NMCB 1 Seabees train to evacuate non-combatant personnel to support humanitarian relief

Photo By Chief Petty Officer Brannon Deugan | 150829-N-SD965-044 NAVAL STATION ROTA, Spain (Aug. 29, 2015) U.S. Navy Seabees assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 1 input identification data during an evacuation control center training exercise at Camp Mitchell on Naval Station Rota, Spain, Aug. 29, 2015. U.S. 6th Fleet, headquartered in Naples, Italy, conducts the full spectrum of joint and naval operations, often in concert with allied, joint, and interagency partners, in order to advance U.S. national interests and security and stability in Europe and Africa. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Brannon Deugan/Released)  

ROTA, SPAIN

08.29.2015

Story by Petty Officer 1st Class Brannon Deugan 

Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 1

NAVAL STATION ROTA, Spain – U.S. Navy Seabees from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 1 conducted training on operating an Evacuation Control Center (ECC) at Camp Mitchell on Naval Station Rota, Spain, Aug. 29, 2015.

“This training is conducted in preparation for if a situation arises that requires evacuation from a country,” said Chief Intelligence Specialist Torivio Hall, NMCB 1’s assistant officer in charge for ECC. “NMCB 1 could be tasked to deploy and manage an evacuation process while maintaining 100 percent accountability and security in a timely fashion.”

The ECC quickly and efficiently processes all personnel for accountability while safeguarding personnel from all threats.

“The process for going through the ECC starts with the non-combatants being briefed at each station,” said Senior Chief Information Systems Technician Randy Williamson, NMCB 1’s subject matter expert for ECC. “The stations include a security search, medical screening, and registration into the Non-combatant Evacuation Operations (NEO) tracking system that places the evacuating individuals on a roster for the next available seat for departure.”

The security search and medical screening are to ensure the safety of everyone that is being transported out of the country while the NEO tracking system provides a barcoded wristband to those that have been screened in order to provide an accurate tracking of everyone transported to a safe haven.

“We train once a month in order to consistently hit the mark of 100 people per hour,” Williamson said. “The training allows us to prepare for any variables that arise once boots are on the ground during an evacuation procedure because we have been working on our fluidity. It is important to train like you fight.”

NMCB 1 is a Seabee battalion that specializes in contingency construction, disaster response, and humanitarian assistance. The battalion’s home port is in Gulfport, Miss.

The Naval Construction Force is a vital component of the U.S. Maritime Strategy. It offers deployable battalions capable of providing contingency construction, disaster preparation and recovery support, humanitarian assistance, and combat operations support.

• Date Taken: 08.29.2015
• Date Posted: 10.06.2015 09:20
• Story ID: 178234
• Location: ROTA, ES