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NMCB 1 Takes First Steps Toward Convoy Success

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS070314-06
Release Date: 3/14/2007 3:56:00 PM

By Mass Communications Specialist 3rd Class(SCW) Ja'lon A. Rhinehart, Naval Mobile Construction Battalion One Publlic Affairs

CAMP SHELBY, Miss. (NNS) -- U.S. Navy Seabees attached to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 1 completed a training exercise with the Raydan Virtual Combat Convoy Trainer at Camp Shelby, Miss., on March 6, to further develop their tactical skills for the upcoming deployment to Iraq.

Although they just recently returned from deployment in the Pacific, NMCB 1 eagerly took advantage of the resources of an adjacent unit to prepare its Seabees to meet upcoming deployment challenges.

Much like a video game, the trainer allows service members to step into a virtual environment where they are called upon to respond as if in a real-life situation.

Users are presented with various hazards such as improvised explosive devices; traffic problems; and encounters with local nationals, where quickly distinguishing combatants from noncombatants is a lifesaving skill. Equipped with a gun turret, crew serve weapon and M-16’s, each Humvee in the four-vehicle convoy transports the Seabees into a very realistic virtual environment.

“It was a great eye opener,” said Chief Builder (SCW) Louis Pambianco, one of two convoy commanders.

Seabee battalions are generally responsible for providing advance base construction, battle damage repair, contingency engineering, humanitarian assistance, and disaster recovery to fleet and unified commanders. Convoy security is vital, as civil engineer support equipment, and construction materials are often required to be moved from one location to another.

The training gave the opportunity for younger troops to get their first taste of what it takes for a convoy security mission to be successful.

“This training was a great tool for us,” said Pambianco. “For many of the troops that don’t have prior convoy experience, this provided an opportunity for them to learn what to expect; learn where their training needs to go.”

The Seabees say they have no doubt that this training better prepared them for success in their upcoming deployment. The hands-on experience provided what books alone can't-- a real time exercise to hone key military skills.