Seabees Participates in First Silver Flag Exercise
Navy News Service
Story Number: NNS110706-14
7/6/2011
By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Steven Myers
OKINAWA, Japan (NNS) -- Seabees from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 133 participated in an eight-day training exercise monitored by the U.S. Air Force 554 Red Horse Squadron, Detachment 1, aboard Kadena Air Force Base, Okinawa, Japan, June 23–29.
A 10-person team of construction electricians, equipment operators, a builder and an engineering aid, led by Lt. j.g. Matthew Evans, joined fellow service members in job-specific, in-depth training that culminated in a one-day practical application.
"While we hold this training about 10 times a year," said Tech. Sgt. Russell Jamieson, an instructor with the Red Horse training cadre. "This is the first one to have Navy and Marine Corps participants."
In the six days of training, each group of students went through specific tasks, equipment and practiced their trades.
"I learned a lot of additional skills even though we use different equipment," said Engineering Aid Constructionman Mary Murphy. "I loved it; it was fun."
Despite the differences in some equipment and material, the Seabees collected the knowledge given by their instructors and classmates and utilized it for the final test.
From clearing debris and filling real holes in the concrete airfield left from simulated bombs to setting up a mobile landing system for aircraft, the day-long practical exercise consisted of the students tackling a runway repair scenario in a hostile combat zone.
"I had a great time learning some new stuff. It's great knowing you can fill a crater and cover it in matting in about 20 minutes," said Builder Constructionman Jacob Port, a member of the crater repair team.
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