The Source for Navy News

Seabees Train Like They Fight
Story Number: NNS090520-32
5/20/2009

From Naval Mobile COnstruction Battalion 3 Public Affairs

FORT HUNTER LIGGETT, Calif (NNS) -- The Seabees assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 3 completed their annual field training exercise (FTX), Operation Bearing Duel, at Fort Hunter Liggett, Calif., May 1.

The exercise prepared Seabees to deploy to a combat zone by placing the battalion in a fictitious, war torn country in order to provide engineering support to a notional marine expeditionary force conducting stabilization and security operations.

"All of homeport seems to center around FTX," said Ensign John Daly. "The new troops ask what to expect, and senior troops did their best to get prepared."

Every year the FTX aims to prepare troops for the hazards they may face on current battlefields such as those in Iraq or Afghanistan. During FTX, NMCB encountered a wide variety of asymmetrical tactics, including improvised explosive devices, suicide bombers and even using civilians as human shields for reconnaissance and attacks.

"It is not only a test of endurance, pride and a rite of passage for the new troops," said Daly, "but the battalion's performance during FTX helps set the tone for the deployment and shows the battalion's ability to plan and execute the mission."

Operation Bearing Duel was orchestrated by the 31st Seabee Readiness Group (SRG), which helps train battalions on contingency construction as well as tactical skills including weapons, convoys, patrols and defensive strategies. More than 100 Seabees in the 31st SRG worked to inspect and evaluate the battalion during FTX.

"When the battalion goes to the field to complete a Bearing Duel mission, it's not as simple as just jumping in the truck and driving to Fort Hunter Liggett with hammers and nails," said Lt. Eric Hass. "They have to plan, coordinate and execute their missions to ensure everyone comes back safely."

Seabees are trained to do it right the first time and follow proper procedures.

"Convoy security elements (CSE) must follow procedures in order to maintain 100 percent accountability of all resources: human, vehicle, weapons, communications, etcetera. Additionally, it is important for convoys to ensure other units know where the convoy assets are so they do not engage in fratricide," said Hass. "They must have the right tools and equipment for the job to ensure troops do not get exposed to dangerous situations any longer than needed or face mission failure."

Approximately 90 Seabees from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 4 and tactics experts from the 31st SRG played the role of enemy forces to test the battalion's tactics and played roles in graded scenarios.

"We try to make it as real as we can," said Steelworker 1st Class Richard Larsen, lead aggressor. "If we don't, we would be doing a disservice to our Seabees. When they go downrange, those bullets are real."

FTX is the battalion's final test during homeport and is seen as a measure of the battalion's construction skills, tactical skills, and overall "Can Do" attitude.

"Everyone stepped up and executed superbly, from our react squads, to the combat operations center, to our detachments and everywhere else in between," said Cmdr. Antonio Edmonds, NMCB 3's commanding officer. "I was particularly pleased to see the troops maintain a positive attitude throughout the exercise. In true NMCB 3 fashion, we took care of the troops, and they took care of the mission."

One of the primary areas in which the 31st SRG evaluates a battalion during FTX is the battalion's ability to execute construction missions. The battalion must plan and complete multiple projects with available resources and in allotted time frames while also contending with the actions of local civilians and the enemy. This year NMCB 3 was tasked with building Southwest Asia huts, a timber tower, repairing damaged roadways, drilling a water well and repairing several damage runways.

"FTX has been an overall good experience. Our planning and organization was better than past years. This year we had more junior troops, but they were motivated, willing to learn and ready to protect their camp," said Builder 2nd Class (SCW) Jason Maxwell.

"The 31st SRG definitely tested us well. We had to move the project site [timber tower] a few times and there were some delays, but no matter what the task was, we were ready. After we started, we didn't stop, and the project was done in just about 24 hours."

Troops also spent long hours on watch along the battalion's defensive perimeter in "full battle rattle" – medium tactical vest and Kevlar helmet – in fighting positions to provide protection against enemy attack during the exercise. Troops wore this gear during the majority of the exercise.

"Being in the pits was difficult sometimes. Watches lasted up to 16 hours. Sometimes when we stood watch we worked with different people. Occasionally it was someone I didn't typically work with, so you had to get know them and watch each others' backs," said Builder 3rd Class Vanessa Opina. "Working different shifts, you experienced different temperatures as well. At night, temperatures would go down to around 32 degrees while during the afternoon up to almost 100 degrees. During the nights, Chaplain Tiff and RP [Religious Program Specialist] James would bring us coffee, which was extremely helpful."

NMCB 3 troops assumed different roles during FTX. Troops would stand watch and then move straight to a project. Seabees like Builder Construction Apprentice Wesley Carpenter did it all during FTX. Carpenter stood watches, conducted patrols and even worked on the timber tower.

"This was my first FTX. I truly enjoyed the missions I was assigned to. On patrols I got to see the tactical side of being a Seabee -- what it is like outside the wire, staying vigilant for enemy attack," said Carpenter.

"It was great practicing skills I had been working on during homeport as well. We learned our limits, things to deal with, the effects long hours can have on our alertness and tactics like sectors of fire. We also had to be vigilant. You couldn't just shoot the aggressors. You had to concentrate on your mission and maintain fire discipline."

NMCB 3 is one of the Navy Expeditionary Combat Command's warfighting support elements providing host nation construction operations and security in support of overseas contingencies. The unit is currently conducting training to enhance its combat construction capabilities and is homeported in Port Hueneme, Calif.

For more news from 30th Naval Construction Regiment, visit www.navy.mil/local/30NCR/.