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NMCB 5 Seabees Flex their Muscles During Field Exercise in Guam

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS050614-07
Release Date: 6/14/2005 9:09:00 PM

By Photographer's Mate 1st Class (AW) Kimberly A Brown, Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 5 Public Affairs

MARIANAS, Guam (NNS) -- Seabees from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 5 closed down their construction projects for 10 days during the first part of June to participate in field exercise (FEX) Kennel Bear 05 here at Anderson Air Force Base.

More than 250 Seabees from NMCB 5 and 38 Marines from the Light Armor Reconnaissance Company, Combat Assault Battalion of the 3rd Marine Division from Okinawa came together for the weeklong training exercise designed to practice and sharpen military skills while operating from a forward operating base (FOB).

“The Marines provided the Seabees with valuable firsthand experience; we couldn’t pass up this opportunity to learn from their experiences," said Capt. Piagentini, the battalion’s Guam operations officer.

The purpose of this exercise was to teach the Seabees what they need to know and do in order to stay safe in a real-world combat situation. The Marines provided both classroom and outdoor instruction, and covered topics such as convoy security, detecting and reacting to improvised explosive devices (IED), sniper fire, Forward Observation Base (FOB) security, and foot and vehicle patrols.

“It is better to train now and learn from your mistakes before you or your Seabees are put into a real-world situation where a mistake can cost a life or a limb,” said Lt. Michael LaVielle, commander of the Battalion’s Quick Reactionary Force.

In order to maintain a realistic training environment, the Seabees carried a full flak vest and kevlar helmet protection gear, along with CBR (chemical, biological and radiological) gear and mask. Depending on the scenario, the Seabees were tested in different ways to see how they would handle various situations.

“You think you will know what to do in that situation, but I’m thankful we were able to practice this first," said Builder 1st Class Ricky Jones. "It was quite a learning experience.”