NMCB 3 Trains for Airfield Damage Repair

Navy News Service

Story Number: NNS150319-02
Release Date: 3/19/2015 7:01:00 AM

By Construction Mechanic 3rd Class Zachary Miller, Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 3 Public Affairs.

PORT HUENEME, Calif. (NNS) -- Seabees, assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 3's Airfield Damage Repair (ADR) team, took part in a timed and graded training exercise at Port Hueneme Naval Base Ventura County, March 15.

The exercise tested the battalion's readiness, skills, and knowledge in locating, plotting, repairing, and removing airfield damage and hazards safely and efficiently.

The ADR team was separated into smaller squads that are specialized to carry out specific tasks and were graded on their ability to accomplish each one. The teams went through different scenarios and executed a variety of tasks such as locating and plotting damage, filling craters, patching holes, clearing the runway of debris and laying fiberglass or aluminum matting on the simulated airfield damage site.

According to Lt. Don Pasteur, officer in charge of NMCB-3's ADR team, 'An airfield is potentially a target to enemy forces. A damaged runway can keep critical supplies and personnel from reaching their destinations, and aircraft from carrying out their missions which can decrease operational capabilities. When an airfield is damaged to the point it impedes critical operations, the ADR team is tasked with hastily fixing the airfield to a usable condition until a permanent fix can be made under safer circumstances.'

'The training was very successful. We had a good plan and executed it well,' said Pasteur.

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.