NMC EAD Unit Misawa trains alongside MOMAUs

Photo By Senior Chief Petty Officer Daniel Sanford | Mineman Seaman Ashley Hoover, originally from Mount Pleasant, Penn., and attached to Mobile Mine Assembly Unit (MOMAU) 5, attaches a safety and arming group to a testing box to ensure the continuity for the connection flow on a Mark 65 mine. Sailors from both MOMAU 5 and MOMAU 8 are conducting their annual training with Navy Munitions Command East Asia Division Unit Misawa. The units are working together on mine-building qualifications and certifications during the two-week training period. (U.S. Navy photo by Senior Chief Mass Communication Specialist Daniel Sanford/Released)  

MISAWA AIR BASE, AOMORI, JAPAN

03.22.2013

Story by Senior Chief Petty Officer Daniel Sanford 

Naval Air Facility Misawa

NAVAL AIR FACILITY MISAWA, Japan – Sailors from Navy Munitions Command East Asia Division (NMC EAD) Unit Misawa completed two weeks of training and certification with reservists from Mobile Mine Assembly Unit (MOMAU) 5 and MOMAU 8, March 22, 2013.

MOMAU 5 sailors, out of Pittsburgh, and MOMAU 8 sailors out of Austin, Texas, traveled to Naval Air Facility Misawa to conduct their annual training aboard the northern Japan-located U.S. naval installation.

While together, the three units focused on training and certifying its sailors on building mines safely and efficiently. According to Senior Chief Mineman Cesar Montero, NMC EAD Unit Misawa senior enlisted advisor, this training ultimately prepares the sailors for next year’s Mine Readiness Certification (MRC) Inspection, as well as for unit mobilization readiness in case of real world situations.

“MOMAU 5 and MOMAU 8 are our reserve units, so it is important that we train and integrate together as often as possible during the mine assembly process,” said Montero. “Training opportunities like this help ensure that all unit personnel are capable of meeting the stringent requirements to safely accomplish the mine warfare mission.”

When that mission arises, MOMAU 5 and MOMAU 8 reservists augment NMC EAD Unit Misawa and together they are capable of quickly outfitting and shipping a diverse assortment of mines to operational naval units. This kind of expedient response makes the collective team a major asset for Commander, Mobile Mine Assembly Group.

“The MOMAUs provide a vital role to the mission and provide us with additional manning and critical qualifications that are necessary in maintaining a quick response, no matter the situation,” said Chief Mineman Scott Kopelwitz, NMC EAD Unit Misawa leading chief petty officer. “The training provided here is important to all units involved because at the end of the day we must be ready, trained, and capable to deliver assets that are 100 percent reliable for the fleet.”

This kind of cohesiveness has served the fleet well and LT Joe Phillips, NMC EAD Unit Misawa commanding officer, says the relationship between his unit and the MOMAUs has proven to be mutually beneficial.

“When our units get together, we all benefit from the exposure through shared experience, ideas and lessons learned,” said Phillips. “Sure we always want to be inspection ready, but more importantly, this ensures we’re always prepared for whatever real-world situation requires our attention.”

For more news from Naval Air Facility Misawa, check out our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/nafmisawa.

• Date Taken: 03.22.2013
• Date Posted: 03.24.2013 10:34
• Story ID: 104019
• Location: MISAWA AIR BASE, AOMORI, JP