Command History How the SEACON vessel affected the EXWC of today
A Bit of Command History Written by: Cmdr. Charles Bisgard, P.E. & Sarah G. MacMillan, Deputy Public Affairs Officer
If you have been working for the NAVFAC enterprise for a few years, you likely know EXWC’s history involves several consolidations of NAVFAC Commands over several decades. EXWC’s family tree is confusing; with several command consolidations and mergers over a lengthy period, personnel also consolidated and merged. These consolidations and mergers brought together scientists, technicians and engineers with vast areas of expertise—especially for EXWC’s Oceans Facilities Department. This information is important to note, because as you continue reading, you will see how the changes EXWC has previously undergone has deeply contributed to the ongoing success of one of EXWC’s most diverse departments. Have you heard of the SEACON vessel? From 1976 through the late 1980’s, the SEACON (acronym for sea construction) vessel was a major workhouse for NAVFAC’s Ocean Construction Project Office—then known by FPO1— known today as EXWC’s Oceans Facilities Department. Although the SEACON vessel retired decades ago, the SEACON’s culture of teaming engineers, technicians and divers to see through complicated programs and projects still exists today. These successes are at the heart of what makes EXWC’s programs successful, and offers EXWC new capabilities and authorities—like becoming a Science and Technology Reinvention Laboratory.
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