NCHB 5 & 14 Conduct Hands-on Regimental Training

Photo By Chief Petty Officer John Pearl | 180807-N-YS140-097 ALAMEDA, Calif. (Aug. 7, 2018) Navy Cargo Handling Battalion (NCHB) 14 Sailors guide the onload of a trailer aboard SS Gem State (T-ACS-2) during an exercise at Old Alameda Point. NCHB 5 and NCHB 14’s two-week regimental exercise provides the opportunity for Sailors to work together in a hands-on environment, complete qualifications, increase readiness, and develop the skillsets and proficiency of Sailors new to the battalions.  

ALAMEDA, CA, UNITED STATES

08.20.2018

Story by Chief Petty Officer John Pearl 

Navy Reserve - Navy Public Affairs Support Element West

ALAMEDA, Calif. – Sailors assigned to Navy Cargo Handling Battalion (NCHB) 14 and NCHB 5 moved containers from a nearby marshalling yard and hoisted cargo onto SS Gem State (T-ACS-2), moored at Alameda Point, as part of a two-week exercise from July 29 – Aug. 10. This exercise was designed to provide hands-on practical application of Sailors’ skillsets, increase interoperability between battalions, and qualify Sailors for multiple roles.

According to NCHB 5 Training Officer LT Allan Rasquinha, the planning part of the exercise is intricate and directly impacts the day-to-day operations. “Our goal is to load and unload ships at all times and do it in a safe and efficient manner. So, we simulate a stow plan, and we simulate a sail time. The planners say we are going to load x amount of containers, y amount of vehicles, and z amount of other cargo,” said Rasquinha. “It is really amazing coordination because they have to work with what they are pulling from the inventory, how they load the ship, and, which Sailors are qualified for different kinds of loads.”

On the deck of SS Gem State (T-ACS-2), Gunner’s Mate Petty Officer 3rd Class Brennan Massaglia of NCHB 14 notes repetition with the equipment is critical to mission success. “This exercise helps us get hands-on and learn our craft. Practice, practice, practice. We are learning to get our mission done as safely and effectively as possible. We are also trying to get our qualifications done over these two weeks.”

Several hundred yards away, Senior Chief Electronics Technician James Seedorf of NCHB 5 operates a tactical operations center (TOC) from the marshalling yard. He and his team play a pivotal role in today’s ambitious goal of moving 5 containers from the yard to aboard the ship per hour for, a sustained period of time.

“The ship can load containers. The yard can move containers, but can they work together? TOC is the glue between those two movements,” said Seedorf.

Rasquinha noted today’s coordinated movements are the culmination of several days of exercise ramping up in intensity. “What we have seen in eleven days is consistent improvement in quality, in efficiency, accountability, and in understanding all with good attitudes,” said Rasquinha.

Further, according to Rasquinha, this exercise is not just for less experienced Sailors. “We are not just training young Sailors. We are training the senior personnel too. If we are not having ‘ah-ha’ moments, then we are failing.”

Navy Cargo Handling Battalions deliver expeditionary logistics capabilities with mobilization-ready Navy Reserve Force Sailors and equipment to combatant commanders in support of the national military strategy, including ordnance and air cargo handling and fuels distribution critical for peacekeeping, crisis response, humanitarian, and combat service support missions.

• Date Taken: 08.20.2018
• Date Posted: 08.23.2018 19:42
• Story ID: 289431
• Location: ALAMEDA, CA, US