Sheppard welcomes new Navy det officer

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Robert L. McIlrath
  • 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  The Center for Seabees and Facilities Engineering Detachment at Sheppard gained a new officer to command the U.S. Navy unit July 29, 2015.

Los Angeles native Lt. j.g. Leonardo Calderon arrived to Sheppard for the second time in his career from Port Hueneme, Calif.

Calderon arrived at Sheppard for the first time in June, 2000, staying for two months during his initial training as a Seabee. He spent 13 years as an enlisted Seabee, reaching the rank of chief petty officer before commissioning in 2013. During those 13 years, Calderon deployed numerous times, to locations such as Iraq, Kuwait, the Philippines, and Okinawa. Now he will be doing a two year tour as the officer in charge of the very unit he trained at 15 years prior.

"The Seabees are like one big family," Calderon said. "I wanted to wait longer to become an officer just so I could stay in this field."

The mission for the Navy detachment at Sheppard is to train and inspire Sailors, Airmen and Soldiers in their chosen career fields as electricians and utilities men. The Seabees are a member of the U.S. Naval Construction Forces and have been building up bases and paving roadways and airstrips since World War II.

"We not only build and construct camps, but we defend our own as well," he said. "We have the capability to be self-sufficient in places all over the world."

Calderon is excited to be back in Texas again working with the local community, participating in a variety of programs such as Habitat for Humanity and Adopt a Road.

"What I can sense so far is that the city loves the military here," Calderon said. "We are proud of keeping the tradition of giving back to the base and the city of Wichita Falls any way we can."

With the capacity to house 200 students, Calderon plans on keeping them actively involved in the community and base programs.

"Involving our students keeps them from being stagnant and builds resiliency," he said. "It allows them to see what we really do."

Being in the Navy provides little opportunity to be stationed inland areas such as Texas, since most Naval bases are on or near the coast.

"This is a great opportunity," Calderon said. "I don't know if I'll ever get stationed in Texas again or anywhere near the Midwest. I am going the do the very best I can while I'm here."