NMCB 133 Tackles Training Challenges
Navy NewsStand
Story Number: NNS080313-07
Release Date: 3/13/2008 2:42:00 PM
By Construction Electrician 2nd Class Frank Higgins, Constructionman Matthew Hobbs, Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 133 Public Affairs
GULFPORT, Miss. (NNS) -- The recently completed Field Exercise (FEX) 2008 held many challenges for Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 133 and Echo Company in particular.
Tasked with the setup of a 1,200 person camp, in combination with NMCB 24 and NMCB 27 at the Logistical Support Area (LSA), Echo Company personnel rose to the challenge and completed the camp ahead of schedule.
The LSA encompassed over 35 acres, every one of which was utilized on this "super FEX." With three battalions sharing this space, it was indeed its own town, capable of sustaining itself indefinitely.
While discussing the added responsibilities of a "super FEX," Builder 2nd Class Travis Johnson (fourth FEX) stated, "No FEX is the same. Every FEX is a learning experience for senior and junior enlisted alike. This LSA was the biggest I've seen; it was like a miniature city."
Echo Company erected more than 130 general purpose (GP) medium tents and a dozen medium general purpose tent systems (MGPTS), constructed a strong back tent, set up and maintained the shower and laundry facilities, and installed and operated the extensive electrical distribution system required at the LSA and Forward Operating Base (FOB).
Camp Maintenance tasking for such an extensive camp included; providing showers and laundry for 1,200 people, (utilizing over 4,000 gallons of water a day), placing over 16,000 feet of electrical cable, connecting nine "A" panels (our main field power distribution panels), installing and operating up to eight different generators, and completing over 200 maintenance work orders.
Once at the FOB, Echo Company was again tasked with electrical distribution (6,000 more feet of electrical cable, four panels and two generators) while maintaining fighting positions, conducting patrols, and maintaining the camp.
The weather provided some additional challenges with heavy rain and an evacuation in light of a potential tornado on March 4. While many felt that the evacuation was part of our scheme of scenarios to test the battalion, stopping a field exercise is rare. Were it truly a scenario, NMCB 133 would have passed with flying colors; the camp was completely evacuated in less than two and a half hours from the time Camp Shelby range control ordered the evacuation to the last truck rolled out.
Although completed in the rain and after dark, all personnel were able to pack up camp and all personal gear in record time. After the short detour, Echo Company again stepped up and assisted with the reconstruction of the camp, picking up fallen tents and drying out as much gear as possible.
During exercises on the last day, Echo Company assisted the battalion with the quenching of multiple grass fires caused by simulated ordinance, adding to the challenges. A training time out (TTO) was called to deal with three grass fires that were raging at one time. Personnel used every available means to extinguish the potentially dangerous fires; a water bull, CO2 extinguishers, shirts, feet, shovels, etc. Once extinguished, the battalion moved immediately to the final protective fire (FPF). Another fire soon ensued, resulting in another TTO and the conclusion of FEX.
After completing his first field exercise, Builder Constructionman Jonathan Raney stated, "Throughout FEX we learned the ways of a Seabee combat warrior. Hands on training and running the scenarios helped me a lot."
Completing all of the camp maintenance tasking while maintaining company lines, providing react forces, and battling fires and tornadoes was quite a challenge, but Echo Company was more than ready for it.
For more news from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 133, visit www.navy.mil/local/nmcb133/.
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