Posted on June 19, 2024
Capt. Blake Burket relieved Capt. Robert Stiles as the commanding officer of the Officer in Charge of Construction, OICC, Marine Corps Marianas during a change of command ceremony at Marine Corps Base Camp Blaz on June 12.
Burket reports to OICC Marine Corps Marianas after serving as the operations officer for the Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command Southwest.
“OICC Marine Corps Marianas and the Camp Blaz team are building excellence in creating the first new Marine Corps base in 70 years,” Burket said. “It is my plan to continue to build exceptional new facilities that provide the warfighting foundation that enables the Marine warfighters in their ability to train and mobilize forward at need. Our shared legacy will be a Marine Corps with improved capability, capacity, and readiness due to the hard work of our people.”
Rear Adm. Jeffrey Kilian, NavFac Pacific commander, presided over the ceremony and congratulated Stiles for accomplishments during his time with OICC Marine Corps Marianas.
Stiles assumed command of OICC Marine Corps Marianas in July 2022 and oversaw the completion of construction projects for infrastructure necessary for the Marine Corps and joint forces to train and operate from Guam and the CNMI.
This has been one of the most challenging and rewarding jobs of his 25 years in the Navy, he said.
“As I went to project sites and talked to executive leadership every day, I was reminded that we were doing something historic, and we were doing it safely and as responsible stewards to the environment, the people of Guam, and our Government of Japan partners,” said Stiles. “It was memorable seeing the hard work and dedication of our NAVFAC team translate into real legacy results to support the Marine Corps, our bilateral agreement with Japan, and our national defense.”
Stiles will remain in Guam to take charge of the 30th Naval Construction Regiment headquartered at the Naval Base.
“Understanding history, priorities, and joint capabilities in Micronesia and across the 7th Fleet AOR will be key to continuing to support posture and deterrence in the region,” said Stiles. “The NAVFAC team I have worked with for the last two years will continue to provide a critical link to help ensure those outcomes.”
