Ultimate building machine proves to be mobile construction beast

Photo By Sgt. Marcel Brown | Pfc. Kenneth Hornung, Marine Wing Support Squadron 171 combat engineer, uses a pre-seamer on a piece of steel during a training evolution at the MWSS-171 lot here July 28. The pre-seamer allows other pieces of steel to align with one another during assembly.  

AICHI, JAPAN

07.28.2011

Story by Cpl. Marcel Brown 

Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni

IWAKUNI, Japan - Marine Wing Support Squadron 171 combat engineer Marines completed a training evolution July 28, building the first ultimate building machine K-span structure on station.

“We got to do things here that would have taken hundreds of thousands of dollars, it seemed, to take it to Hawaii for the same training,” said Gunnery Sgt. Bernie Camarillo, combat engineer platoon staff non-commissioned officer in charge.

The training was conducted in preparation for exercise Lava Viper 2012 in Hawaii, where MWSS-171 combat engineers are slated to construct three UBMstyle case band buildings.

The UBM is an all-terrain, mobile machine capable of producing durable steel structures in days rather than weeks or months. The machine is able to shape, cut and curve thin sheets of steel for construction in minutes.

“The K-span is a really good expedient, quick and more logical way to cover storage,” said Camarillo.

During past exercises, Marines used tents to store equipment, which can sometimes be compromised under extreme wind, rain and cold climates.

“A big part of our job is vertical construction as combat engineers,” said Sgt. Kyle W. Edens, MWSS-171 combat engineer foreman. “So if we can employ this machine the way that it can be employed, then we can build more hardened structures vice tents.”

The new case band structures are a sturdier and more efficient solution to storing gear and equipment during exercises for a list of reasons.

“It’s really cheap to build because it’s thin steel rather than lumber and dry wall and everything else that usually goes into building a house or structure,” said Edens. “You can add lighting, climate control units, personnel doors on the ends of the building the sky is the limit with these buildings.”

Throughout the training evolution, the Marines were not only familiarized with operating the UBM, but they also gained experience in properly calibrating, assembling and erecting steel frames as they would in Lava Viper.

Each time the UBM is started for a new project, it takes approximately three test runs to get the ideal calibrations and measurements. These pieces of steel used for testing become scrap metal and cannot be used during construction.

During Lava Viper, it will be important for Marines to have the UBM up and running with as little test runs as possible.

“In Lava Viper, we’re only going to get the exact amount of steel that we need, so we can’t afford to scrap metal or we’ll be short,” said Lance Cpl. David B. Wilson, MWSS-171 combat engineer. “Getting training here, everybody’s getting the hang of it. So by the time we get out there, it’s going to be a lot easier.”

Edens said the decision has yet to be made whether to tear down the UBM case band structure or to use it as a temporary storage facility for the MWSS-171 Marines here.

• Date Taken: 07.28.2011
• Date Posted: 08.03.2011 02:41
• Story ID: 74726
• Location: AICHI, JP