NCTC Gulfport has new boss

GULFPORT, Miss. - Cmdr. Russell Bates relieved Cmdr. Ana Franco as commanding officer of Naval Construction Training Center (NCTC) Gulfport during a May 23 change of command. Bates is a graduate of Excelsior College in New York with a Bachelor of Science in administration management studies with a focus in biology. He previously served as chief staff officer at the 22nd Naval Construction Regiment in Gulfport. Franco received the Meritorious Service Medal for service at NCTC. During her tenure, the command graduated more than 16,000 students from all seven Seabee ratings, along with Air Force and Army students attending Builder "A" school, as part of an Inter-service Training Review Organization agreement. Franco’s next assignment will be as operations officer for Naval Facilities Engineering Command in Washington, D.C. (Source: Center for Seabees and Engineering 06/05/18)