NMCB 3 assumes charge of the Pacific Region NCF Operations

OKINAWA, JAPAN

09.03.2015

Story by Petty Officer 1st Class Michael Gomez    

Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 3

OKINAWA, Japan - Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 3 assumed charge of all Pacific Region Naval Construction Force (NCF) missions during a transfer of authority ceremony on Camp Shields, the Seabee camp in Okinawa, Japan, Sept. 3, officially relieving NMCB 5 of all duties and responsibilities.

The relief in place and transfer of authority ceremony (RIP/TOA) marked the official start of NMCB 3’s deployment and the end of NMCB 5's deployment to Pacific region that started in February when they deployed from Port Hueneme, California.

Before the RIP/TOA could occur, a weeklong inspection and review was conducted of all equipment, supplies, projects, facilities, and civil engineering support equipment (CESE).

When a Seabee battalion deploys, they do not travel with their equipment. Instead, all of the construction equipment and supplies that they will use are already at their deployment sites. A detailed turnover must be conducted before the oncoming battalion commences work.

The CESE undergoes a more thorough inspection, in a process called the Battalion Equipment Evaluation Program (BEEP). The BEEP inspection is designed to transfer all special knowledge of CESE maintenance, operations, and techniques to the relieving battalion. During the BEEP inspection, NMCB 3 Alfa Company, consisting of construction mechanics and equipment operators, inspected and received custody of more than 300 units of CESE.

“We prepared and trained in homeport for deployment to conduct a smooth and successful transition with NMCB 5,” said Construction Mechanic 2nd Class Antonio Harris.

When the inspection was complete, a red diamond shaped sticker with a white number three, called a BEEP sticker, was placed on each piece of CESE. A red diamond identifies the CESE as belonging to an NMCB. A triangle will identify it as belonging to a naval construction regiment.

“They were extremely thorough during the inspections and performed their duties according to the instructions and procedures,” said Lt. Don R. Pasteur, Alfa Company commander. “Alfa Company performed exceptionally well,”

Along with the equipment and supply turnover, NMCB 3 relieved NMCB 5 of construction project responsibilities throughout NCF.

Now that the turnover is complete, NMCB 5 will return to Port Hueneme, Calif.

NMCB-3 is homeported in Port Hueneme, California, and is currently deployed to Okinawa, Japan. Its mission is to support Navy and joint forces throughout the U.S. Pacific Command with construction projects and humanitarian missions in more than 13 different geographical locations.

• Date Taken: 09.03.2015
• Date Posted: 09.08.2015 03:12
• Story ID: 175405
• Location: OKINAWA, JP