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Seabees to Benefit from New Tactical Training Facility

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS080516-03
Release Date: 5/16/2008 12:30:00 PM

From Naval Facilities Engineering Command Southeast Public Affairs

GULFPORT, Miss. (NNS) -- Construction of the 20th Seabee Readiness Group's (SRG) new Tactical Training Facility (TTF) is underway on board Naval Construction Battalion Center (NCBC) Gulfport.

This $27.3 million facility is scheduled for a February 2009 completion and is located near the Tactical Communication facility, the Contingency Construction Crew Training facility, and the new armory that is opening June 2008.

"Tactical convoy and weapons training is a big piece of our mission," said Lt. Cmdr. Andre Coleman, training officer for the 20th SRG. "The new TTF enables us to provide Seabees training on the most up-to-date Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures (TTPs)."

Simulator training for these high risk competencies supports the Fleet Readiness Training Plan (FRTP), which is core to providing combatant commanders fully trained expeditionary forces.

"The Seabees will begin using these simulators before the TTF is completed," said Lt. Craig Clutts, assistant resident officer in charge of construction (AROICC) for Gulfport. "ROICC Gulfport and Public Works are working together to ensure temporary shelters and utility connections are in place in order to begin training as soon as the simulators arrive. Lockheed Martin plans to have the simulators ready for training by October 2008."

The TTF will complete the 20th SRG campus, enabling better coordination between various departments with in the SRG.

"One major benefit of the TTF is the larger classrooms," added Coleman. "We will be able to simultaneously train two 30-person convoy security elements. Additionally, the upgraded multimedia package in TTF is NMCI compliant and will greatly increase connectivity."

The new facility will significantly increase the 20th SRG's tactical training capacity. In line with big-Navy and the FRTP, the TTF helps improve the unit level training and certification of required skill sets of the five local Naval Mobile Construction Battalions (NMCB). The NMCBs are taking on an increasingly important role of squad, fire-team, and individual skill attainment. Together, the Gulfport team will continue to adapt to the changing demand signal and provide Seabees with mission tailored training.

The TTF project is part of a larger $75 million dollar package which includes a new Disaster Readiness Training facility, Applied Training Complex, and Auto Vehicle Repair facility for the Naval Construction Training Center, an armory for 20th SRG, and a Professional Development Center for Naval Meteorology and Oceanography. The contract was awarded Sept. 14, 2006, to Roy Anderson Corp of Gulfport, Miss.

For more news from Naval Facilities Engineering Command, www.navy.mil/local/navfachq/.