FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — A Fort Worth naval reserve unit has been decommissioned during a ceremony that closed out its 71-year history.  

The Fort Worth Star-Telegram (http://bit.ly/1tW3d0w ) reports the 9th Naval Construction Regiment, which provided construction support, was decommissioned during a ceremony Sunday at the Naval Air Station Fort Worth.

Leaders say the decommissioning is part of the U.S. military's reduction of forces as wars wind down in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The unit was part of the U.S. Navy Construction Battalion, whose members are known as Seabees for the letters C and B. At the peak of World War II, there were 250,000 Seabees. Today, there are fewer than 9,000.

The reserve site supervisor says the 9th regiment has 84 reservists, many of whom will transfer to other reserve units.

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