NMCB 4 Seabees Complete Koa Moana Exercise

OVALU , FIJI

08.02.2016

Courtesy Story

Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 4

By Construction Electrician 3rd Class Diana Borja,
Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 4 Echo Company

Seabees assigned to U.S. Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 4, U.S. Marines from the 9th Engineer Support Battalion, III Marine Expeditionary Force and the Republic of Fiji Military Force (RFMF) completed the 2016 Koa Moana Exercise with a closing ceremony, Aug. 2.

Exercise Koa Moana, meaning ocean warrior, is designed to improve interoperability and enhance military-to-military relations. The exercise gives U.S. service members exposure to different types of terrain and familiarity with the region to improve their ability to respond in the event of a natural disaster. Koa Moana also provides a unique opportunity to build stronger relationships between the U.S. and Fijian military forces.

From July 1 to Aug. 1, the participating units worked together to conduct vertical construction training led by Project Supervisor, Chief Builder (Select) Joseph McFadden and Crew Leader, Utilitiesman 3rd Class Dustin Swain.

“My job as Crew Leader was to ensure that our crew and the Fijians were following the correct procedures as we were welding trusses, installing windows and putting in doors to complete the project,” said Swain. “The Fijians were very knowledgeable in our construction techniques and they were able to teach us a different way of installing the roof.”

Seabees and Marines also used the opportunity to practice and apply their engineering skills such as excavating and pouring foundation to laying blocks and welding beams. The crews worked 12-hour days on two projects, building an infirmary and reconstructing a nine-classroom building. McFadden said it brought satisfaction and a sense of accomplishment to the team.

“[Training] to help a community rebuild after a national disaster was the most satisfying experience while participating in Koa Moana,” said McFadden. “It was a great experience to work with the Fijian military force. I learned a lot from them; they showed me how to get the job done by using different methods of construction.”

The performance and hard work from the combined forces made the completion of this project possible and enabled the Seabees, Marines and Fijians to build a stronger partnership.

NMCB 4 is the forward deployed pacific NMCB ready to support Major Combat Operations and Humanitarian Assistance/ Disaster Relief operations and to provide general engineering and civil support to Navy, Marine Corps and joint operational forces. Homeported out of Port Hueneme, Calif., NMCB 4 has detachment sites deployed throughout the United States and Pacific area of operations, including Cambodia, Diego Garcia, Guam, Japan, Philippines, Republic of Korea and Timor Leste.

For more news from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 4, visit www.public.navy.mil/necc/1ncd/Pages/NMCB4 or follow NMCB 4 on Facebook at www.facebook.com/NMCB4

• Date Taken: 08.02.2016
• Date Posted: 09.09.2016 19:38
• Story ID: 209210
• Location: OVALU , FJ