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Navy to Establish Two New Seabee Units in Gulfport

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS060728-01
Release Date: 7/28/2006 7:53:00 AM

From Commander, 1st Naval Construction Division Public Affairs

NORFOLK, Va. (NNS) -- The Navy approved the establishment of the 25th Naval Construction Regiment (NCR) and Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 11, July 18, which will be headquartered in Gulfport, Miss.

Both units will include active-duty Navy civil engineers and Seabees. The establishment becomes effective Oct. 1, with commissioning slated for October 2007.

The increased demand for the Seabees’ unique skills to support the global war on terrorism while continuing humanitarian relief and other construction efforts around the world requires the additional force structure.

"The significant impact the Seabees are having around the world in the global war on terrorism and a wide range of other missions will be enhanced by these additional units, allowing us to contribute on an even broader scale wherever needed," said Capt. Doug Morton, chief of staff, 1st Naval Construction Division.

Naval construction regiments exercise administrative and operational control of naval mobile construction battalions or other naval construction force units operating in a specific geographic area or operating in support of a specific military operation.

NMCBs provide responsive military construction support to Navy, Marine Corps and other forces in military operations, construct base facilities and conduct defensive operations. In addition to their significant earthmoving, airfield construction and repair, road construction and repair and their vertical wood, steel, masonry and concrete construction capabilities, NMCBs also perform specialized construction such as water well drilling and battle damage repair. They are able to work and defend themselves at construction sites outside of their base camps and convoy through unsecured areas. In times of emergency or disaster, NMCBs conduct disaster response and recovery operations.

There are currently eight active-duty NMCBs, four of which are based in Gulfport, Miss., and four in Port Hueneme, Calif. There are 12 reserve NMCBs dispersed across the United States. The Navy currently has two active-duty regiments and four reserve regiments. All of these units fall under the administrative control of the 1st Naval Construction Division (1NCD) in Little Creek, Va.

Both of these new units will be part of 1NCD, which now reports to the Navy Expeditionary Combat Command (NECC). In January the Navy created the NECC, bringing explosive ordnance disposal, naval coastal warfare, Navy expeditionary logistics support functions, the riverine force and the Seabees under one umbrella. NECC integrates all warfighting requirements for expeditionary combat and combat support elements. This transformation allows for standardized training, manning and equipping of Sailors who will participate in the global war on terrorism as part of the joint force.

For related news, visit the Commander, 1st Naval Construction Division Navy NewsStand page at www.news.navy.mil/local/1ncd/.