Gulfport Seabee CMDCM relieved

Master Chief Keith Lefebvre, command master chief (CMDCM) of the Gulfport, Miss.-based Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 133 (NMBC 133) was relieved of duty in January in connection with allegations, and an ongoing NCIS probe, regarding personal misconduct, according to Cmdr. Cate Cook, a spokesperson with Navy Expeditionary Combat Command. Navy officials confirmed the action Feb. 22. Officials declined to provide additional information due to the ongoing investigation. Master Chief Joseph George has temporarily assumed duty as the battalion’s CMDCM until a permanent replacement is named. (Source: Navy Times 02/22/18) NMCB 133 is a deployable Navy Seabee battalion homeported at Gulfport. In August 2005, within days of Hurricane Katrina’s devastation to the northern Gulf Coast, Gulfport Seabee units, including NMCB 133, rushed out to clear roads for emergency workers as part of Joint Task Force Katrina; and in ensuing weeks provided humanitarian aid to the area, including the critical repair of lift stations, cleaning and repair of government buildings and schools, and distributing food, water and clothing to local residents.