Seabees Build Weapons Training Facility
Navy NewsStand
Story Number: NNS061209-01
Release Date: 12/9/2006 8:56:00 AM
By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Ashley Hickman, Fleet Public Affairs Center, Pacific
CHINA LAKE, Calif. (NNS) -- Seabees from Reserve Naval Mobile Construction Battalions (NMCB) 15, 17, and 18 finished work Oct. 11 on a joint sixth-month job to build a training facility at Naval Air Weapons Station, China Lake, Calif.
The Navy Expeditionary Combat Command (NECC) Combat Mobility and Small Unit Tactics (SUT) training facility includes five miles of road and 135,000 cubic yards of protective berm to train convoy personnel in combat tactics.
Forces can also train with 9mm, M-16, and 50-caliber weapons on static, mobile and live-fire tactical convoy ranges.
Heavy timber and building facades at the range provide troops with realistic environments to learn tactics while engaging enemy forces.
“This range is as close as it gets to actually being deployed in the desert,” said Equipment Operator 2nd Class Walter Gibbs, the project manager and leading petty officer of NMCB 15.
Although the project presented many logistical challenges because of its isolated position in the Mojave Desert, it gave the reserve unit Seabees a chance to test heavy machinery operation and construction skills.
“This project was a great training opportunity because of the remote location, environment, and the type of work performed,” said Lt. John Caufield, the officer in charge of the project. “It allowed more senior Seabees not only to revive their skills, but they also got the chance to train junior personnel.”
“I must say I feel we did a pretty good job,” said NMCB 17 Commanding Officer, Cmdr. Thomas Bauhan. “It was a long road to hoe, but we got our arms around it, dug in, and got the job done.”
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