NMCB 18 Conducts Command Post Exercise

PORT HUENEME, CA, UNITED STATES

07.03.2021

Story by Emily Reiner 

Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 18

PORT HUENEME, Calif. (July 2, 2021)- U.S Naval Construction Battalion (NMCB) 18 completed command post exercise (CPX), bridge exercise (BRIDGEX), and readiness training platform (RTP) on board Naval Base Ventura County, Port Hueneme, July 2nd.
CPX is designed to test the battalion’s command, control, communication, computer and intelligence (C4I), force protection capabilities while conducting construction operations and overall battalion mission readiness in order to support future major combat operations (MCO). Battalion priorities emphasize watch standing capabilities, bridge building operations, chemical, biological and radiological training, licensure, basic lifesaving familiarization, and other company training. It is also considered one of the first steps in a number of exercises conducted to prepare a battalion for Field Training Exercise (FTX) and eventually provide support to various elements via deployment or humanitarian efforts.
After numerous cancelled battalion events due to the novel coronavirus, NMCB 18 was able to get back to business. “Seabees who haven’t worked together or seen each other for months seamlessly came together after intense preparation and operational planning to successfully execute the event,” said Cmdr. Randell Buchanan, NMCB 18’s Commanding Officer. “We were able to bring nearly half the battalion to Port Hueneme to conduct graded exercises including a CPX and medium girder bridge construction along with several classes preparing the battalion for FTX and mobilization.”
Operations were conducted in phases including Phase I: the planning and preparation portion, Phase II: receive, stage, onward movement and integration. Phase III: the exercise and training portion begin, including the BRIDGEX. The last Phase IV: includes the final assessment and command retrospection. Verifying the command’s readiness was Naval Construction Group (NCG) 1, the overall operational control for Seabee West Coast Head Battalion Lead Higher Escalon. Their grading supplies NMCB 18 with an idea of how each department will run and perform during mobilized operations.
According to Buchanan, each department performed their tasks at a proficient level that impressed him and showed that as a battalion, NMCB 18 is an efficient, well-oiled machine.
Before the exercise officially began the active component and supply staff organized numerous events, secured classrooms for various uses, issued gear, and award preparation and continually carried out numerous operational tasking for the duration of CPX. Meanwhile the communications team work diligently with sophisticated radio and IT equipment. The headquarters team controlled operations in the tactical operation center, or the central operational hub, during the exercise.
“I was very impressed with our Communications shop and their ability to stand up and communicate with sophisticated equipment, not having had the opportunity to train in it. Comms is vital, and they crushed it. Tactical Operations Center operations started slow, but by the end were communicating, making decisions, and improved C2 (command and control) to a level that I expect and that we’ll need to succeed,” said Buchanan.

Buchanan also expressed that Alfa company’s ability to operate, maintain our civil engineering support equipment, Bravo company’s set up, maintenance and execution of BRIDGEX was outstanding. He also expressed that admiration for the entire battalion’s leadership and professionalism during this exercise, but the mission doesn’t stop there.
“At the end of the exercise, leadership, communications, C2, defense outperformed my high expectations,” said Buchanan. “However, it’s 12+months to FTX and we need to maintain the improvements we made and continue to perform at even higher levels as the expectations at FTX are great. We had success, but we have a lot yet to do. This exercise proved that it only takes being back at what we love to comeback strong, and that felt incredible. We worked hard, we learned much, we grew as a battalion, but most of all we rekindled, renewed, and build new relationships as Seabees.”
NMCB-18 is home ported in Port Hueneme, California, but has Seabees located at detachments throughout the United States. Seabees are the expeditionary engineering and construction experts of the naval service. They provide task-tailored, adaptable and combat-ready engineering and construction forces that deploy to support Navy objectives globally.

• Date Taken: 07.03.2021
• Date Posted: 08.13.2021 10:32
• Story ID: 401914
• Location: PORT HUENEME, CA, US