Navy Cargo Handling Battalion (NCHB) 1 opened its new headquarters and training building on board Naval Weapons Station (WPNSTA) Yorktown-Cheatham Annex with a ribbon-cutting ceremony July 1.

The new building has more than $3 million in energy efficient technology, including solar panels, room motion sensors to control lighting, and rainwater harvesting. The facility was constructed using 10% recycled content in steel, brick and other materials.

The building was awarded a 2009 LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Silver certification, version 2.2, by the U.S. Green Building Council. LEED ratings acknowledge and promote environmentally friendly self-sustaining construction and development.

Some key self-sustaining energy features of the new building include:

a geo-thermal water loop heat pump system
two rooftop solar panels that augment the building’s hot water system.
A water harvesting system that includes an 8000-gallon underground tank that feeds captured rainwater from the roof.
The water is then double-filtered and pumped back for use in toilets and urinals.
Occupancy sensors are installed throughout the building to control lighting and to interface with the system that runs the heat pumps.
Environment-friendly features extend to the outside of the building where exterior lighting is controlled by timers and uses photocells and LEDs (light-emitting diode). Convenient parking is designated for low-emission and fuel-efficient vehicles.

“We bring the best and brightest young talent into our Navy and they deserve the best training and training facilities that we can provide,” said Rear Adm. Patricia E. Wolfe, commander, Navy Expeditionary Logistics Support Group (NAVELSG). “Now we at NCHB-1 are able to give them quality spaces in which to work and train.”

“The need for such energy saving measures cannot be understated given the aggressive conservation and renewable goals set by the Secretary of the Navy,” said Capt. Mark Libonate, commanding officer, Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Mid-Atlantic.

Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus laid out five aggressive energy goals in October 2009 to improve our energy security and efficiency, increase our energy independence, and help lead the nation toward a clean energy economy.

This initiative assists in achieving the energy goal of increasing alternative energy afloat and ashore where by 2020, the Department of the Navy (DON) will produce at least 50 percent of shore-based energy requirements from alternative sources and 50 percent of DON installations will be net-zero.

“The ribbon cutting for NCHB 1 headquarters is just the first of many exciting developments and expansions coming in the next 10 years for WPNSTA Yorktown/Cheatham Annex,” said Capt. Lowell Crow, commanding officer, WPNSTA Yorktown-Cheatham Annex. “Our facilities will grow and excel to keep pace with our expanding missions.”

NHCB 1 is a subordinate unit of NAVELSG.

The 38,960 square foot building joins the command element, administrative, operations, and training departments under one roof – providing significantly enhanced capabilities for garrison operations.

“This magnificent structure replaces a number of old buildings that were well beyond their useful life,” said Cmdr. Michael Stiglitz, commanding officer, NCHB 1.

NAVELSG delivers expeditionary logistics capabilities with mobilization-ready Navy Reserve forces and active duty Sailors. They provide a wide range of supply and transportation functions critical for peacekeeping, crisis response, humanitarian assistance, and combat service support missions. NAVELSG is component of Navy Expeditionary Combat Command, a global force provider of adaptive force packages of expeditionary capabilities to joint war fighting commanders.

By Chief Mass Communication Specialist Lucy M. Quinn, Navy Expeditionary Logistics Support Group Public Affairs

Story Number: NNS110715-14

Release Date: 7/15/2011 3:07:00 PM

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