U.S. Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 4 completed a 48-hour Mount-Out Exercise (MOX), in Port Hueneme, Calif., Apr. 17-21.
This exercise simulates one of the core capabilities of a construction battalion to deploy an 89-person Air Detachment (Air Det.), along with construction equipment, within 48-hours to any location around the globe in support of Major Combat Operations and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations.
“The main focus of the exercise is to demonstrate the battalion's ability to properly prepare, document, load plan and stage Civil Engineering Support Equipment (CESE) and palletized gear for a joint inspection within a 48-hour timeline,” said NMCB 4 Embark Officer, Lt. j. g. William Hennings. “Embarkation is important because it demonstrates the core logistics capability of the battalion and it is a key graded evolution in the basic phase of the Optimized Fleet Response Training Plan (OFRTP).”
The embark team conducted a series of evolutions, from weighing and balancing, shoring, palletizing materials, collecting data for each piece of equipment and prioritizing the order of shipment in a staging area. Specialty-trained load planners input the information into a computer program called Transportation Coordinators' Automated Information for Movements System (TCAIMS) to determine how the Air Det. equipment will fit onto a military aircraft. If the load is not properly planned, it could endanger the flight.
“We have to pay attention to every little detail; one mistake in weighing, marking or loading will ultimately affect the success of the mission,” said Air Det. Load Planner, Construction Mechanic 2nd Class Justin Bennett. “Our job is to ensure we get the correct weights and measurements and load the equipment and cargo onto the plane so it is stabilized and balanced. If something is incorrect, it can throw off the aircraft’s balance and potentially cause a disaster.”
According to Utilitiesman Constructionman Austin Wells, the evolution offers a great training opportunity by having experienced and inexperience personnel working together.
“It gives us the chance to gain more knowledge and skills we need to get the Air det. deployed,” said Wells. “We also have the opportunity to train and qualify on equipment we may not use often and that is outside our rate, helping us become more well-rounded Seabees.”
At the final stage of the exercise, Naval Construction Group (NCG) 1 conducted a joint inspection to determine the accuracy of the equipment and cargo to be placed on the aircraft. After finalizing the inspection, NMCB 4 concluded the evolution.
“The exercise was very successful. The main body and Air Det. Seabees executed the mission efficiently and effectively,” said Hennings. “They maintained 100 percent accountability of the table of allowance (TOA) and personnel, had zero safety mishaps and met the required timeline. Everyone worked hard as a team and constantly communicated ensuring an effective MOX.”
NMCB 4 provides general engineering, disaster relief and humanitarian assistance, and civil support to Navy, Marine Corps and Joint operational forces through planned deployments and contingency response.
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: | 04.21.2017 |
| Date Posted: | 04.25.2017 17:12 |
| Story ID: | 231530 |
| Location: | PORT HUENEME, CA, US |
| Web Views: | 313 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
This work, NMCB 4 Completes 48-Hour Mount Out Exercise, by CPO Rosalie Chang, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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