JUNE 9, 2025 – Nestled within Naval Station Rota, Spain, Camp Mitchell stands as a testament to the unwavering commitment and operational excellence of the U.S. Navy Seabees. Named in honor of Capt. Thomas J. Mitchell, a distinguished Civil Engineer Corps (CEC) officer who was killed in action in 1974, the camp has served as a forward-deployed hub for Naval Construction Forces in the European and African theaters for decades.
Origins and Establishment
The history of Camp Mitchell dates back to the early years of the Cold War, when the United States and its NATO allies sought to strengthen their presence in Europe. With the establishment of Naval Station Rota in 1953, the strategic location of southern Spain provided the U.S. Navy with a critical gateway between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. Recognizing the need for a dedicated support facility for the Naval Mobile Construction Battalions (NMCBs) operating in the region, the Navy formally designated Camp Mitchell as a home for forward-deployed Seabees.
Dedication to Capt. Thomas J. Mitchell
At a ceremony on July 23, 1982,Chief Civil Engineer of the Navy Rear Adm. William M. Zobel officially named Camp Mitchell in honor of Capt. Thomas J. Mitchell, . Mitchell, a U.S. Naval Academy graduate of 1953, had an illustrious career in naval engineering, earning advanced degrees from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Stanford University, and the University of Rhode Island. He was the first CEC officer to graduate from the Advanced Nuclear Power Course at the U.S. Navy Submarine School and later served as Commanding Officer of Naval Mobile Construction Battalion One (NMCB 1) from 1968 to1969.
Mitchell tragically lost his life in an ambush at the Subic Bay Naval Base in the Philippines on April 13, 1974, while serving as Commander, 30th Naval Construction Regiment. His dedication to duty, engineering excellence, and leadership left a lasting legacy, making him a fitting namesake for the Seabee camp in Rota.
Foundations of “Silver City” – The 1959 Deployment of Naval Mobile Construction Battalion Six.
In May 1959, Naval Mobile Construction Battalion Six (NMCB 6) deployed to Rota, Spain, embarking on a mission that would lay the foundation for what would later be known as Camp Mitchell. Under the command of Cmdr.L.W. Graves, the battalion, comprising of 13 officers and 379 enlisted men, departed Davisville, Rhode Island, aboard the Military Sea Transportation Service (MSTS) vessel USNS Geiger.
Upon their arrival on May 18, the battalion wasted no time setting up operations. With the decommissioning of the advance party, Detachment Romeo, on May 19, the Seabees swiftly initiated various construction projects. By May 29, work had begun on five key sites, including the Naval Station Rota library, chief petty officer club extension, power plant, hobby shop, and vehicle shed, all of which would become essential to base operations.
One of the most significant milestones came in June 1959, when aluminum paint was applied to every structure in the area, earning the site the fitting nickname “Silver City”. Throughout the summer months, the Seabees pushed forward, focusing on laying concrete slabs, erecting columns, and roofing structures. The completion of the vehicle shed in July marked the first of many finished projects. To commemorate the progress, a pass-in-review was held on July 18, with Capt. French W. Wampler, commanding officer of U.S. Naval Station Rota at the time, presiding over the event.
By August and September, blockwork, roof installations, and vehicle rehabilitation programs were underway. A second pass-in-review on Sept. 25, led by Capt. J.A. Smith, commander of Naval Activities Rota, highlighted the battalion’s dedication. In October and November, efforts shifted to interior plastering, painting, and exterior asphalt laying, culminating in the completion of the Power Plant and Library projects. A third pass-in-review in November honored Capt. Thomas Robinson, commanding officer of U.S. Naval Station Rota.
As the deployment neared its conclusion, the Seabees wrapped up the remaining projects at the hobby shop, Chiefs Mess, and Buildings J and K. By December 1959, NMCB 6 had firmly established the groundwork for what would become a permanent Naval Construction Forces presence in Rota.
A Home for Seabees
Over the decades, Camp Mitchell has served as the primary staging, training, and logistical hub for Seabee units deployed to Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. The Seabees, renowned for their ability to “Build and Fight,” have used the camp as a launch pad for countless missions supporting both combat and humanitarian operations.
During the Cold War, Seabee units at Camp Mitchell played a vital role in constructing critical infrastructure, airfields, and naval support facilities throughout the region. In times of conflict and crisis, the camp has facilitated rapid deployments of Naval Mobile Construction Battalions (NMCBs) to support military operations, disaster relief efforts, and humanitarian assistance missions worldwide.
Modernization and the Future
As the U.S. Navy pivots toward great power competition and expeditionary advanced basing operations, Camp Mitchell remains a vital component of the Seabee mission. Today, it continues to support forward-deployed NMCBs, Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command (NAVFAC) operations, and joint military exercises with NATO and allied forces.
Recently, NMCB 1 deployed to Camp Mitchell as part of the Naval Construction Force’s global presence, executing critical infrastructure projects across the region. NMCB 1’s operations included building and repairing airfields, ports, and logistics nodes that support Fleet maneuverability and sustainment. Their expertise extends to waterfront infrastructure improvements, expeditionary medical facility construction, and advanced base maintenance, ensuring U.S. and allied forces remain operationally effective. Operating under Commander, Task Force 68 (CTF 68), the Seabees of NMCB 1 played an essential role in theater security cooperation and engineering support, reinforcing the Navy’s strategic commitment to the region.
The Seabees at Camp Mitchell are poised to play a critical role in enhancing U.S. maritime dominance, strengthening alliances, and ensuring infrastructure readiness for future operations.
For nearly seven decades, Camp Mitchell has been an integral part of the U.S. Navy’s global force posture. As the Navy celebrates its 250th anniversary, the legacy of the Seabees at Camp Mitchell stands as a testament to their enduring motto: “We Build, We Fight”. Whether in times of war or peace, Camp Mitchell continues to serve as a forward-deployed stronghold of Seabee excellence, engineering ingenuity, and mission readiness, a proud and indispensable asset to the U.S. Navy and its allies.
From Chief Mass Communication Specialist Justin Stumberg