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NMCB 11 Creates Training Facility for III MEF

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS100830-22
8/30/2010

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Nicholas Lingo, Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 11 Public Affairs

OKINAWA, Japan (NNS) -- Seabees from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 11 recently completed a 5-day build for III Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF) in Okinawa, Japan.

This project will assist the Marines attached to the Special Operations Training Group in prepping the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) prior to deploying on their semi-annual patrol.

This project enabled the III MEF to provide better realistic training to the MEU by creating their own target site for the exercise in an area that was previously unused for this type of training. Building these projects in locations previously unused provides a challenging environment for the Marines as the territory is unfamiliar and provides them with a chance to train in fresh surroundings.

Due to scheduling constraints III MEF secured the area for the exercise only for a very limited window of time, and the actual time the exercise was to be conducted was included in this window.

"The flexibility and professionalism that the Seabees showed by adjusting their schedules to be able to accommodate our limited window enabled the project to actually be accomplished and the additional training goals we were striving to incorporate into the exercise to be met," said 1st Lt. Stephen Kelly.

The finished project was used to simulate a building with walls and rooms for the force reconnaissance platoon attached to the 31st MEU to conduct close-quarters tactics and breaching sustainment training.

This unique build provided the Marines of III MEF with a great training environment and in turn provided the Seabees of NMCB 11 with a great opportunity for training they otherwise might not have access to.

"Any time we work with the Marines its good OJT for our junior troops, it helps our Seabees see good order, discipline and military traditions that are set high by the Marines," Said Builder 1st Class David Sheard, NMCB 11 Echo Company Operations. "It also gets them stoked and motivated for combat scenarios. We're always honored to support the Marines and our brothers in arms."

NMCB 11 is currently deployed to the U.S. Pacific Command Area of Responsibility in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and is currently participating in Pacific Partnership 2010.