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CPX Prepares NMCB 3 for Field Training Exercise, Deployment

Navy News Service

Story Number: NNS140923-19
Release Date: 9/23/2014 8:38:00 PM

By Construction Electrician Constructionman Curtis Lee, Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 3 Public Affairs

PORT HUENEME, Calif. (NNS) -- Seabees from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 3 kicked off the first Command Post Exercise (CPX) of their 2014 homeport aboard Naval Base Ventura County, California, Sept. 22.

The four-day exercise challenges NMCB 3's command and control, communications, and timely decision making capabilities through real-world scenarios centered on humanitarian aid and disaster relief operations.

Similar to a carrier strike group's Composite Unit Training Exercise (COMPTUEX) and Joint Task Force Exercise (JTFX) certification process, CPX is one in a series of training events leading to the battalion's final graded Field Training Exercise (FTX), which certifies the battalion can deploy.

'With many new people in battalion and change in company leadership, CPX sets a baseline for where the company and battalion stand as a whole,' said NMCB 3 Bravo Company Commander Lt. j.g. Jonathon Gomez-Rivera. 'It helps us identify our deficiencies and areas where we can improve.'

Each company within the battalion was entrusted with an area of responsibility in order to effectively defend the camp and perform their specialties.

While Seabees in Alpha and Charlie Companies take care of Civil Engineer Support Equipment and vertical construction, Bravo Company focuses on camp security and maintenance.

In addition to maintaining all camp utilities, Bravo Company also mans the camp entry control point and quick reaction force, ensuring battalion security.

NMCB 3 will use the lessons learned during CPX 1 in order to formulate creative solutions for CPX 2-4 and the battalion's upcoming FTX scheduled next year.

The Naval Construction Force is a vital component of the U.S. Maritime Strategy. The force provides deployable battalions capable of providing disaster preparation and recovery support, humanitarian assistance and combat operations support.