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Rolling Out for Cobra Gold

Navy NewStand

Story Number: NNS030501-01
Release Date: 5/1/2003 9:03:00 AM

From Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 3 Public Affairs

OKINAWA, Japan (NNS) -- Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 3 moved 39 pieces of Civil Engineer Support Equipment (CESE) to the final staging area as part of the embarkation of their Air Detachment to Thailand.

The CESE included bulldozers, graders, tractor-trailers, Medium Tactical Vehicles, 3-wheeled loaders, 4 rollers and various High Mobility Multi-Wheeled Vehicles (HUMVs). There were also welders and 9 TriCons filled with various pieces of equipment.

One of the biggest challenges was getting the CESE ready for use in Thailand. Since there won't be an ample supply of diesel fuel there, the machinery had to be ready to run on what will be available.

"We had to convert everything from diesel fuel to JP-8 or jet fuel, and change the fuel filters," explained Construction Mechanic 1st Class (SCW) James Sawyer, the lead mechanic for Cobra Gold.

Each piece of equipment had to be inspected to make sure it was mechanically sound and safe to operate. This involves operational checks of brakes, headlights and turn signals to safety inspections to verify everything is "good to go."

The smooth operation was due in no small part to ample planning. "We knew this was going to happen a long time ago," said Sawyer. "We were able to start setting things aside and get them ready well before their ship date."

The shipment is scheduled to arrive in Thailand by early May, in support of Operation Cobra Gold.

Operation Cobra Gold is an annual joint exercise involving U.S. Armed Forces, Singaporean Forces and Royal Thai Forces designed to build ties between the nations and promote interoperability between each of the nations different military components. It's typically the largest U.S. military peacetime exercise in the Pacific.

The Seabees of NMCB 3 are using Operation Cobra Gold as another opportunity to demonstrate their motto of "Better than Best."