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NMCB 7 Tests FEX Readiness, Holds a CPX

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS080505-31
Release Date: 5/5/2008 4:24:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Michael B. Lavender, Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 7 Public Affairs

GULFPORT, Miss. (NNS) -- Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 7 held a command post exercise (CPX) April 30 and May 1 to test the battalion's readiness for deployment and their upcoming battalion field exercise (FEX).

"This was our third CPX this homeport," said Lt. Clifford Youngberg, NMCB 7's FEX planning officer. "We have six CPXs planned and each one gets progressively more in depth. We're trying to incorporate these with our FEX preparation. It is our goal to succeed not only on FEX, but to be prepared for our upcoming deployment to CENTCOM [Central Command]."

Youngberg also noted that the first two CPXs were held in the battalion's headquarters building, which involved sending 'yellow canaries' from one office to another.

Yellow canaries are the unofficial term for tactical field messages contained in a yellow booklet with yellow paper.

"Our second CPX involved more personnel and utilized all the company spaces in the building," said Youngberg.

In order to prepare for the battalion FEX, NMCB 7 went outdoors, setting up tents and radios to make the experience realistic.

"We set up a complete camp layout, company command posts (CP), and established communications between the Command Operations Center (COC) and the company CPs," explained Youngberg. "We also held various scenarios typically experienced during a FEX to prepare for it."

Some of the scenarios held included simulated chemical, biological and radiological attacks, firing on the frontlines and even redeploying the battalion's air detachment to a completely different location.

"Even though our CPX was a day and a half long, we accomplished quite a bit," said Youngberg. "It allowed us to conduct operational checks on our equipment and gain confidence in our responses to the various FEX scenarios we'll be experiencing. Acclimating us to a stressful environment and using our chain of command, it showed us first-hand the coordination required to accomplish our mission."

Additionally, Seabees were given an opportunity to familiarize themselves with their communications equipment, and the battalion's command and control.

"I think this went really well for us," said Yeoman 2nd Class Stephen Hernandez, NMCB 7's command yeoman and a communications supervisor. "For many of us, this was our first CPX. Speaking for myself, I learned the whole process really; what to expect from the chiefs and officers, and the COC members. I learned the urgency of passing messages quickly and correctly. As a communications supervisor, my responsibility is to ensure all the message traffic coming in and out of the COC is correct so we can get the job done."

"We're going to continue with these exercises throughout homeport," said Youngberg. "These are good learning experiences for everyone all around. These types of exercises allow us to fix mistakes now so we don't make them in the field, costing us time and manpower. We increase the amount of detail with each CPX so nothing is a surprise to us when we get out in the field not only on FEX, but on our deployment."

"It was good experience for us all," added Hernandez.

"We all took a lot from it. I'm looking forward to the next one so I can learn further about the whole process so I can pass the knowledge I obtain to my junior troops."

For more news from Naval Mobile Construction Unit 7, visit www.navy.mil/local/nmcb7/.