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Seabees Participate in Exercise: Panther Claw 3

Navy News Service

Story Number: NNS110329-07
3/29/2011

By Lt. Kimberly Caudle, Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 3 Public Affairs

CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan (NNS) -- Seabees from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 3 participated in Panther Claw 3, an international exercise that showcased multinational heavy-vehicle recovery techniques and equipment, March 5.

Panther Claw is an exercise where regional and local commanders demonstrate vehicle extraction capabilities by lifting and towing large pieces of equipment that are simulated to be stuck in mud or damaged by improvised explosive devices (IED).

The ultimate goal of a recovery is for military units to return disabled or damaged vehicles back to a unit in a usable state while preventing enemy forces from acquiring sensitive equipment and using it against coalition forces.

The exercise this year featured equipment and techniques from U.S. Navy Seabees, U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Army as well as units from the United Kingdom, Denmark, Estonia and the Afghanistan National Army (ANA).

The exercise was planned by the UK's Equipment Support Battalion (ES) 8 in order to increase awareness of the recovery assets and capabilities in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. This was a great opportunity for local commanders to not only showcase their unit's capabilities, but also learn the strengths of other units.

"I had a great time taking part in Operation Panther Claw," said Construction Mechanic Third Class Timothy McCleary, who represented NMCB 3 in coordinating with 8th ES. "I was able to see the capabilities of the other recovery vehicles and they were able to see ours. I feel confident that no matter what happens, we will be able to accomplish the mission in our area of responsibility."

The Seabees operated their MK36 Wrecker in conjunction with a Danish army's recovery vehicle to haul out a disabled Light Armored Vehicle (an amphibious Marine infantry carrier) stuck in the mud.

Recovery methods took anywhere from 5 to 15 minutes, depending on the method and equipment used.

"During Operation Panther Claw, I had the experience of working with other nations and different branches of the US Military and coalition forces," said Construction Mechanic Constructionman Alex Holden, one of NMCB 3's participants in the exercise. "I had a lot of fun during the whole exercise and learned a lot of valuable information and skills. I felt that we worked very well with the different nations."

NMCB 3 is an expeditionary element of U.S. Naval Forces providing construction, engineering and security services in support of national strategy, naval power projection, humanitarian assistance and contingency operations.