Seabees from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 1 conducted a training exercise on operating an Evacuation Control Center (ECC) at Camp Mitchell on Naval Station Rota, Spain, Oct. 11.

The training prepared NMCB 1's Seabees to operate an ECC and to assist with the evacuation of U.S. citizens when Americans and diplomatic personnel are living, working or traveling abroad in unstable regions of the world.

Quote:

"This training is conducted in preparation of NMCB 1 being called upon to assist in the evacuation of non-combatants from a country. NMCB 1 conducts the ECC exercise once a month to ensure that the Seabees involved understand how to expedite the evacuation process in a safe manner for all involved for when the occasion arises to perform this tasking in the region." - Ensign Jeremiah Cahill, NMCB 1 officer-in-charge for the Evacuation Control Center

"This training is good because it allows us to get familiarized with the process so we don't get surprised if we really need to complete this tasking. I have learned how to more efficiently search people, and I have enjoyed this learning experience. Each time we complete this training, I learn something new, and it is exciting to learn how this process works. When we know what to do, it helps us to remain calm when the people being evacuated are scared." - Steelworker Constructionman Katelyn Kirkpatrick

Quick Facts:

The training is conducted monthly by NMCB 1 during deployment to the U.S. 6th Fleet in order to ensure everyone is familiar with the process in order to quickly and effectively complete the task of evacuating non-combatant personnel from unstable regions.

NMCB 1 is a Seabee battalion that specializes in contingency construction, disaster response, and humanitarian assistance. The battalion's homeport is in Gulfport, Mississippi.

The Naval Construction Force is a vital component of the U.S. Maritime Strategy. It offers deployable battalions capable of providing contingency construction, disaster preparation and recovery support, humanitarian assistance and combat operations support.

U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa, headquartered in Naples, Italy, oversees joint and naval operations, often in concert with allied, joint and interagency partners, in order to advance U.S. national interests, security and stability in Europe and Africa.

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