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Seabees Start Training Early for Field Exercise

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS090501-28
Release Date: 5/1/2009 3:58:00 PM

By Chief Mass Communication Specialist (SCW/SW/AW) Steve Bansbach, Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 4

VENTURA COUNTY, Calif. (NNS) -- Wearing outer tactical vests and Kevlar helmets, personnel of Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 4, based out of Ventura County, California, took their first steps in their homeport training cycle, conducting a Command Post Exercise (CPX) on April 28.

NMCB 4's CPXs are used as a training tool to help battalion personnel prepare for their annual Field Training Exercise (FTX), a graded evolution determining if a battalion is ready to deploy.

The battalion started preparing for this CPX three months ago, picking watch teams and ensuring personnel were properly trained for this exercise. Using Dozier Field on Port Hueneme Naval Base, Alfa, Bravo and Charlie Companies constructed a forward operating base and started training using scenarios evaluators had developed. These scenarios were used in previous CPXs and FTXs to see if personnel knew how to react to certain situations.

"A lot of the drills were tailored, immediate-action drills to see if personnel knew how to respond using our own doctrine," said Lt James Wallace, a CPX evaluator.

Some of the drills personnel reacted to included small-arms fire; sniper fire; civilians approaching the entry control point and lines; vehicle born improvised explosive devices and improvised explosive devices. Seabees are constantly trained on how to respond to these situations since each scenario could become a real-life circumstance on deployments.

"I haven't been on a FTX, but these CPXs help everyone prepare and ensure they are ready for a FTX or an actual incident," Construction Electrician 3rd Class Nicholas Mitchell said.

"Everyone made mistakes, it was the first one," Chief Steelworker Thomas Camacho, a CPX evaluator, said. "It really depends on what actions companies take to correct the deficiency, which is why these CPXs are so important. The battalion needs to improve as a whole so we excel on the FTX."

"NMCB 4 did really well," said Cmdr. Dean VanderLey, commanding officer NMCB 4. "Obviously, with it being our first CPX, we can use this as a training evolution. We can continue to improve and use the experiences from this exercise and get our small unit leaders involved and incorporate some of the lessons learned during unit-driven training. I was very proud of how our Seabees performed."

NMCB 4 will conduct three more CPXs leading up to the battalion FTX, which is scheduled for September. Battalion personnel are excited about the upcoming training realizing they will only get better and be more prepared.

For more news from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 4, visit www.navy.mil/local/nmcb4/.