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Reserve Seabees Take Advantage of Rare Opportunity

Navy NewStand

Story Number: NNS030501-19
Release Date: 5/2/2003 7:04:00 PM

By Marine Sgt. Joshua S. Higgins, Consolidated Public Affairs Office, Camp Lejeune, N.C.

CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. (NNS) -- Reservists with 1st Naval Construction Division took advantage of Marine support and several tactical landing zones to hone their battle skills.

Members of Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 14, NMCB-23 and 3rd Naval Construction Regiment deployed to Camp Jejeune, N.C., from their Southeastern home bases for a 19-day exercise that ended April 13.

During the exercise, over 800 Reserve personnel trained to operate during a contingency while carrying out typical tasks Seabees may be assigned while supporting a Marine expeditionary force, said Lt. Dave Diefenderfer, training officer, 1st Naval Construction Division, based at Naval Amphibious Base, Little Creek, Va.

Seabees operate in direct support of Marine expeditionary forces, said Lt. Cmdr. Donald Maconi, operations officer, NMCB-14 from Jacksonville, Fla. Usual jobs for the units include building runways, bunkers and tent cities.

The Seabees also provide their own security.

"We set up a 360-degree defense, send out patrols and maintain checkpoints along roadways, just as any Marine infantry unit would do when setting up an encampment," said Diefenderfer.

The field exercise occurs only every four years for the Reservists. The Seabees began the exercise with two days of classes on patrolling; rules of engagement; nuclear, biological and chemical warfare; and several other topics before convoying to where they constructed a base camp.

"We spend two to three days just setting up," said Construction Electrician 1st Class Leo E. Ward of NMCB-14. "Before we set up, we have to do a security sweep of the site and set up a perimeter."

During the training evolution each unit had missions to complete, according to Diefenderfer. The missions ranged from water well digging to creating refugee camps. Trainer/instructors with 1st Naval Construction Division evaluated each unit's performance.

"We are here to make sure these guys are getting quality training and doing a good job," said Chief Hospital Corpsman Rachel Watson, machine gun block leader, 20th Seabee Readiness Group.

Marines from 2nd Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment acted as aggressors during the exercise to make the experience more realistic. Trainer/instructors coordinated several different scenarios for the Seabees to face. Sniper fire, bombing attacks and simulated fire fights were among the situations evaluated. Multiple Integrated Laser Engagement System gear, similar to laser tag equipment, gave an added effect of realism.

"The training this year has been the best in 10 years," said Ward. "With Marines getting involved, things are coming as a surprise like they should, because actual war never goes as planned."

NMCB-23 is based at Fort Belvoir, Va., while 3rd Naval Construction Regiment is located at the Naval Marine Corps Reserve Center, Atlanta.