NMCB 1 Seabees Bridge Gap to Success During Field Ex
Navy NewsStand
Story Number: NNS081122-07
Release Date: 11/22/2008 9:02:00 PM
By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Demetrius Kennon, Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 1 Public Affairs
CAMP SHELBY, Miss. (NNS) -- Seabees assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 1 Bridge Detachment (Det.) completed the final mission of a three-week field training exercise (FTX) and final evaluation problem (FEP) held at Camp Shelby, Miss., Nov. 15.
The Bridge Det. was tasked with moving into an area, setting up a medium girder bridge (MGB), defending it overnight and then breaking it down the following morning. The 51 Seabees had to repeat this process four times, but because the FTX instructors from the 20th Seabee Readiness Group were so impressed by the Seabees' third mission, the bridge crew was waived from carrying out its fourth bridge mission.
"The bridge went up well, and the [security] sweep went really well," said Builder 1st Class (SCW) Nathan Jacobs, the Bridge Det. bridgemaster. "We held our perimeter, and the enemy couldn't infiltrate our defense."
The security sweep proved vital to the bridge crew mission by providing maximum protection for quality production.
"The first priority once arriving at the site was initiating the security sweep," said Marine Corps Capt. Nathan Knowles, the Bridge Det. officer in charge. "The site's got to be secured, and it takes a lot of coordination."
During the FTX/FEP, when the Seabees moved from place to place, they were escorted by one of the battalion's two convoy security elements (CSE). The convoy included armed vehicles which ensured the Seabees arrived at their destinations safely.
"Typically, there are a lot of rehearsals," said Knowles. "We rehearse how the sweep is going to take place with the accompanying CSE team because they need to know how they're going to maneuver with troops on the ground."
One junior Seabee says it's important for them to have solid ground leadership. Builder 3rd Class Yeraldy Ramos, one of the squad leaders, helped provide a structured defense while the bridge crew began setting up during the detachment's third mission.
"We checked out the surrounding area and set up a 360 [degree defense]," said Ramos. "It ensured that whoever was in charge of setting up the bridge was secure. We then set up fire positions so that we could keep watch on any aggressors."
The aggressors' tried to break into the defense and take the bridge. They persistently tested the Bridge Det.'s defense.
The Seabees were successful in completing their third MGB, but their reward came the following morning after a long night of sniper fire, indirect fire, and chemical, biological and radiological warfare attacks. It was then that the FTX/FEP evaluators relieved the Bridge Det. of its fourth bridge mission.
"Those second and third class petty officers took the initiative and didn't let a single person get through the wire," Knowles said. "They knew they were coming from 600 meters away. They communicated; they were aggressive, and they took care of themselves and their people."
"I couldn't have asked for a better team," Ramos said. "I think overall we pulled our weight. We took care of each other. If someone needed help, another person stepped in, and there was no animosity. We were all there for each other."
The junior Seabees performed exceptionally in the eyes of their officer in charge.
"The only way small unit leadership is accomplished is by giving your troops the opportunity to fail," said Knowles. "You have to give them room to run, to make mistakes and figure it out, because this is a training environment. If you're going to make mistakes, it's best to make them now."
The Bridge Det. returned to their main-body site at Forward Operating Base (FOB) 1 to continue training to 'build and fight' until the successful completion of the FTX/FEP.
For more news from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 1, visit www.navy.mil/local/nmcb1/.
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