Embark Training Targets Leaders, Crews

GULFPORT. Miss. (NNS) -- Seabees from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 133 participated in a short embark exercise March 29 aboard Naval Construction Battalion Center Gulfport.

The 24-hour exercise was a practical training scenario targeted toward crew leaders and their crews. While familiarization with the procedures is often covered in both the classroom and in the field, this exercise specifically provided in depth, hands-on practice for those involved.

"It certainly helps to do it a few times," said Builder Constructionman Matt Schagen. "The more you do it the better you get."

This scenario involved preparing 13 pieces of equipment, several pallets of supplies and all the associated paperwork for shipping via air to another location.

Each piece goes through a cleaning and maintenance process; is weighed, measured, and marked for transport; and staged for inspection.

This same process is utilized, often with much larger numbers, whenever the battalion deploys and is vital to the mobility of the unit, said Equipment Operator 1st Class Lewis Fahnestock, the embark leading petty officer.

"This one is just for practice and to identify weaknesses before our next evolution in a few months," said Fahnestock.

NMCB 133 will complete a full 48-hour exercise while preparing for their upcoming field training exercise and again when ready to depart on their next deployment.

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