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NMCB 3 Takes Lead on Building West Coast Seabee Technical Trainer

Navy News Service

Story Number: NNS111003-19
10/3/2011

By Builder 2nd Class (SCW) Michael Lafountain, Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 3 Public Affairs

PORT HUENEME, Calif. (NNS) -- Seabees from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 3 began construction on a training complex Sept. 27 that will enable Seabee battalions to conduct training specific to their deployment missions' demands.

This training facility or "Seabee Technical Trainer" will provide a place for Seabees to train and develop technical construction skills on concrete formwork, concrete finishing, masonry, subterranean utilities, carpentry, pre-engineered building fabrication, overhead power lines, interior finishing, and steel fabrication.

"We will be building the administrative building, Module 3, and Module 4 of the project," said Builder 2nd Class (SCW) Bo Watkins, a member of NMCB 3's Charlie Company and the crew leader of the project. "The Administrative building will consist of one office and three bathrooms. Module 3 will be used for overhead concrete pour training, and dry material storage. Module 4 will be constructed with concrete walls and columns and will be used for stair construction training."

Company leadership is excited about the technical trainer.

"The Seabee Technical Trainer will be great for the battalion," said Chief Builder (SCW) Jesse Garcia-Montes of NMCB 3's Charlie Company. "It will allow us to schedule our training better and work with our own troops on different construction applications. We will be able to better determine the skills our troops need and give them the appropriate training."

Currently, Seabees must be sent to formal training sessions offered by the Naval Construction Training Center for specific construction skills. With the Technical Trainer complex, NMCB commands at Port Hueneme will be able to train their Seabees more efficiently and with greater flexibility saving time and money.

Chief Steel Worker (SCW) Mike Bonifer of the 30th Naval Construction Regiment estimates the project to cost $580,000 and is expected to reach completion in August 2012.

Another Seabee Technical Trainer is also being constructed at Naval Construction Battalion Center in Gulf Port, Miss. and is expected to be completed in summer 2012.

NMCB 3 is currently conducting Homeport operations in Port Hueneme, Calif. and is preparing for a spring deployment to Europe and Africa.

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.