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www.seabee.navy.mil/ncf
On January 9, 2003, the 20TH Seabee Readiness Group (SRG) was established and the 20th Naval Construction Regiment disestablished in a ceremony on the Parade field at Naval Construction Battalion Center, Gulfport. The mission of the Seabee Readiness Group, under the direction of 1NCB is to train all 1NCB units for the purpose of attaining the highest possible state of readiness to provide responsive engineering support to Navy, Marine Corps, and other forces in military operations; to construct and maintain base facilities; to repair battle damaged facilities; to conduct defensive operations as required; and to meet disaster preparedness and recovery missions.
The Seabee Readiness Group provides direct support as specified herein to the Commander, TWENTY-SECOND Naval Construction Regiment, and its subordinate units. The Seabee Readiness Group also serves as the personnel receiving and processing activity for deployed LANTFLT Naval Construction Force units, and performs other tasks as directed by 1NCB.
Support provided to the four Gulfport active duty battalions includes military, technical, and special Seabee training to assist them in becoming completely self-sufficient and capable of deploying and accomplishing a mission anywhere in the world.
The SRG receives, processes and trains new personnel in transit to battalions deployed away from homeport and receives personnel from the battalions for processing for release from active duty or reassignment to new duty stations.
The SRG provides assistance to family members of active duty battalion personnel on overseas deployment and keeps abreast of the battalions’ activities thr e Unit. They train annually at CBC Gulfport and elsewhere within the continental United States. These units get similar technical and military training as the active Seabee battalions.
http://www.seabee.navy.mil/index.cfm/1483
“The First and the Finest,” Naval Mobile Construction Battalion ONE, has a long, proud and distinguished history that reaches back to the early days of World War II. Commissioned on March 15, 1942 as Naval Construction Battalion ONE (NCB), the Battalion was soon split into two detachments and sent into service in the South Pacific.
NMCB ONE operated in the South Pacific for 23 months, mostly in the vicinity of the Tonga and Samoan Islands. During this time, various detachments built runways, base facilities, gun emplacements, fuel and oil storage tank farms as well as various other projects. With operations in the South Pacific drawing to a close, the Battalion was sent home and decommissioned in June 1944.
In 1949, the Navy began an intense reorganization that included the creation of a new type of construction unit – the Mobile Construction Battalion. On August 8, 1949, U.S. Naval Mobile Construction Battalion ONE was established at Naval Amphibious Base, Little Creek, Virginia and was formally commissioned on October 28 of that same year.
Homeport changed for the Battalion in 1951 when it moved from Little Creek to Davisville, Rhode Island. During the ensuing years, the Battalion served at Puerto Rico; Guantanamo Bay, Cuba; Bermuda; Port Lyautey, French Morocco; Argentia, Newfoundland; and Rota, Spain. In 1956, the Battalion went to Antarctica and participated in Operation DEEP FREEZE II. During this time, NMCB ONE with its detachments was simultaneously employed on six continents. NMCB ONE returned to Antarctica in 1961, this time to assemble a nuclear power plant and work on 17 projects for which the Battalion received the Navy Unit Commendation.
NMCB ONE was the first Atlantic Fleet Battalion to take part in the Vietnam conflict. From 1966 to 1970, the Battalion made four consecutive deployments to Vietnam. During this time, four NMCB ONE members made the ultimate sacrifice serving their country. Their names were Constructionman Starkey, Steelworker 3rd Class Williams, Chief Builder McGinn, and Lt. j.g. Moscrip.
In 1974 NMCB ONE was the last Battalion to deploy from Davisville. When the Battalion returned from Rota, it settled down in its new home at the Naval Construction Battalion Center in Gulfport, Mississippi.
NMCB ONE sent two details in 1990 to Saudi Arabia in support of Operations DESERT SHIELD and DESERT STORM. The following year, the Battalion provided disaster relief following super typhoons on Guam and American Samoa. Upon returning to homeport in May 1992, the Battalion was again providing disaster relief, this time in South Florida in the aftermath of Hurricane Andrew. In December 1992, NMCB ONE redeployed from Rota to Somalia to conduct construction in support of Operation RESTORE HOPE.
A 180-person detachment from NMCB ONE deployed to Bosnia-Herzegovina in December 1997 to support Operation JOINT GUARD. NMCB ONE returned to the Balkans when a 97-person detachment deployed to Kosovo in December 1999 as part of Task Force Falcon. During their 2000 European deployment, Detail Souda Bay conducted disaster recovery operations in remote Crete villages following torrential rains.
In June 2002, the Battalion deployed to Okinawa, Japan for the first time since 1987, where it performed various peacetime construction operations across the Pacific. Upon arriving in Okinawa, the Battalion immediately redeployed a 102-person Air Detachment to Basilan Island, Republic of the Philippines, in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. Under hostile conditions, the Air Det improved roads, drilled water wells, built bridges and base camps and rebuilt a dilapidated timber pier.
During its 2003-2004 Pacific Deployment, “The First and The Finest” made history by being the first NMCB to have deployed to two main-body
deployment sites in Rota, Spain and on Guam. NMCB ONE performed peacetime construction operations in the Atlantic, European, Pacific and Central Command Areas of Responsibility, while simultaneously deploying its Air Det to Iraq in support of IRAQI FREEDOM. In September 2004, NMCB ONE performed disaster recovery operations at NAS Pensacola following Hurricane Ivan.
For its 2005 European deployment NMCB ONE and its details served in twelve countries throughout Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Carribean, and once again deployed its Air Det to Iraq in support of Operation IRAQI FREDOM 04-06. Immediately upon returning to homeport in August 2005, the Battalion commenced substantial disaster recovery operations in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
In June 2006, NMCB ONE deployed to 20 sites in 9 countries as part of their Pacific deployment. The Battalion performed peacetime construction operations in Okinawa, Atsugi, Sasebo, Yokosuka, Iwakuni, Fuji, Chinhae, Pohang, Diego Garcia, Camp Pendleton, and San Clemente Island,
contingency operations in Pohnpei, Indonesia, Philippines, and Afghanistan, and prison detainee operations in Iraq.
Throughout its 65 proud years of service, NMCB ONE and its detachments have been awarded five Navy Unit Commendations, four Meritorious Unit Commendations, ten Navy “E” Ribbons as the Atlantic Fleet Best of Type, and seven Peltier Awards as the best Seabee Battalion in the Naval Construction Force.
www.seabee.navy.mil/nmcb7
Naval Mobile Construction Battalion SEVEN (NMCB 7) has a rich history that can be traced back to origin of the Seabees in 1942. NMCB 7 was one of the original 10 Seabee Battalions authorized, and was commissioned on June 17, 1942 at the Naval Construction Training Center, Camp Allen, Norfolk, Virginia.
From August 1942—November 1943, NMCB 7 deployed to the New Hebrides, Hawaii, Marianas Islands and Okinawa, Japan. They constructed a fighter field, bomber fields, numerous docks and piers, two hospitals, communications towers, military camps, bridges, warehouses and magazines. The battalion was decommissioned for the first time on October 30, 1945.
On August 22, 1951, NMCB 7 was commissioned for a second time. During the Korean war, between March 1952 to June 1953 NMCB 7 deployed twice to Port Lyautey, French Morocco and once to Guantanamo Naval Base, Cuba. From October 1957 until August 1959, NMCB 7 single-handedly completed the construction of two Coast Guard LORAN stations. This was the largest construction project undertaken by a peacetime Atlantic Fleet construction battalion.
From 1964 until April 1965, NMCB 7 deployed to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba and to Rota, Spain from July through November 1965. NMCB 7 was selected “Best of Type” in the Atlantic Fleet and awarded the Battle Efficiency “E” for fiscal year 1965. From 1966 through 1970, NMCB 7 deployed to the Republic of Vietnam. Deployments included Hue-Phu Bai, Danang, Dong Ha, Chu Lai, Landing Zone Baldy and Fire Support Ross. On August 31, 1970, NMCB 7 was decommissioned for a second time.
On August 1, 1985 NMCB 7 was commissioned for a third time onboard Naval Construction Battalion Center Gulfport, Mississippi. In 1986, the main body deployed to Naval Station Rota, Spain and sent six details to Bermuda, Greece, Crete, Scotland, Italy and Germany. In 1989, NMCB 7 was selected as Best of Type and won the Peltier Award for the best active construction battalion in the Naval Construction Force.
In August of 1990, NMCB 7 mobilized to the Middle East in Direct Support of Operation Desert Shield. For three consecutive years (FY94-96), NMCB 7 was awarded the CINPACFLT Golden Anchor award.
In 2003, NMCB 7 deployed to Southwest Asia in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. NMCB 7 supported combat operations by maintaining main and alternate supply routes and jointly constructing the longest NCF Mabey-Johnson span bridge at Az Zubidayah.
In October 2004, NMCB 7 deployed to Guam, Iraq and associated detachment sites encompassing over 20 locations, eleven countries and three continents throughout PACOM and CENTCOM areas of responsibility. While forward deployed, approximately 100 personnel embarked from the island of Guam to Sri Lanka to aid in the disaster-recovery efforts in the wake of a tsunami. Despite a very successful deployment, NMCB 7 suffered a great loss when BUC(SCW) Joel Baldwin will killed in late December 2004 during a suicide attack in Mosul, Iraq.
After returning home, NMCB 7 stood up the initial response to Hurricane Katrina and was the first unit to provide disaster recovery. Their work included search and recovery efforts, demolition, debris removal, road clearing and repair, and assisted two wastewater treatment facilities in resumption of services. NMCB 7 was awarded the Battle Efficiency “E” for fiscal year 2005.
In February 2006, NMCB 7 deployed to Kuwait and Iraq and associated deployment sites encompassing over 24 locations, thirteen countries and four continents.
United States Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 74 was activated April 28, 1943, at the Naval Construction Training Center in CampPerry, Williamsburg, VA. LCDR Fremont G. Elliot assumed command and led the battalion through most of World War II.
“Fearless 74” served its country well in the dangerous island-hopping campaign to reclaim Japanese-held territory in the South Pacific. Often landing with Marine Corps combat troops and operating under heavy enemy bombardment, the battalion constructed support facilities on Tarawa, Kwajalein and the Berlin Islands. For its outstanding achievements, NMCB 74 received the Navy Unit Commendation Medal before being inactivated Oct. 31, 1945, while in Okinawa.
Two decades later, the U.S. Navy called upon NMCB 74 again. The battalion was recommissioned Dec. 6, 1966, at the Naval Construction Battalion Center in Gulfport, MS, and adopted the motto “Does More.” From 1967 to 1970, the battalion made four deployments to Vietnam. NMCB 74 served in various locations, including DaNang, Cam Lo, Dong Hoa, Quang Tri, Quang Nagi, Chau Doc and Bien Hoa. During this time, the battalion was involved in constructing numerous base camps, a 575,000 square foot airfield, a 102 acre heliport, three Army Special Forces camps and a 730 foot bridge. NMCB 74 received a second Navy Unit Commendation Medal following its first Vietnam deployment. On Aug. 17, 1969, just before the battalion was scheduled to return to Vietnam, Hurricane Camille struck the Gulf Coast. The battalion received its third Navy Unit Commendation Medal for recovery actions following the storm.
Folowing the Vietnam War, NMCB 74 continued to serve her country. The battalion participated in peacetime construction efforts around the globe,
including deployments to Diego Garcia; Guam; Okinawa, Japan; Puerto Rico; Rota, Spain; and Sigonella, Sicily. In April 1986, the battalion was awarded the Coast Guard Unit Commendation Citation for supporting the construction of a new Loran C station in Guam during a nine-month deployment.
On Dec. 3, 1990 NMCB 74 was sent to the Persian Gulf in support of Operation Desert Shield/Storm. The battalion initially deployed to Suman Air Base, Bahrain, then redeployed in mid-December to Ra’s Al Mish’ab in northeastern Saudi Arabia. Detail sites included Al Jubail, Al Kibirt, and Al Khafji in Saudi Arabia and Suman Air Base in Bahrain. Among the battalion’s projects were the construction and maintenance of 30 miles of the 200-mile long main supply route, building one of the largest ammunition facilities in the world, a 1,500 foot stabilized soil runway for C-130 aircraft, two large camps for Marines, and support for NMCB 5 in building a 15,000-man camp known as “Wally World.” The battalion’s most notable achievement, however, was Bravo Company’s construction of tank and artillery mock-ups in support of Task Force Troy, Commanding General Norman Schwarzkopf’s successful decoy that was deployed to disguise the main thrust of the allied assault on Iraq.
During recent years, NMCB 74 has continued to live up to its superb reputation. The battalion received the Battle “E” award as Best of Type among Atlantic Fleet battalions in 1993 following an outstanding Okinawa deployment. In May 1994, while deployed to the Caribbean region, the battalion sent Air Detachments to Grand Turk Island and Guantanamo Bay, Cuba to support the construction of migrant processing facilities. Once the mission in Grand Turk was complete, the first Air Det was transferred to Cuba, putting just over 200 of NMCB 74’s finest in support of Joint Task Force 160. The battalion bore the brunt of constructing facilities to house 70,000 Cuban migrants. After returning to homeport in 1995, the battalion was selected to receive the Peltier Award, a highly prestigious honor given each year to the best active duty battalion among the eight mobile construction battalions.
In March 1998 the battalion readopted its original “Fearless” motto. In September 1998 the battalion provided cleanup assistance at the Naval Construction Battalion Center, Gulfport, MS, and throughout the Mississippi Gulf Coast due to damage caused by Hurricane Georges. Secretary of Defense William Cohen presented more than 200 members of the battalion the Humanitarian Service Medal.
Deployed to the Caribbean again in 1999, NMCB 74 assisted the Special Operations Command South (SOCSOUTH) in its relocation from Panama to Naval Station Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico. Buildings were constructed from the ground up and renovations made to already-existing facilities. The battalion also responded to the Kosovo refugee crisis, constructing shelter for 500 displaced civilians in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. For its efforts the battalion was again presented the Peltier Award as the best active duty battalion.
During its 2000 deployment to Okinawa, NMCB 74 sent a DFT to the Philippines and the Kingdom of Thailand as part of Cooperation and Readiness Afloat (CARAT) exercise 2000. The battalion also participated in recovery efforts after Typhoons Jelawat and Saomai on Okinawa, and set records for rock blasting as part of a joint construction operation on Annette Island, Alaska. In recognition of its superb construction efforts throughout the Pacific Rim, NMCB 74 was once again selected to receive the Battle “E” award, its fourth in eight years.
In 2001, NMCB 74 became the final battalion to deploy a mainbody to Camp Moscrip in Puerto Rico, with detail sites at Andros Island, Bahamas; Camp Lejeune, North Carolina; Guantanamo Bay, Cuba; Jacksonville, Florida; New London, Connecticut; Norfolk, Virginia; and Vieques Island, Puerto Rico. The battalion also sent DFTs to Great Inagua Island, Bahamas; conception, Paraguay; and Salta, Argentina. The battalion completed substantial construction tasking throughout the Atlantic region and provided security support at Camp Garcia on Vieques in response to anti-Navy protests during several Composite Unit Training Exercises. On September 11, 2001, the United States was attacked by terrorists. Security measures were increased, and NMCB 74 was challenged with dispatching crew served weapons teams, constructing force protection barriers and establishing a Command Operations Center. While maintaining these measures, the battalion was simultaneously assigned to realign and consolidate Camp Moscrip facilities and equipment in preparation for a new six-month deployed/ten-month homeport rotation cycle. By deployment’s end all facilities were either reassigned to Naval Station Roosevelt Roads or reconfigured for Detachment spaces.
For the Fearless Seabees of Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) SEVENTY-FOUR the 2002/2003 deployment was one of the most
dynamic in the history of the battalion. The battalion deployed to Camp Covington, Guam 5 October 2002 initially deploying five details from the Caribbean to the Pacific as well as a Civic Actions Team to Palau. Shortly after deploying to Guam in early October, the battalion’s Air Det Heavy redeployed to Ahmed Al Jaber Air Base in central Kuwait. The primary tasking was the construction of the F/A-18 Parking Apron and Taxiway project for the 3rd Marine Air Wing. The enormous 22-acre project had a mission critical, operational ready date of mid-January, 2003. Following the early November rollback of Details: Lemoore, San Diego and Hawaii, an additional 170 battalion personnel and equipment were redeployed from Guam to assist in completing the project. After the re-deployment of the Mainbody Super Typhoon Pongsona struck Guam providing the Seabees of the new Detail Guam a perfect opportunity to assist local commands and personnel. Just after Guam was back into shape the Battalion received the call once more to re-deploy their SLRP, AP, and OPP to Kuwait in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. Naval Mobile Construction Battalion SEVENTY-FOUR made significant and critical contributions to FIRST Marine Expeditionary Force’s (I MEF) successful campaign to topple Saddam Hussein’s regime and liberate the people of Iraq. The battalion: completed the largest, pre-hostilities construction project in the entire operational theater; played a defining role in shaping the Naval Construction Force’s operational scheme of maneuver for contingency, non-standard bridging; and provided superb contingency engineering support to First Marine Division during the war, enhancing mobility for assault forces’ logistics and constructing countless force protection and battle space sustainment improvement projects. On the 30th of May 2003 the battalion returned to a hero’s welcome at homeport Gulfport Mississippi.
NMCB 74’s 2004 deployment started in February with project sites across Europe. Details and DFT’s, composed of 329 personnel, were located in Rota, Spain; Sigonella, Italy; Souda Bay, Greece; Slunj, Croatia; and Accra, Ghana. 335 personnel deployed to Kuwait and Iraq in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM II (OIF II). The Air Detachment and MPF Offload Team departed for Kuwait as the Advanced Party, the remaining personnel left from Rota in February. Detachment SWA then became the “main body” site and Rota a Detail site. DET SWA convoyed into Iraq, sending Details to Ar Ramadi, Al Asad, and Fallujah. By the end of April, the Detail sites of Ar Ramadi and Al Asad were turned over to RNMCB 14 and DET SWA was regrouped in Fallujah. In addition to earning 19,982 mandays of work in support of OIF II, NMCB 74 observed firsthand the importance of maintaining considerable Tactical Movement, Engineer Reconnaissance, and jobsite security capabilities. DET SWA built and fought alongside the Marine Corps, constructing bunkers, berms, and bypasses, and then shifted focus once again to perform clean-up operations. The Fearless Seabees completed several traditional contingency projects including the construction of a Thousand-Man Tent Camp for the Fallujah Brigade and a frontier outpost for the Iraqi Border Patrol. Seabees developed and implemented the Iraqi Construction Apprentice Program and undertook a substantial project to build a Community Outreach Center for the Fallujah Liaison Team. Seabees further supported MEF operations by installing watchtowers along a main supply road, creating a bypass to a historically hostile supply route, repairing a bridge damaged by anti-Iraqi forces, and building a hardened bunker for the Marine Camp in Mahmudiyah. In the European theater, NMCB 74 Seabees provided top-notch support to CNE and encountered numerous challenges, providing an excellent environment to train and excel. Details and DFTs successfully completed over 14,000 mandays of construction. Detail Rota tasking included: restarting the Camp Mitchell Command and Control Facility, construction of the Marine Corps Security Force Obstacle Course, BOQ 39 Parking Lot, Hospital PEB, and Critical Maintenance Facility (Bldg 555) Renovation. Detail Sigonella completed the MWR Softball Lighting and Head Facility Renovation and started the NAS II Perimeter Security Fence. Detail Souda Bay finished the MOGAS Station and Emergency Generators Installation. DFT Croatia started and finished construction on Barracks #8 and #9, Latrine Facility, Waterline, and Training Range Road Repair. DFT Ghana started and completed construction on the K-Span Storage Facility, HAASTO Medical Facility, Aircraft Apron, Modular ISO Dormitories, and Shiite Neighborhood Pavilion. With another successful deployment under their belt, the Fearless Battalion returned home to Gulfport by the end of August.
NMCB-74 deployed to Camp Shields, Okinawa, Japan on 6 June 2005 and returned to homeport on 15 December 2005. The battalion initially depl-oyed to nine locations in the Pacific theater and CONUS. In August 2005, the battalion was tasked with deploying to two additional sites. The first tasking was the deployment of an additional detail to Camp Pendleton, CA. The second was a Deployment for Training (DFT) to the Seychelles Islands, Africa.
Three months into the deployment, the Battalion was directly impacted by the affects of Hurricane Katrina. Numerous Battalion personnel experienced moderate to severe levels of property damage and loss. In response to this situation, the Battalion immediately re-deployed a small team of personnel back to Gulfport to assist Command family members with disaster relief. Invaluable services were provided in the form of property damage assessments, benefits and entitlements coordination and disbursement. The presence of this team greatly facilitated the Command’s ability to rapidly account for all personnel including service members and dependents.
In October 2005, the Battalion was ordered to deploy a Heavy Air Detachment in support of Operation Lifeline; earthquake relief efforts in Pakistan. Project work began on 27 October 2005 and continued until 14 December 2005. Various types of humanitarian relief and disaster recovery related projects were completed. The Detachment was primarily tasked with the removal of earthquake related structural and geological debris at numerous school sites within the Muzzaffarabad area. Additional support was provided in the form of tent camp latrine construction and installation, camp maintenance support for the Disaster Assistance Center Pakistan (DAC PAK) staff, the 212th M.A.S.H. and the 267th Quartermaster (Aircraft Refueling) Detachment, and shelter construction in the “Adopt-a-Village” initiative. Advanced Based Functional Component (ABFC) projects included sea huts, shaving tables, heads, urine tubes, and tent decks.
By the end of deployment, the Fearless Seabees were assigned to a total of 13 different sites stretching from the west coast of the United States to Africa. Throughout the deployment, the men and women of NMCB-74 provided high quality, cost effective, and at times strategic construction and contingency support to both U.S. Pacific and Central Commands. Following the lead of Commander Mark Libonate, the Seabees of this Command demonstrated unparalleled levels of professionalism through every challenge they faced.
NMCB-74 has been selected “Best of Type” among the Atlantic Fleet battalions nine times during its history. It was awarded this honor under CDR Gordon W. Schley for fiscal year 1968, CDR James E. Bodamer in 1973, CDR Daniel B. Leonard in 1976, CDR Arthur W. Fort in 1978, CDR B. Daniel Neal in 1993, CDR Ronald W. Hertwig Jr. in 1994, CDR William M. Peacock III in 1999, CDR Francis P. Castaldo in 2000 and CDR Clifford M Maurer in 2003. The battalion also received the Society of American Military Engineers’ Peltier Award, honoring the best active duty battalion, in 1978, 1994, 1999, and 2003. In 2003 the Battalion was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation.
www.seabee.navy.mil/nmcb133
On September 17, 1943, the 133rd Naval Construction Battalion was commissioned at Camp Perry, Williamsburg, Virginia. After seven months of training at Davisville, Rhode Island; Gulfport, Mississippi; and PortHueneme, California, the 133rd NCB was ready for action.
The battalion adopted the kangaroo for a symbolic mascot and “Kangaroo Can Do” for a slogan because the first scheduled assignment was to be Australia. However, change being the inevitable, Naval Air Station, Honolulu, became the first job site.
The invasion of Iwo Jima began February 19, 1945, and the 133rd NCB was one of the Seabee battalions to accompany the invasion forces. The Seabees acted as shore parties maintaining supply lines to the Marines. They also had the job of repairing the island’s three bombed-out Japanese airstrips for use by allied bombers. The battalion was presented the Navy Unit Commendation for its part in the invasion.
The 133rd NCB was decommissioned in December 1945. Naval Mobile Construction Battalion ONE THIRTY-THREE was recommissioned on August 12, 1966, in ceremonies at the Naval Construction Battalion Center in Gulfport, MS, and another proud and quality construction-filled chapter began for the battalion.
NMCB-133 has been a powerhouse ever since their Diego Garcia deployment in 1979, when they won both the Navy “E” and Peltier awards for the first time in history. The Peltier Award is given annually by the Society of American Military Engineers to the most outstanding unit in the active Naval Construction Force. NMCB-133 made history by becoming the first Naval Construction Force unit ever to win the Navy Battle “E” three times in a row: 1982, 1983, and 1984. On top of this, they also won the Peltier Award those same three years. The year 1984 was capped by the unit winning the Golden Anchor Award for excellence in retention and the Navy Battle “E” again in 1986 and 1988 and the Peltier Award again in 1989 and 1992.
While deployed to Europe in 1991, NMCB-133 was diverted to Iraq in support of Operation Provide Comfort. During the 1992 Guam deployment, the unit was assigned the largest construction tasking of any battalion since World War II. Additionally, Guam was hit by five different typhoons during a two-month period of this deployment. NMCB-133 was awarded the Battle “E” and Peltier Award in 1992 as a direct result of their efforts during the deployment and the previous homeport period. NMCB-133 also won the Battle “E” and Navy Unit Commendation for 1995.
On Christmas day 1995, NMCB-133 Seabees arrived in Croatia as part of Operation Joint Endeavor, the peacekeeping effort in Sarajevo,Bosnia-Herzegovina. NMCB-133 sent more troops to Bosnia in 1998, and were again awarded the Battle “E” and Peltier Awards for their performance.
In November 2001, NMCB-133 began support for Operation Enduring Freedom. The air detachment stood up as a U.S. Marine-led coalition force moved into Afghanistan and began operations. The Seabees went in-country on Nov. 28 as part of Task Force 58.
A lead element of 27 Seabees went to Forward Operating Base (FOB) Rhino to maintain a dry lake air strip and provide rudimentary contingency construction. The remainder of the Air Det deployed to Kandahar to help establish a permanent operating base by providing Rapid Runway Repair (RRR) and contingency construction.
In addition to deploying troops to Afghanistan, the battalion readied an 89-person air detachment to take over the Seabee camp in Puerto Rico in December.
In 2003, NMCB 133 deployed to Kuwait and Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. The battalion later sent detachments to Andros and Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
In 2004, the battalion deployed to Okinawa, Japan, with detail sites in South West Asia, California, Korea, Diego Garcia and in mainland Japan.
August 29, 2005 Hurricane Katrina came barreling through the central Gulf Coast, taking with it many lives and causing catastrophic damage to the homes and businesses of countless residents. Within a day, the Seabees from the homeport Battalions of NMCB 1, 7, and 133 rushed out to clear roads so emergency workers could access hard hit areas. In the ensuing weeks, 133 provided extensive humanitarian aid around the area including the critical repair of lift stations, the cleaning and repair of government buildings and schools and the distribution of food, water and clothing to local residents in need.
As these very important projects were going on, teams from the battalion, Tiger Teams were deployed to assist Seabees who were affected by Katrina. The Tiger Teams focused on stabilizing the homes of those who received moderate to severe damage. In all, over 230 homes were temporarily repaired thanks to their perseverance.
In the command, 118 out of 659 people either lost their homes entirely or had them damaged so badly they were unlivable. Those Seabees and their families either sought refuge in warehouses on base or with friends and family. With almost every Seabee in the battalion having faced hardships, some more difficult than others, the Runnin’ Roos of NMCB 133 were proud to have served the joint disaster relief effort and looked forward to serving their country overseas.
With the thought of Katrina still on their minds, the Roos deployed in November of 2005. NMCB 133 deployed to numerous sites throughout
Southwest Asia, with additional detachments in Guam and Whidbey Island. In Iraq, the Runnin’ Roos of 133 supported Marines, Special Operating Forces and Iraqi Security Forces, earning themselves a resounding reputation for impeccable quality and an uncanny ability to meet deadlines that no one else could. Additionally, 133 ran critical convoy security missions all around western Iraq. The heroic members of these teams braved IEDs and small arms fire to ensure critical materials made it to their destiny.
www.seabee.navy.mil
The Twenty-Second Naval Construction Regiment’s function is to lead Naval Construction Force Units to train and execute construction of Advanced Based Facililities in support of military operations and be fully capable in combat operations. In operations other than war, provide construction and engineering support to peace keeping, humanitarian assistance, civic action, disaster recovery and base facilities operations and maintenance.
The Naval Construction Training Center (NCTC) Gulfport was originally commissioned on July 13, 1967 as the Construction Training Unit, Gulfport. The unit’s mission was to train direct procurement petty officers for the Naval Construction Force during the Vietnam build-up.
In early 1968, the activity’s mission was expanded to include the training of personnel assigned to battalions home-ported in Gulfport as well as the majority of the Reserve Naval Construction Force, in those skills necessary for the battalion to execute its construction mission. A small array of six formal courses was begun in late 1968 with the first course offered being the Construction Mechanic “C” course, Automatic Transmissions.
The Direct Procurement Petty Officer Program ended in February 1971 after training approximately 10,000 Seabees. Shortly thereafter, the Construction Apprentice Basic Indoctrination Program began for a short period before “A” school training became standard for all construction recruits. With the deactivation of the Construction Battalion Center, Davisville, the decision was to make NCTC Gulfport and NCTC Port Hueneme mirror image training centers, each offering the same courses and training with approximately the same number of students.
In 1974, construction began on the training facilities needed to support NCTC Gulfport’s expanding mission. Additional courses were subsequently brought on-line in 1975 and 1976.
In 1975, NCTC Gulfport became the first vocational technology school in the Navy to gain Accreditation. The training center is accredited by the Council on Occupational Education. As a result, students and staff enjoy the benefits of greater acceptance of their experiences by other vocational and post secondary institutes as a consequence.
The growth of NCTC Gulfport continued with the transfer of the Disaster Recovery Training (DRT) School from the Construction Battalion Center in late 1976. DRT is designed to prepare active and reserve Seabees to fulfill that portion of their mission requiring them to assist in the recovery of man-made or natural disasters. Courses offered are popular with the Coast Guard, Air Force, Marine Corp, Army and other federal, state and local government agencies.
In 1989, NCTC Gulfport continued to grow with the addition of two subordinate detachments: NCTC Detachment Sheppard Air Force Base, Wichita Falls, Texas and NCTC Detachment Fort McClellan, Alabama. At the time, DET Sheppard provided support for Navy personnel attending a variety of advanced courses. DET Fort McClellan supported students attending Chemical, Biological, Radiological (CBR) Training courses at the Army Chemical School located there.
In 1995, NCTC Gulfport began a new era with the addition of joint-service training brought about by the initiative called the Interservice Training Review Organization (ITRO). ITRO was created to reduce the costs in the Department of Defense by consolidating similar training in the Armed Forces. A Detailed Study Group (DAG) with members from all services found that similar entry courses could be combined to save money. NCTC Gulfport was selected as the ITRO training site for Army, Navy and Air Force students in October of 1995 and became the sole carpentry/masonry (Builder “A” School) apprentice training site. Navy Steelworker “A” School was also conducted exclusively at NCTC Gulfport.
With the Navy’s Revolution in Training, NCTC Gulfport became a part of the Center for Seabees and Facilities Engineering (CSFE). Since 2004, NCTC Gulfport has been an echelon V command and continues to provide support for the detachments at Sheppard AFB, TX and Fort Leonardwood, MO. Following Hurricane Katrina, NCTC Gulfport worked with CSFE to ensure continuity of training during the restoration of damaged facilities. Fiscal Year 2006 student throughput reached nearly 12,000 Seabees, Soldiers and Airman, trained and ready in basic and advanced skills.
With recapitalization efforts underway to rebuild after the storm, and expected increases in the students coming through the training pipeline, the challenges ahead may change, but in over 40 years of training our basic mission has not. Skill through knowledge remains our motto and the focus for success.
http:reserves.navy.mil
The Gulfport Naval and Marine Corps Reserve Center is located at the Seabee Center in Building 114 under the command of an active duty officer and 15 active duty support personnel. The Reserve facility services over 480 Naval reservists attached to 20 units, ensuring that all administrative and training goals are efficiently fulfilled.
The Naval Reserve Units located in Gulfport are: Naval Mobile Construction Battalion Twenty Eight, Fourth Service Support Group Fourth Medical Battalion Surgical Company Alfa Detachment Eight, Construction Battalion Center Gulfport Augment, Twentieth Seabee Readiness Group Atlantic Augment, Personnel Mobilization Team One Four One Zero, Seal Boat Team Revering Maintenance, Seal Boat Team Revering Training/Operations, Naval Reserve Security Force, Naval Cargo Handling Battalion Thirteen Surf Company Alpha, Naval Cargo Handling Battalion Thirteen Maintenance Company, Naval Ocean Intelligence Zero One Eight Two, Naval Special Warfare Detachment Gulfport, Naval Hospital Pensacola Detachment Bravo, Naval Cargo Handling Battalion Thirteen Headquarter Company, Twenty Second Naval Construction Regiment Augment, Two One Two Mobile Inshore Underwater Warfare Group, Naval Coastal Warfare Squadron Twenty Eight, UUS Groves Fast Frigate 29, Voluntary Training Unit 1022, and Naval Reserve Non Prior Service Training Unit Zero Nine Two Nine.
The Marine Corps is represented by the 3rd Platoon, (Rein) Company A 4th Assault Amphibian Battalion, 4th Marine Division. Currently, one officer and 60 enlisted Marines compose the Reserve reinforced platoon. The reserve unit is supported by an Inspector-Instructor staff composed of one active duty Marine officer, 12 active duty Marine non-commissioned officers and one regular Navy Corpsman.
In addition to Building 114, the Naval Reserve Cargo Handling Battalion 13 and Mobile Inshore Underwater Warfare Unit 212 are located in Buildings 428 and 429. These reserve units are manned by 12 enlisted active duty personnel and include administrative, maintenance and storage areas.
During Operation Iraqi Freedom, the Mobile Inshore Underwater Warfare Group along with several members from various other units attached to the Naval and Marine Corps Reserve Center were mobilized in support of this effort. Naval Reservists drilling in Gulfport participate in numerous training sequences each month, as well as several civic action programs during the year.The Reserve Center has been in operation on the Gulf Coast since 1946.
The Seabee Center is home for the 3rd Platoon, (Rein) Company A, 4th Assault Amphibian Battalion, 4th Marine Division. Currently one officer and 80 enlisted Marines compose the Reserve reinforced platoon. The Reserve unit is supported by an Inspector-Instructor staff, composed of one Marine officer, 12 Marine non-commissioned officers and one Navy corpsman.
The Reinforced Platoon is a highly mobile unit with unique capabilities. The equipment used to support the reserves consists of assault amphibian vehicles (AAV’s) and several pieces of rolling stock. One weekend a month, the reserve unit conducts training that ranges from maintenance and equipment maintenance to waterborne operations, infantry skills and marksmanship. Once a year the unit goes on two weeks of active duty at a major Marine Corps installation, where, combined with other Marine Reserve units, large scale training exercises are conducted. Since the attacks of 911 the reserve unit has been deployed both in 2003 and 2005 to Iraq. While in Iraq the unit did loose two of their Marines to terrorist.
The assault amphibian vehicle, because of its speed and maneuverability on both land and water, presents a definite asset to the community during natural disasters such as hurricanes and flooding. The unit has been called upon in the past to assist and stands ready if ever needed again. In August of 2005 the assault amphibian unit provided two vehicles to help in the rescues of over 300 people along the Gulf Coast region the first two days of Hurricane Katrina, while providing food and water to stranded victims along the coast. Since then the unit is and will be involved in all hurricane exercise plans.
Combining an active aware-ness in community affairs, participation in civic events and partaking in the nation-wide Toys for Tots campaign, the Gulfport Marine Reserves have established a permanent place in the community.
Mobile Inshore Undersea Warfare Unit 212 (MIUW 212) was commissioned on April 17, 1988. The unit’s primary mission is surface/subsurface surveillance of harbors and approaches, roadsteads, straits, anchorages, advanced bases, amphibious objective areas and other inshore areas of importance, which support the requirements of mobilization or contingency plans worldwide. The Radar Sonar and Surveillance Center AN/TSQ-108 is utilized primarily by the unit to complete its mission.
The unit structure consists of 12 officers and 55 enlisted reserve billets which are complimented by nine enlisted active duty personnel. The Commanding Officer of MIUW 212 reports directly to Commander, Naval CoAstal Warfare Squadron 26 administrativelyand Commander, Naval Coastal Warfare Group TWO, operationally. The unit is located at the Seabee Center in building 428.
NMOPDC was established in July 2000 to address the professional development of the officer, enlisted and civilian employees in the meteorologyand oceanography (METOC) fields. NMOPDC focuses on maximizing training initiatives, efforts and resources throughout the Navy’s METOC Community. A tenant command at the Naval Construction Battalion Center in Gulfport, MS, the Center provides one-stop shopping for all training requirements. The command is dedicated to provide accurate, up-to-date training at the waterfront supporting fleet concentration areas in Norfolk, VA; San Diego, CA; Newport, RI; Stennis Space Center, MS; and Yokosuka, Japan.
The Center’s mission is to advance and implement the educational and professional development of the Navy’s METOC personnel to enhance support to the warfighter. With the changing face of today’s military, extensive knowledge of the environment is required to ensure tactical advantage. NMOPDC strives to ensure all METOC personnel are fully educated in every aspect of support to naval warfare.
The Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Professional Development Center is located
within Bldg. 60.
Port Security Unit 308 was commissioned September 19, 1998. Port Security Units are Coast Guard units that deploy overseas into ports, harbors, and riverine environments in support of Department of Defense Operations, providing the theater Commander-in-Chief with non-redundant naval Coastal Warfare force multiplier, leveraging Coast Guard core competencies (small boat operations; VBSS, SAR, and environmental protection.)
Port Security Units are staffed with 151 person (145 reservist/6 active duty) to man and support six high-speed 25-foot Transportable Port Security Boats outfitted with various types of armament. These assets are primarily used to provide waterborne and (limited) landside defense of naval shipping, port facilities and supplying staging areas. The unit is located at the Mississippi Air National Guard Base, Gulfport, MS, Building 77.
Naval Construction Force Support Unit THREE was commissioned in October 1984 in Charleston, South Carolina. The Unit is totally manned by Naval Reservists, with a four-person active duty support staff. In October 1985, NCFSU3 moved from Charleston to a new Readiness Support Site (RSS) at Fort Jackson, SC, in order to merge with NCFSU1, which had been headquartered in Greensboro, North Carolina, but was being decommissioned.
The Unit headquarters, or RSS, at Fort Jackson was initially occupied in April 1996. While NCFSU3 was aboard Fort Jackson, a modern equipment maintenance facility and warehouse were constructed, and the complete interior and exterior renovation of four administrative buildings was accomplished.
In May 1999, NCFSU3 planned and successfully executed the first ever convoy of Prepositioned War Reserve Material Stock (PWRMS) from Gulfport, MS, to Jacksonville, Florida, by a reserve component. Long haul transportation is a primary mission of NCFSU3.
In September 2000, NCFSU3 once again relocated, this time to the Naval Construction Battalion Center (NCBC), Gulfport, Mississippi. In keeping with its mission, NCFSU3 moved itself. The purpose of the move was to allow NCFSU3 to better train in all its mobilization missions by taking advantage of training resources as well as execute real-time operational missions at CBC Gulfport. The Unit’s contingency mission is to provide logistics support to deployed Naval Construction Force (NCF) units in the form of long haul transportation, specialized equipment operation and maintenance, MLO operations and management and engineering and construction management expertise. The Unit’s peacetime mission is to train to effectively execute its contingency mission and to provide direct contributory support to Fleet and Unified Commanders as directed by higher authority.
Colmer Dining Hall is located in building 367. Everybody can eat in the Galley as long they are in military (active, reservist, and dependent ID withescort). Appropriate civilian clothing must be worn during meal hours. Meal hours are as follows: Monday-Friday: Breakfast, 5:45 a.m., to 7:45 a.m.; Lunch, 11:00 a.m., to 12:30 p.m. (11:00 a.m.-11:45 a.m. NCTC personnel only); Dinner, 4:30 p.m., to 6:00 p.m. Saturday, Sunday and
holidays: Breakfast from 6:30 a.m., to 8:00 a.m.; Lunch 11 a.m., to 12:30 p.m.; Dinner 4:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Personnel Support Activity Detachment (PERSUPPDET), Gulfport, Mississippi, provides pay/personnel and transportation support to all Naval activities, including retired military personnel, from Pascagoula to Stennis Space Center, Mississippi.
The Military Personnel Office is located in Building 118 and the office is open for customer service from 9:00 a.m., to 14:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
All officer and enlisted personnel checking into commands serviced by PSD Gulfport are strongly encouraged to check in with their Pass Liaison Representative at the local duty station in the area.
Application for ID cards should be made at the Customer Service Counter, PERSUPPDET, Building 118, or with battalion personnel offices.
Applications are made on DD Form 1172 and should be verified by the PERSUPPDET Office or the command holding the sponsor’s service record prior to issuance of the ID card. The family member concerned must be present at the time the ID card is issued to take the ID photo and obtain a signature.
Hours of operation for the ID Card Section are 7:00 a.m., to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.
The PERSUPPDET Military Pay Division is located in Building 118. The office is open for customer service from 9:00 a.m., to 14:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. This office provides full pay services for all personnel assigned to the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
All personnel who desire to operate privately-owned vehicles on board the Center must register their vehicles at the Visitor Center, Building 117.
Before a DOD decal (bumper sticker) can be issued, the owner of the vehicle must: (a) hold a valid operator’s license; (b) hold a proper certificate of registration; (c) if the certificate of registration is not in the applicant’s name, written notarized permission of the legal owner must be provided, except when the vehicle is owned by the spouse; (d) provide proof that insurance is carried on the vehicle; and (e) display a current state safety inspection sticker. Operators of vehicles registered in states not requiring current safety inspection stickers MUST obtain one regardless of home state laws.
Personnel going on leave or temporary duty in excess of 72 hours, who plan to leave their vehicles on board the Center, are required to park them in the TAD lot operated by the Patrol Division, Building 117, phone 871-2230.
Decals are issued from 6:00 a.m., to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Decals WILL NOT be issued in inclement weather.
Traffic regulations aboard the Center are
strictly enforced by the Security Department Patrol Division. The speed limit is 25 mph unless otherwise posted.
General visiting aboard the Center is not permitted. However, organized groups or the general public (during special occasions), business representatives, and other persons having reason for entry, may be permitted aboard the installation. Visitor passes are issued at Building 117 and the Broad Avenue Gate after normal working hours. Civilian passes are for 24-hours, enlisted, officer and DOD personnel 1-14 days. Visitors must have valid driver’s license and proof of insurance.
The Personal Property Office is located at the Fleet and Family Support Center in Building 30. This office provides counseling on the movement of household goods. One-on-one appointments are necessary for the shipment of household goods and are scheduled by calling the office between 7:00 a.m., and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday at 228-871-3000, or DSN 868-3000.
When arriving at CBC Gulfport, scheduling of the delivery of household goods may be
done by calling Keesler Air Force Base (TMO) at 228-377-7811/7813, DSN 587-7811/13.
Published by Benchmark Publications, Inc., a private firm in no way connected with the Department of Defense or the Department of the Navy, under exclusive contract with Naval Construction Battalion Center, Gulfport, Mississippi. This base guide/telephone directory is a publication for
members of the military service. Contents of this guide are not necessarily the official views of, nor are they endorsed by the United States Government, the Department of Defense, or the Department of the Navy. The appearance of advertising in this publication does not constitute a government or military or installation endorsement of the products or services advertised. Everything advertised in this publication shall be made available for purchase, use or patronage, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, physical handicap, political affiliation, or any other non-merit factor of the purchaser, user or patron.
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NAVAL CONTRUCTION BATTALION 
