NMCBs 4, 22 Participate In Operation Bearing Duel
Navy NewsStand
Story Number: NNS050907-08
Release Date: 9/7/2005 12:34:00 PM
By Journalist Seaman S. C. Irwin, Fleet Public Affairs Center, Pacific
FORT HUNTER LIGGETT, Calif. (NNS) -- More than 1,000 Seabees from Naval Mobile Construction Battalions (NMCB) 4 and 22 participated in Operation Bearing Duel Aug. 15 to Sept. 1.
The field exercise tested the groups’ mission readiness before NMCB 4’s upcoming deployment to Okinawa and NMCB 22’s upcoming deployment to Iraq.
The two battalions were tasked to complete construction projects while being faced with unexpected, but probable, wartime situations.
They erected an observation tower, extended a road that created an easier passageway for convoys and set up a water purification site that provided the base with additional potable water. In the midst of building, the battalions faced simulated conditions including chemical defense drills, having to provide medical attention to civilian casualties, encountering improvised explosive devices while driving to and from workstations, and having to pacify unruly protestors.
“We’re using our real-life deployment training to accomplish what we need to accomplish here,” said Lt. Cmdr. Michelle Breaux, NMCB 22 executive officer. “We’ve encountered very real situations [here] that all of our Sailors will more than likely face when we’re deployed.”
The exercise took another unanticipated turn when brush fire swept through this Army post, burning over 1,000 acres of land. The fires caused the battalions to cancel a bridge construction project and relocate members of their air detachments.
“Even though we halted some projects, we still reacted in a timely enough manner to ensure the safety of the battalion,” said Breaux. “These things allowed us to evaluate how we can and would implement command and control during unexpected situations.”
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