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BUST Course Prepares Seabees for CSE Role in Contingency Environments

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS080521-07
Release Date: 5/21/2008 3:19:00 PM

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

CAMP SHELBY, Miss. (NNS) -- Seabees from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 7's Convoy Security Element (CSE) teams attended the Basic Urban Skills Training (BUST) course given by instructors of the 20th Seabee Readiness Group (SRG), May 12-16.

"With BUST, we're learning the basics of urban terrain combat," said Lt. Patrick Chitty, NMCB 7's CSE officer in charge. "We're learning how to take soft and hard targets, room clearing techniques, breaching, hand grenade procedures and searching."

The course included a day of classroom instruction and followed by four days of field training complete with practical exercises and tests.

"This is a good opportunity for us to see how we operate in small units," said Chitty. "It is pretty fascinating stuff, seeing how quickly people adjust to tactical situations in urban combat. We're the tip of the spear; we're not your father's Seabees anymore. We're the new Seabees. This is not Vietnam or World War II. This is the war on terrorism and this training is preparing us for it."

Chitty also noted that Seabees support the warfighter and provide them the logistical support through supplies and equipment so they can continue with their mission.

"This course's purpose is to prepare Seabees for the possibility of any hostile encounter in an urban environment," explained Utilitiesman 1st Class Luis Alarcon Jr., a 20th SRG BUST block leader. "We hope that they don't have to use this training, but if they are moving through an urban environment and take casualties, this training will assist them so they can move and take shelter. It certainly will come in handy for certain missions like tactically ensuring a building is free of insurgents on a potential project site."

NMCB 7 sent 58 personnel assigned to the battalion's CSE teams to the course.

"They are doing very well," said Alarcon. "They pick up material quickly and usually only need a single run-through during a practical exercise. This course has changed and while some personnel had gone through the course last year, they recognize that some techniques have been altered."

The BUST course is based on tactics and information provided by the U.S. Marine Corps' Project Metropolis.

"Project Metropolis is the Marine Corps' warfighting laboratory," explained Alarcon. "They have files named 'X-Files' which dissect various techniques and explains the hindrances and benefits of using certain techniques.

Every year, approxmiately 300 personnel attend the BUST course.

"We've been doing all sorts of interesting tactics and various scenarios," said Engineering Aide Constructionman Miles Giger, a CSE member. "I enjoy the field activities immensely because we're taking what we've learned in the classroom and applying it to real-life scenarios. There's a lot of teamwork involved."

Following the BUST training, NMCB 7's CSE teams will attend another portion of CSE training where they will perform missions using the equipment they will be using in the field.

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