CAMP SHELBY, Miss. – Seabees assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 1 completed a field training exercise (FTX) at Camp Shelby, Mississippi, July 20.
The three-week long field exercise is a critical component of the battalion’s Fleet Response Training Plan that combined FTX with a final evaluation problem (FEP). The exercise consists of two components. The first component is FTX, which is a military exercise conducted in the field under simulated war conditions. FTX allows the battalion to train and drill in preparation for FEP. The second component is FEP, which is a performance-based assessment that enables the battalion to demonstrate the ability to perform all capabilities expected in a major combat operations environment. Successful completion of FEP signifies the battalion has completed all basic phase events and meets criteria to perform all capabilities specified in the unit’s required operational capabilities (ROCs) and projected operating environments (POEs). FEP is required for the battalion to progress into the advanced phase of the Fleet Response Training Plan. The combined evolution is required to certify the command as an independent unit ready for tasking.
“FTX is the primary training event in homeport where the entire Naval Mobile Construction Battalion performs together as one team.” said Cmdr. Daniel Schmitt, Commanding Officer of NMCB 1. “All other training in homeport is accomplished with smaller teams, while other competing requirements are going on at the same time. The complexity of FTX demands the entire Battalion mobilize a significant portion of our tools and equipment to the training locations, and use our equipment to perform the engineering and logistics tasks required of Seabees in major combat operations. It truly allows us to ’Train like you Fight’.”
The scenario for the exercise was entitled Exercise Turning Point, which is a drastic change from the Global War on Terror scenario that has been exercised in years past. The Exercise Turning Point scenario is based on the notional Pacific Ocean area of operations (AOR), where the battalion is forced to send multiple Seabee detachments throughout the AOR. Having multiple Seabee detachments spread throughout the AOR enabled the battalion to demonstrate a robust distributive maritime operations capability. NMCB 1 was tasked with providing the full-spectrum of general engineering in support of the task force, enabling freedom of movement and sustainability of operations.
NMCB 1’s mission was to establish a robust command and control and logistics capability in order to perform airfield damage repair, port damage repair, and main supply route repair. NMCB 1’s mission also included several other vertical and horizontal construction tasks, while simultaneously providing the unit’s own security.
Naval Construction Group (NCG) 2 Seabees and staff evaluate each component of training to include safety, environmental, medical, defensive combat tactics, and convoy operations. The NCG 2 staff also evaluated NMCB 1’s proficiency in camp setup, communications, construction, and supply replenishments in the field.
The exercise provides a dynamic atmosphere for more experienced Seabees to impart their knowledge on to junior troops that have not deployed in an expeditionary environment. The exercise also provided a venue for the Seabees to strengthen interoperability with the Marine Corps and other Navy Expeditionary Combat Command Forces. Seabees train to be a task-tailored, adaptable, and combat-ready engineering and construction force that can deploy to support any mission required by a supported commander.
“FTX had plenty of great training scenarios such as immediately switching from normal construction work to supporting a mass casualty event.” said Builder Constructionman Jonathan Fabry.. “It was a great time to learn and see how everyone reacts under a stressful environment. Another benefit was working with the Marines. I was able to compare and contrast our skills with the skills of the Marines. When I was building Southeast Asia Huts with the Marines, they were very skilled in construction and were effective with how they manage their troops. I learned a lot from the Marines.”
“FTX always requires operating in a field environment, but the heat of a July FTX provided an additional challenge, particularly for our Seabees in bivouac conditions at Camp Shelby and Camp Lejeune,” said Schmitt. “Continuous, deliberate monitoring of safety controls to include hydration and electrolyte consumption, access to cooling tents, and work/rest cycles were a focus area. Two additional challenges presented great opportunities to demonstrate our ability to perform in a Distributed Maritime Operations (DMO)/Expeditionary Advanced Base Operations (EABO) environment. First, FTX required the Battalion to manage planning, procurement, acceptance, and delivery of all classes of supply to include construction materials. Second, FTX tasking required approximately 1,200 man-days of construction projects across all 13 subordinate task units (CTU). Both challenges required us to resource level personnel and deliver logistics across a distributed area of operations. This is exactly the type of situation required of DMO/EABO and joint warfighting concepts. FTX provided a fantastic opportunity to assess our readiness to perform in this environment. I was very impressed with our Seabees ability to operate as a team and overcome the challenges presented by the tyranny of distance.”
FTX evolutions are intended to challenge Seabees with scenarios that are realistic and require both precise attention to detail and the ability to make decisions quickly. Like many other Navy Expeditionary Combat Forces, NMCBs manage various small arms weapons systems, operate armored tactical vehicles, and employ civil engineering support equipment to complete construction tasks in non-permissive environments. Exercising these elements at a high operational tempo provides commanders with a sense of the NMCB’s strong points and areas for improvement.
About NMCB 1’s performance in the field, Cmdr. Schmitt stated, “Overall we performed very well at FTX. FTX required the Battalion to perform engineering and logistics capabilities that are required to support DMO and EABO concepts. The assigned tasking required command and control of 13 CTUs across sites in North Carolina, Florida, and Mississippi.” Schmitt also spoke on the interoperability between forces, “It also allowed for excellent interoperability with other units to include Underwater Construction Team ONE divers with NMCB ONE Port Damage Repair team at the Port of Gulfport, NMCB ONE Seabees and USMC 8th Engineering Support Battalion participated in Marine Corps Combat Readiness Evaluation event Summer Pioneer 2022, Marines from Marine Wing Support Squadron 273 (MWSS 273) attached to NMCB ONE’s H&S Company at Camp Shelby, and EOD techs from Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit 6 performed airfield munitions clearance and repair operations with NMCB ONE’s Airfield Damage Repair team and MWSS 273 at Camp Shelby. Every NMCB ONE sailor embodied our “Can Do” attitude and reinforced our command as the First and the Finest.”
Operation Turning Point is an around-the-clock exercise that focuses on constructing advanced bases while maintaining proficiency in tactics and survivability. NMCB ONE is homeported out of Gulfport, Miss. They are conducting an intense Fleet Response Training Plan to expand their ability to execute construction, humanitarian assistance, and theater operations in a distributed maritime environment.
For more information about Seabees and NMCB ONE, visit http://seabeemagazine.navylive.dodlive.mil or https://www.facebook.com/NMCB01/
| Date Taken: | 07.20.2022 |
| Date Posted: | 10.10.2022 10:00 |
| Story ID: | 430471 |
| Location: | US |
| Web Views: | 336 |
| Downloads: | 2 |
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