was established to standardize shore installation management. In 2004, NAVFAC itself realigned its organizational structure, consolidating field activities into regional Facilities Engineering Commands (FECs) to provide a uniform, enterprise approach to its mission.[2]
  • Renaming to NAVFAC Systems Command: On October 14, 2020, the command was officially renamed the Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command, adding "Systems" to accurately reflect its comprehensive authority and mission.[15]

Organizational Structure

Leadership Hierarchy

NAVFAC's leadership is structured to ensure effective command and operational oversight. Key leadership positions include:

  • Chief of Civil Engineers: The senior officer of the Civil Engineer Corps, who also commands NAVFAC. Currently, Rear Admiral Dean VanderLey holds this position.[1]
  • Executive Director: Responsible for the civilian workforce and day-to-day operations. Paul A. Pollock currently serves as the acting Executive Director.
  • Deputy Commander: Supports the Chief of Civil Engineers in command functions. Rear Admiral Troy M. McClelland is the current Deputy Commander.
  • Force Master Chief: The senior enlisted advisor, providing leadership and guidance to the enlisted personnel. Kevin M. Nolan holds this role.

Global Component Commands

As of 2015, NAVFAC comprised 13 component commands, with nine designated as Facilities Engineering Commands (FECs) that report to either NAVFAC Atlantic or NAVFAC Pacific.[14] These regional commands are crucial for delivering localized engineering and acquisition support.

NAVFAC Atlantic (Norfolk, VA)

  • NAVFAC Europe Africa Central (EURAFCENT) in Naples, Italy
  • NAVFAC Mid-Atlantic (ML) in Norfolk, VA
  • NAVFAC Southeast (SE) in Jacksonville, FL
  • NAVFAC Washington (WASH) in Washington, D.C.

NAVFAC Pacific (Pearl Harbor, Hawaii)

  • NAVFAC Far East (FE) in Yokosuka, Japan
  • NAVFAC Hawaii (HI) in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii
  • NAVFAC Marianas (MAR) in Piti, Guam
  • NAVFAC Northwest (NW) in Silverdale, WA
  • NAVFAC Southwest (SW) in San Diego, CA

Specialty Commands

  • Navy Crane Center (NCC) at Norfolk Naval Shipyard, Portsmouth, Virginia
  • Naval Facilities Engineering and Expeditionary Warfare Center (EXWC) at Naval Base Ventura County, Port Hueneme, California

Business Lines

Asset Management

This business line is responsible for the comprehensive real estate function for the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps. Its activities encompass acquisitions, disposals, easements, and leases, alongside the strategic oversight of global and regional shore planning.[5]

Design and Construction

Focused on delivering critical infrastructure, this line manages facilities project development, design, and construction. It also provides specialized expertise in medical facilities, as well as waterfront and ocean facilities, ensuring robust and functional naval infrastructure.[6]

Environmental Stewardship

The Environmental business line provides essential management and technical support to ensure the Navy and Marine Corps comply with federal, state, local, and host nation environmental regulations, promoting responsible stewardship of resources.[7]

Expeditionary Support

This line offers vital support to a broad community of expeditionary forces ashore, including the Navy Expeditionary Combat Command, Naval Beach Groups, Naval Special Warfare, and Navy Expeditionary Medical Support, enabling rapid deployment and operational readiness.[8]

Public Works

Public Works supports installation infrastructure through various services, including facility management, utilities and energy management, base support vehicles and equipment, facility support contracts management, and general facility services, ensuring smooth base operations.[9]

Small Business Programs

The Office of Small Business Programs is dedicated to fostering opportunities for small businesses to participate in NAVFAC contracts, contributing to economic growth and diversifying the industrial base.[10]

Safety & Hazard Abatement

This business line focuses on mishap prevention and hazard abatement, ensuring a safe working environment for all personnel involved in naval facilities and operations.[11]

Real Estate Operations

Responsible for the acquisition, management, and disposal of real estate interests, this function ensures that the Navy and Marine Corps have the necessary land and property to support their global missions.[12]

Administrative Archives

Environmental Restoration Records

NAVFAC meticulously archives administrative records pertinent to the environmental restoration efforts at its naval facilities. These records are vital for tracking progress, ensuring compliance, and informing future environmental initiatives.

As of 2022, these critical records are systematically grouped into five distinct U.S. regions:

  • Northwest
  • Hawaii
  • Southwest
  • Midatlantic
  • Southeast[17]

This structured archiving ensures that historical data on environmental conditions and remediation activities remains accessible for ongoing management and regulatory reporting.

Chiefs of Civil Engineers

A historical overview of the Chiefs of Civil Engineers who have led NAVFAC and its predecessor, the Bureau of Yards and Docks.

No. Chief of Civil Engineer Took Office Left Office Time in Office Command Chief of Naval Operations
46RADM Dean VanderLey[18]12 August 2022Incumbent3 years, 45 daysNaval Facilities Engineering Systems CommandMichael M. Gilday
Lisa Franchetti
45RADM John W. Korka[19]19 October 201812 August 20223 years, 297 daysNaval Facilities Engineering Systems CommandJohn M. Richardson
Michael M. Gilday
44RADM Bret J. Muilenburg[20]4 November 201519 October 20182 years, 349 daysNaval Facilities Engineering CommandJohn M. Richardson
43RADM Katherine L. Gregory[21]26 October 20124 November 20153 years, 9 daysNaval Facilities Engineering CommandJonathan Greenert
John M. Richardson
42RADM Christopher J. Mossey[22]21 May 201026 October 20122 years, 158 daysNaval Facilities Engineering CommandGary Roughead
Jonathan Greenert
41RADM Wayne "Greg" Shear27 October 200621 May 20103 years, 206 daysNaval Facilities Engineering CommandMichael Mullen
Gary Roughead
40RADM Michael K. Loose24 October 200327 October 20063 years, 3 daysNaval Facilities Engineering CommandVern Clark
Michael Mullen
39RADM Michael R. Johnson20 October 200024 October 20033 years, 4 daysNaval Facilities Engineering CommandVern Clark
38RADM Louis M. Smith25 September 199820 October 20002 years, 25 daysNaval Facilities Engineering CommandJay L. Johnson
Vern Clark
37RADM David J. Nash15 September 199525 September 19983 years, 10 daysNaval Facilities Engineering CommandMichael Boorda
Jay L. Johnson
36RADM Jack E. Buffington18 September 199215 September 19952 years, 362 daysNaval Facilities Engineering CommandFrank Kelso
Michael Boorda
35RADM David E. Bottorff27 October 198918 September 19922 years, 327 daysNaval Facilities Engineering CommandCarlisle Trost
Frank Kelso
34RADM Benjamin F. Montoya14 August 198727 October 19892 years, 74 daysNaval Facilities Engineering CommandCarlisle Trost
33RADM John Paul Jones Jr.31 August 198414 August 19872 years, 348 daysNaval Facilities Engineering CommandJames D. Watkins
Carlisle Trost
32RADM William M. Zobel15 January 198131 August 19843 years, 229 daysNaval Facilities Engineering CommandThomas B. Hayward
James D. Watkins
31RADM Donald G. Iselin27 May 197715 January 19813 years, 233 daysNaval Facilities Engineering CommandJames L. Holloway III
Thomas B. Hayward
30RADM Albert R. Marschall11 May 197327 May 19774 years, 16 daysNaval Facilities Engineering CommandElmo Zumwalt
James L. Holloway III
29RADM Walter M. Enger29 August 196911 May 19733 years, 255 daysNaval Facilities Engineering CommandThomas Hinman Moorer
Elmo Zumwalt
28RADM Alexander C. Husband1 November 196529 August 19693 years, 301 daysNaval Facilities Engineering CommandDavid L. McDonald
Thomas Hinman Moorer
27RADM Peter Corradi12 February 196231 October 19653 years, 261 daysBureau of Yards and DocksGeorge Whelan Anderson Jr.
David L. McDonald
26RADM Eugene J. Peltier2 December 195730 January 19624 years, 59 daysBureau of Yards and DocksArleigh Burke
George Whelan Anderson Jr.
25RADM Robert H. Meade8 November 195530 November 19572 years, 22 daysBureau of Yards and DocksArleigh Burke
24RADM John Richard Perry3 November 195325 September 19551 year, 326 daysBureau of Yards and DocksRobert Carney
Arleigh Burke
23RADM Joseph F. Jelley1 December 19493 November 19533 years, 337 daysBureau of Yards and DocksForrest Sherman
Lynde D. McCormick
William Fechteler
Robert Carney
22RADM John J. Manning[23]1 December 19451 December 19494 years, 0 daysBureau of Yards and DocksErnest J. King
Chester W. Nimitz
Louis E. Denfeld
Forrest Sherman
21RADM Ben Moreell1 December 19371 December 19458 years, 0 daysBureau of Yards and DocksWilliam D. Leahy
Harold Rainsford Stark
Ernest J. King
20RADM Norman M. Smith23 December 193330 November 19373 years, 342 daysBureau of Yards and DocksWilliam Harrison Standley
William D. Leahy
19RADM Archibald L. Parsons23 December 192922 December 19333 years, 364 daysBureau of Yards and DocksCharles Frederick Hughes
William V. Pratt
William Harrison Standley
18RADM Luther E. Gregory20 December 192121 December 19298 years, 1 dayBureau of Yards and DocksRobert Coontz
Edward Walter Eberle
Charles Frederick Hughes
17RADM Charles W. Parks11 January 191815 December 19213 years, 338 daysBureau of Yards and DocksWilliam S. Benson
Robert Coontz
16RADM Frederic R. Harris21 January 191630 November 19171 year, 313 daysBureau of Yards and DocksWilliam S. Benson
15RADM Homer R. Stanford14 January 191213 January 19163 years, 364 daysBureau of Yards and DocksCharles E. Vreeland
Bradley A. Fiske
William S. Benson
14RADM Richard C. Hollyday26 March 190713 January 19124 years, 293 daysBureau of Yards and DocksRichard Wainwright
Charles E. Vreeland
13RADM Harry H. Rousseau6 January 190725 March 190778 daysBureau of Yards and Docks
12RADM Mordecai T. Endicott4 April 18985 January 19078 years, 276 daysBureau of Yards and Docks
11CDRE Edmund O. Matthews21 March 189416 March 18983 years, 360 daysBureau of Yards and Docks
10CDRE Norman H. Farquhar6 March 18906 March 18944 years, 0 daysBureau of Yards and Docks
9CDRE George D. White2 April 188927 February 1890331 daysBureau of Yards and Docks
8CDRE David B. Harmony27 March 18852 April 18894 years, 6 daysBureau of Yards and Docks
7CDRE Edward T. Nichols4 June 18811 March 18853 years, 270 daysBureau of Yards and Docks
6CDRE Richard L. Law1 July 18784 June 18812 years, 338 daysBureau of Yards and Docks
5CDRE John C. Howell21 September 18741 July 18783 years, 283 daysBureau of Yards and Docks
4CDRE Christopher R. P. Rodgers1 October 187121 September 18742 years, 355 daysBureau of Yards and Docks
3CAPT Daniel Ammen1 May 18691 October 18712 years, 153 daysBureau of Yards and Docks
2CAPT Joseph Smith25 May 18461 May 186922 years, 341 daysBureau of Yards and Docks
1CAPT Lewis Warrington31 August 184225 May 18463 years, 267 daysBureau of Yards and Docks

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References

References

  1.  About the Naval Facilities Engineering Command. Retrieved 23 March 2015.
  2.  NAVFAC Midwest Holds Disestablishment Ceremony. Retrieved 23 March 2015.
  3.  Navy Biography: Dean VanderLey
  4.  Navy Biography: John W. Korka
  5.  Navy Biography: Bret J. Muilenburg
  6.  Navy Biography: Katherine L. Gregory
  7.  Navy Biography: Christopher J. Mossey
A full list of references for this article are available at the Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command Wikipedia page

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