US Navy ousts head of First Naval Construction Regiment

January 30, 2026, by Fatima Bahtić

The US Navy has relieved the commodore of First Naval Construction Regiment (1 NCR) due to loss of confidence in his ability to command.

Capt. Douglas Whimpey, a navy reservist, was removed from his position by Capt. Angel Santiago, commander of Naval Construction Group One (NCG-1), which is based in Port Hueneme, California. The US Navy did not disclose further details surrounding the decision.

The navy said that its leaders are expected to meet the highest standards of responsibility, reliability and leadership, and are held accountable when they fail to do so.

Officials added that the leadership change has had no impact on ongoing operations.

Capt. Steven Sherman has assumed duties as the incoming commodore of 1 NCR. Whimpey, who took command in February 2023, has been temporarily reassigned to the staff at NCG-1.

Naval Construction Regiments provide command and control for Naval Construction Force units operating in specific geographic areas or supporting military missions. They provide command and control for multiple Naval Mobile Construction Battalions and other Seabee units while deployed in designated geographic areas or in support of specific military operations, according to the US Navy.

The regiments are responsible for planning, coordinating and overseeing expeditionary construction missions, including infrastructure development, base support and contingency engineering in joint and combined operating environments. They also serve as the primary link between higher Navy and joint commands and deployed construction units.