Navy Expeditionary Engineers Deploy to Strengthen Maritime Security in Europe and Africa
03 April 2025
NAVAL STATION ROTA, Spain - U.S. Navy Seabee Divers, assigned to Underwater Construction Team One (UCT 1), Construction Dive Detachment ALFA (CDD/A), deployed to the U.S. Sixth Fleet (C6F) Area of Operations (AOR) to conduct critical engineering operations in support of maritime security, regional stability, and building partner nation capacity
During the deployment, they will execute critical underwater construction, expeditionary engineering, and maritime infrastructure assessments to enhance operational readiness of C6F and partner forces.
“Our team is ready to deploy our skills in construction, diving, and engineering to support global security efforts and improve operational readiness,” said Lt. j.g. Ehrick Costello, CDD/A’s Officer in Charge. “This mission is about more than construction; it’s about ensuring our Allies and partners have the capabilities they need to maintain security in their waters.”
Throughout the deployment, UCT 1 will operate from Camp Mitchell onboard Naval Station Rota, Spain, using it as a central hub for mission planning, logistics, and coordination efforts.
“Our ability to deploy on short notice and execute complex engineering tasks in challenging environments is critical to ensuring mission success,” said Costello. “This deployment is a testament to our commitment to maritime security and strong international partnerships.”
UCT 1 is a specially trained and equipped unit, within Navy Expeditionary Combat Forces (NECF), that specializes in diving, light salvage, underwater construction, and military engineering operations in austere environments. Their mission ensures U.S. and Allied naval forces can maintain critical infrastructure, respond to security threats, and enhance regional stability.
“UCT 1 is a game-changer for the 22nd Naval Construction Regiment (22NCR) because they bring a capability that no one else has,” said Chief Builder David Madmon. “We can build roads, bridges, and runways all day, but when it comes to ports, piers, and anything underwater, we rely on them. Their work makes sure ships and small craft have safe, operational facilities so we can keep the mission moving, whether it’s in Europe or Africa.”
CTF 68, headquartered in Rota, Spain, commands all Navy Expeditionary Combat Forces in the U.S. European Command (USEUCOM) and U.S. Africa Command (USAFRICOM) areas of responsibility and is responsible for providing EOD operations, naval construction, expeditionary security, and theater security efforts in direct support of U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa (NAVEUR-NAVAF) and U.S. Sixth Fleet.
22nd NCR commands naval construction forces for Navy Expeditionary Combat Forces Europe-Africa/Task Force 68 across the 6th Fleet area of operations to defend U.S., Allied, and partner interests.