FORT HUNTER LIGGETT, Calif. - Seabees from Underwater Construction Team 2 joined Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 4 in a field training exercise at Fort Hunter Liggett in Northern California last month.
This joint exercise gave 18 Seabees from NMCB 4 a firsthand look at underwater construction team operations while they provided direct security support to UCT 2.
UCT 2’s Construction Dive Detachment Alfa and command element participated in the exercise in preparation for CDD Alfa’s deployment across the Pacific. The deployment will take the unit to Pearl Harbor, the Philippines, Korea and the Marshall Islands.
“UCT 2 and NMCB 4 personnel became a cohesive team over the couple weeks they spent together,” said Senior Chief Builder (SCW/DV) Chris Torina of UCT 2. “The NMCB 4 security personnel did an outstanding job providing small unit coastal security to UCT 2 during their diving operations.”
UCT 2 was tasked with precision demolition, detailed bridge inspection, underwater salvage and a diver casualty scenario.
“With multiple tasks and travel came convoys, hasty defense planning and, most importantly, the need for teamwork between both commands,” said Chief Warrant Officer 3 Andrew Burns, UCT 2’s operations officer. “NMCB 4 and UCT 2 were up to the challenge and were operating as a cohesive unit in no time.”
UCT 2 provides responsive inshore and ocean underwater construction, inspection, repair and maintenance to ocean facilities for Navy, Marine Corps and Joint Forces engaged in military operations.