EMBARKATION FUNDAMENTALS
1.



NMCB ORGANIZATION MAKEUP
AIR DETATCHMENT
-89 PERSONNEL-1 OFFICER
TAILORED TO SUPPORT MISSION
-34 UNITS OF CESE
-250-300 SHORT TONS OF CARGO
-DEPLOY WITHIN 48 HOURS
-SELF SUFFICIENT FOR 30 DAYS
-REPAIR WAR DAMAGE AND/OR CONSTRUCT URGENT PROJECTS
AIR ECHELON
-648 PERSONNEL
-103 UNITS OF CESE
-1,200-1,250 SHORT TONS OF CARGO
-DEPLOY WITHIN 6 DAYS
-SELF SUFFICIENT FOR 60 DAYS
-MAXIMUM NMCB CAPABILITY/DIVERSITY
SEA ECHELON
-26 PERSONNEL
-REMAINDER OF CESE AND OUTSIZED CESE
-DEPLOY WITHIN 6 DAYS/ARRIVE WITHIN 30 DAYS
-CARGO/EQUIPMENT TO SUSTAIN FOR 90 DAYS
2. MOUNT OUT CONTROL CENTER (MOCC)
 CONTROLS, COORDINATES, AND MONITORS THE MOVEMENT OF ALL
PERSONNEL, SUPPLIES, AND EQUIPMENT TO AN EMBARKATION STAGING AREA.
 ARMED SENTRY POSTED AT DOOR WITH ACCESS LIST, MOCC WATCH OFFICER,
MOCC WATCH CHIEF, EMBARKATION REPRESENTATIVE, ADMINISTRATION
REPRESENTATIVES, MESSENGERS, COMMUNICATION GEAR, STATION WATCH
BILLS, STATUS BOARDS, AND NODE CHARTS.
3. APPLIED TERMS
 ACL: ALOWABLE CABIN/CARGO LOAD
AMOUNT OF PASSENGERS/CARGO THAT MAY BE TRANSPORTED BY A SPECIFIC
AIRCRAFT.
 TALCE: TANKER AIRLIFT CONTROL ELEMENT
SUPPORTS AIRLIFT MISSIONS WHERE COMMAND CONTROL, MISSION
REPORTING, AND/OR SUPPORT FUNCTIONS ARE LIMITED OR DO NOT EXIST.
 MARSHALLING
PROCESS BY WHICH UNITS MOVE EQUIPMENT, CARGO, AND PERSONNEL TO
TEMPORARY STAGING AREA NEAR EMBARKATION POINTS.
 AACG: ARRIVAL AIRFIELD CONTROL GROUP
RESPONSIBLE FOR RECEIVING ALL AIRLIFTED ITEMS, AND MOVEMENT FROM
AIRFIELD TO DEPLOYMENT SITE.
1

DACG: DEPARTURE AIRFIELD CONTROL GROUP
RESPONSIBLE FOR CONTROLLING THE FLOW OF PERSONNEL, CARGO, AND
EQUIPMENT FROM THE MARSHALLING AREA TO THE AIRCRAFT.
4. PREPARING CARGO FOR AIR/SEA MOVEMENT
 CESE: CLEANED, MECHANICLY INSPECTED, REDUCED HIGHTS, MOBILE LOADED,
WEIGHED, MARKED CENTER OF BALANCE, AND STAGED.
 CARGO: INVENTORIED, PALLETIZED ON 463L AIRCRAFT PALLET (AIR) OR 40”X48”
WOOD PALLET (SEA), CONTAINERIZED (IN APPROPRIATE ISO CONTAINER),
WIEGHED, MARKED, AND STAGED.
 463L AIRCRAFT PALLET:
-NAME COMES FROM THE YEAR THEY MADE THE PALLET
4 MONTH OF APRIL
63 YEAR
“L” FOR LOGISTICAL
-DEMINSIONS: EXTERIOR 108X88X2 ¼, USABLE 104X84X2 ¼
-MAX CARGO HEIGHT: 96”
-ALLUMINUM SHELL WITH BALSA WOOD INTERIOR
-ABLE TO BE LOCKED INTO THE AIRCRAFT RAIL SYSTEM
5. AMC ORGANIC AIRCRAFT
 C-130 HERCULES
-TACTICAL AIRCRAFT USED FOR IN-THEATER OPERATIONS, CAN LAND ON MOST
UNIMPROVED AIRSTRIPS.
-PLANNING ACL 25,000 POUNDS
-6 PALLET POSITIONS
 C-141B STARLIFTER
-STATEGIC AIRLIFT USED FOR GLOBAL MOVEMENT
-PLANNING ACL 50,000 POUNDS
-13 PALLET POSITIONS
 C-17 GLOBEMASTER III
-STRATEGIC/TACTICAL AIRCRAFT USED FOR INTER-THEATRE AND IN-THEATRE
TRANSPORT OF TROOPS AND OUTSIZED CARGO
-PLANNING ACL 90,000 POUNDS
-18 PALLOT POSITIONS
 C-5 GALAXY
-GLOBAL STATEGIC AIRCRAFT USED FOR INTER-THEATRE TRANSPORT OF
TROOPS AND OUTSIZED CARGO
-PLANNING ACL 150,000 POUNDS
-36 PALLOT POSITIONS
6. KEY PERSONNEL IN A CONVOY
 CONVOY COMMANDER
-INTIATES, ISSUES, AND ENFORCES MARCH ORDERS
-SUPERVISES MOVEMENT
2






SERIAL COMMANDER
-IN CHARGE OF 20 VEHICLES
-SUPERVISES SERIAL
-ANSWERS TO CONVOY COMMANDER
UNIT COMMANDER
-RESPONSIBLE FOR 10 UNITS OF CESE
ADVANCE OFFICER
-PRECEEDS THE COLUMN
-RECONS THE ROUTE AND SELECTS ALTERNATE ROUTES
-NOTIFIES PROPER AUTHORITIES
-POST TRAFIC PERSONNEL
TRAIL OFFICER
-POST WARNING FLAGS
-PREVENTS INTERFERENCE
-ENFORCE CONVOY DISAPLINE
-COLLECTS TRAFIC CONTROL PERSONNEL
MAINTENANCE OFFICER
-RIDES AT REAR OF CONVOY
-RESPONSIBLE FOR CESE MAINTENANCE
MOVEMENT ACTIVITY CONTROL OFFICER (MACO) AS PER NMCB 7 TACOPS
-RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE MANAFEST AND ENSURING ALL
PERSONNEL IN THE CONVOY ARE ACCOUNTED FOR AT ALL TIMES
7. OTHER CONVOY PERSONNEL
 VEHICLE COMMANDER
-USUALLY A PETTY OFFICER IN CHARGE ALL VEHICLES CARRYING TROOPS
 PACE SETTER
-USUALLY A PETTY OFFICER STAITIONED IN LEAD VEHICLE
 GUIDES
-PERSONNEL POSTED AT CRITICLE INTERSECTIONS WHEN ON NON-TACTICLE
CONVOYS
 ESCORTS
-MILITARY POLICE OR OTHER PERSONNEL FOR A NON-TACTICLE MOVEMENT
-DURING A TACTICLE MOVEMENTS, THE ESCORTS MAY BE ARMED GUARDS,
ARMED AIRCRAFT, INFANTRY, ARMORED UNITS, OR OTHER UNITS AS REQUIRED
TO PROTECT OR ACCOMPANY THE CONVOY.
8. THREE COLOR CLASSIFICATIONS USED TO DETURMINE CONVOY AND ROAD
ROUTES
 GREEN: RELITIVLY SAFE FROM HOSTILE ACTIVITY, CONDITION OF
ROUTE(PHISICLY) IS GOOD
 YELLOW: SUBJECT TO LIMITED ACTIVITY, CONDITION OF ROUTE(PHISICLY) IS
FAIR
 RED: HOSTILE ACTIVITY IS IMMINENT, CONDITION OF ROUTE(PHISICLY) IS
IM-PASSABLE
3
9.



RULES OF CONVOY TRAVEL
30 MPH ON OPEN ROAD
100 FT INTERVAL BETWEEN VEHICLES
SPEED DETEMINED BY SLOWEST VEHICLE IN CONVOY, WEATHER, TERRAIN,
ENEMY ACTIVITY, AND/OR NIGHT OR DAY TRAVEL
10. THE SEVEN DIFFERENT TYPES OF CARGO CONTAINERS USED IN THE NCF FOR
MOVEMENT
 KITS AND MOUNT OUT BOXES
-20” WIDTH X 48” LENGTH
-250 POUNDS PER BOX
 STANDARD TRICON
-6 ½ FEET X 8 FEET X 8 FEET
-COMMONLY USED FOR TOOL AND MATERIAL STORAGE ON THE JOB SITE
 CONFIGURED TRICON
-6 ½ FEET X 8 FEET X 8 FEET
-FITTED WITH SHELVES, RACKS, AND/OR DRAWERS
-COMMONLY USED FOR WEAPONS STORAGE, ARP, CTR, ECT.
 STANDARD 20 FOOT
-8 EET X 8 FEET X 20 FEET
-COMMONLY USED FOR TOOL AND MATERIAL STORAGE ON THE JOB SITE
 CONFIGURED STANDARD 20 FOOT
-8 EET X 8 FEET X 20 FEET
-FITTED WITH SHELVES, RACKS, AND/OR DRAWERS
-COMMONLY USED FOR WEAPONS STORAGE, ARP, CTR, ECT.
 20 FOOT FLAT RACK
-8 EET X 8 FEET X 20 FEET
-OPEN ENDED
-COMMONLY USED TO SHIP LUMBER, PIPE, AND OTHER BUILDING MATERIALS
 20 FOOT HALF HEIGHT
-8 FEET X 4 FEET X 20 FEET
COMMONLY USED TO SHIP 55 GALLON DRUMS
 SIXCON
-6 ½ FEET X 8 FEET X 4 FEET
-USED TO SHIP FUEL AND WATER
-WATER SIXCON WILL HAVE AN INSULATION COATING AND MARKED POTABLE
OR NON-POTABLE WATER ON THE SIDE
-FUEL SIXCON WILL HAVE NO INSULATION COATING AND MARKED WITH
HAZARD WARNING LABELS
4
RAPID RUNWAY REPAIR
1.
What are the five areas of responsibility of the RRR organization?





2.
What is the minimum number of NMCB personnel required for RRR training?




3.
4.

Runway Damage Assessment Team-Five Members
1. Team Leader
2. Recorder
3. Three team members

Facilities Damage Assessment Team-Four Members
1. CE or UT
2. BU or SW
3. Two Public Works personnel
What are the responsibilities of the Damage Assessment Team?

The Damage Assessment Team is responsible for the recording, marking and reporting of all
conditions on the taxiway, parking apron, fueling station, and any other collateral damage
encountered.
All damage and types of hazards are reported directly to the (MOS) selection team.
MOS-Minimum Operating Strip
What items can be found in a Damage Assessment Kit?

6.
72 total personnel
46 Level I
20 Level II
6 Crete mobile
Name the two types of Damage Assessment Teams (DAT) and the minimum numbers for each.

5.
Establish Command Center
Establish Damage assessment teams
Establish communications network
Survey Area
Make Repair
Marking tape
-Non metallic tape measure
-EOR forms (Explosive Ordinance Reconnaissance)
-Maps (scale 1”=100’)

Station

Airfield
What is the difference between a Crater and a Spall?


Crater is larger than 5’ in diameter and penetrates completely through the runway into the sub
base.
Spall is less than 5’ in diameter and does not penetrate completely through the runway.
5
7.
By NATO standards, what is the minimum repair length of a runway?

8.
What are the three types of matting used for airfield repairs?




9.
96’x96’, built of AM2 matting for Harriers and helicopters.
What does the acronym UXO stand for?

12.
Vertical takeoff and landing
What are the dimensions of a VTOL pad and what is it built of?

11.
Folded Fiberglass Matting, used mainly by the Air Force (on runways and taxiways)
Bolted Fiberglass Matting, used mainly by the Marine Corps (on runways and taxiways)
AM2 Matting, used mainly by the Marine Corps (on taxiways and parking aprons)
Seabees train with all three mattings.
What does the acronym VTOL stand for?

10.
5000’
Unexploded Ordinance
How much time does an NMCB have to get a runway operational after an airfield attack?

Four Hours
6
11 GENERAL ORDERS OF A SENTRY
1. To take charge of my post, and all government property within view.
2. To walk my post in a military manner, keeping always on the alert, and observing everything within
sight or hearing.
3. To report all violators of the orders that I am instructed to enforce.
4. To repeat calls from posts more distant from the guard house than my own.
5. To quit my post only when properly relieved.
6. To receive, obey, and pass on to the sentry who relieves me all orders from my commanding officer,
command duty officer, officer of the deck, and officers and petty officers of the watch.
7. To talk to no one except in the line of duty
8. To give the alarm in case of fire or disorder.
9. To call the officer of the deck in any case not covered by instruction.
10. To salute all officers, and all colors and standards not cased.
11. To be especially watchful at night, and during time for challenging, to challenge all persons on or near
my post and to allow no one to pass without proper authority.
6 PARTS TO A FIRE COMMAND
A-Alert
D-Direction
D-Distance
R-Range
A-Assignment
C-Command
12 STEPS TO PLANNING A PATROL
S-study the mission
P-plan the use of time
S-study the terrain
O-organize the patrol
S-select men, weapons, and equipment
I-issue the warning order
C-coordinate
M-make reconnaissance
C-complete the detailed plan
I-issue the Patrol Order
S-supervise, inspect, rehearse, reinspect
E-execute the order
MILITARY ASPECTS OF TERRAIN
K-key terrain features
O-observation and fields of fire
C-cover and concealment
O-obstacles
A-avenues of approach
4 PRINCIPLES OF DEFENSE
S-surprise
S-security
U-unity of command
M-mass
7
3 ESCHELONS OF DEFENSE
Security area
Forward Defensive Area
Reserve Area
6S’s AND T FOR EPW’s
Search
Secure
Segregate
Silence
Safeguard
Speed
Tag
3 DEFENSIVE POSITIONS
Primary
Alternate
Supplementary
5 PARAGRAPH ORDER
S-situation
M-mission
E-execution
A-administration and logistics
C-command and signal
MAP COLORS
Black – cultural / man-made features
Blue – water
Green – vegetation
Brown – terrain features
Red – main roads, special features, enemy positions
FIGHTING – LOAD CARRYING
Items used to make carrying a full load more comfortable.
1. Pistol belt
2. Suspenders
3. Field pack
4. Two ammo pouches
5. Canteen cover
6. First aid kit
7. Entrenching tool and cover
8. Bayonet or K-bar scabbord
BIVOUAC EQUIPMENT
Minimum necessities needed for field living.
1. Canteen and cup
2. First aid pack
3. Entrenching tool and cover
4. Bayonet or K-bar
5. Mess-kit
6. Poncho
7. Shelter half (1 pose, 5 pins, 1 guy line)
8
PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT
Provides personal protection from injury.
1. Hat and mosquito net
2. Helmet and liner
3. Camouflage cover
SPECIAL ISSUE EQUIPMENT
“Extra” comfort
1. Flak jacket
2. Sleeping bag
3. Sleeping mat
4. Cot with Insect bar frame
5. Insect bar
POW INFORMATION
1. Name
2. Rank
3. Social Security Number
4. Date of birth
SALUTE MESSAGE
S-size
A-activity
L-location
U-uniform
T-time
E-equipment
MESSAGE PRIORITIES
Flash (Z) – ASAP
Immediate (O) – 30 min-1 hour
Priority (P) – 1-3 hours
Routine (R) – 3-6 hours
BEADWINDOW EEFI VIOLATIONS (“Roger out”)
Term used to identify an EEFI violation.
“GINGERBREAD”
Warning sent over net to alert operators that hostile forces are attempting to intrude on the net by Imitative
Communications Deceptions (ICD)
COMM RELIABILITY PRECEDENCE
1. Messenger
2. Wire
3. Radio
CBR SIGNS
Red-yellow letters + stripe = gas mines
Yellow-red letters = gas
Blue-red letters = bio
White-black letters = atom
MOPP LEVELS
1. TROUSERS / SMOCK
9
2.
3.
4.
1.
2.
3.
4.
BOOTS
MASK
GLOVES AND HOOD
Enemy capable of CBR attack
Enemy willing to engage CBR attack
Enemy intent (statement)
CBR attack imminent
CBR ACCESSORIES
M-8 paper
M-9 paper – liquid nerve agents G,V
- blister agents H, L
- turns RED
Mk 1 NAAK – atropine
- 2 pam chloride
M291 kit – personal decon powder kit
MCU-2 Chemical Protective Mask
AN/PDR-27 – radiacmeter (gamma, beta)
M12 – Vehicle decon kit
PERSONNEL / EQUIPMENT DECON
1. Individual
2. Hasty
3. Complete
PERSONNEL DECONTAM STATIONS
1. Gross contamination removal
2. Overboots (shuffle pit)
3. Overgarmet removal
4. Overboots and gloves
5. Monitoring
6. Mask removal
7. Mask decontamination
8. Reissue point
13 PERSONNEL REQUIRED…
5 troops to set up and run PDS
5 detailed troops
1 company CBR Officer
1 medic
1 supply person
M8A1 CHEMICAL ALARM
1. M43A1 detector
2. M42 alarm
M8A1 DISTANCES
No more than 150M upwind from flot
No more than 400M from alarm unit
300M in between detectors
5 alarms per detector
(Check wire every 6 hours for cuts/breaks)
TYPES OF CBR SURVEYS
1. Route
2. Point
3. Area
10
7 ESSENTIAL CONVOY PERS/POSITIONS
1. Convoy commander
2. Serial commander
3. Unit commander
4. Advance officer
5. Maintenance officer
6. Trail officer
7. Movement activity control officer (MACO)
3 ECHELONS
(repair war damage construct urgent projects)
1. Air Det
a. 89 Enlisted, 1 Officer
b. 34 units of CESE
c. 250-300 short tons air cargo
d. Deploy within 48 hours
e. Self sufficient for 30 days (except for food, fuel, and ammo)
2. Air Echelon
a. 648 pers.
b. 103 units of CESE
c. 1,200-1250 short tons cargo
d. Deploy within 6 days
3. Sea Echelon
a. 25 pers. (incl. 1 officer)
b. Remainder of CESE and outsized CESE
c. Deploy within 6 days/arrive within 30 days
d. Cargo/equipment to sustain for 90 days.
MOCC
1. Controls, coord., monitors movement of all pers, supplies, and equip. to a staging area.
2. XO directs
3. MOCC is COC during embark
EMBARK
1. 1 Embark CPX during homeport/deploymnt
2. Static load training
3. Emergency deployment readiness exercise
ACL – Allowable cabin load
ALCE – Air Lift Control Element (USAF)
(limited support functions – camp)
MARSHALLING – move to temp camps nearby
AACG – Arrival Airfield Control Group
DACG – Departure Airfield Control Group
3 CATEGORIES EQUIPMENT/CARGO
1. Vehicles
2. Bulk Cargo
3. Unitized Cargo
463L PALLET
1. 88” x 108” x 2 ¼” aluminum
11
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
84” x 104” usable dimension
96” maximum cargo height
290 lbs. (nets 65 lbs.)
10,000 lbs. max (netted load)
7,500 lbs. preferred weight
TYPES OF AIRCRAFT
1. C-130 Hercules - ACL 25K lbs.
2. C-141 Starlifter - ACL 50K lbs.
3. C-17 Globemaster III - ACL 90K lbs.
4. C-5 Galaxy - ACL 150K lbs.
4 TYPES OF SHORING
1. Rolling – tracked vehicles, etc.
2. Parking – stays under wheels, tracks, etc
3. Sleeper – under balloon tires / axles
4. Special – 2 types
a. Dunnage – all pallets required
b. Approach – change angle of ramp.
CARGO CONTAINERS
1. Standard 20’
2. Configured 20’
3. TRICON
4. Configured TRICON
5. Flatrack
6. Half height
7. SIXCON
CONVOY PERSONNEL POSITIONS
(3 divisions)
1. March columns – 30 vehicles
2. Serial columns – 20 vehicles
3. Unit column – 10 vehicles
ROUTE COLORS
1. Green – safe/passable
2. Yellow – Limited hostile activity
3. Red – Hostile activity imminent/route impassable
ENROUTE PROCEDURES
1. 30 MPH on open road
2. Determined by slowest vehicle
3. 100 yard intervals
4. 50 yard intervals (villiages)
5. keep same convoy order
6. 100ft intervals when halted
7. Defensive positions when halted
8. Leave vehicles running until ordered to shut down by CONVOY COMMANDER
9. Remain on road
10. Inspect vehicles at stops
3 TYPES EMPLACEMENTS
1. Hasty/Skirmishers
2. Improved one man fighting position
3. Improved two man fighting position
12
5 AMMO TYPES M224 MORTAR
1. High-explosive
2. White phosphorus
3. Illuminating
4. Training/practice (spotting charge)
5. Training (inert)
5 TYPES OF GRENADES
1. M 67 Fragmentation
2. MK1 Illuminating (25 seconds)
3. ABC-M25A2 riot control
4. AN-M14 Icendiary
6. M15,M34,M8 Smoke
7. M69 Training and practice
4 STEPS IN MOVING TO NEW AREA
1. S-security
2. A-automatic weapons
3. F-fields of fire
4. E-entrenchment
PRIORITIES OF WORK
Secure the area
Automatic/crewserve weapons
Clear fields of fire
Communication
4 STEPS TO EMBARK
1. Marshaling –
Assemble chalks & deliver to Alert Holding Area
2. DACG – alert holding area receives loads-preinspection
3. DACG & ALCE – joint inspection / discrepancy corrections / call forward
4. ALCE – ready line / loading ramp: Briefings and inspections, loading and restraining
MANUALS GOVERNING HAZ CARGO
1. AR 55-355 – explosives (Army)
2. NAVSUP PUB 505 – airlift requirements
3. DD-1387-2 – Special handling cert. Form
4. NCB INST 3120 – Brigade Embark List
5. 49 CFR – DOT regulates in CONUS
MINOR PROPERTY
$300-5000
$5000 or greater if life expect less than 2 years
PLANT PROPERTY – 2 TYPES
(all Navy owned property >$5000.)
Class 3 - $5000 or more, more than 2 years
Class 4 – Industrial plant equipment
NAVSUP MODIFIERS
MOD 98 – parts peculiar – spec. make/model
MOD 97 – Parts common – general RRR items
MOD 96 – small version of MOD 97 – air det
13
SUPPLY DOCUMENTS
DD1348 – Tracer action on shipments
- Requisition follow up / CANX
- Milstrip requisitioning form
DD1149 – Requisition invoice/ shipping doc.
- Container surface shipment / unaccompanied baggage
- Requisition of services
- Matl procurement not MILSTRIP
ROD SF 364 – Item came in damaged,
Expired shelf life,
Cost of correction is > $50
Line item worth > $100
QDR SF 368 – Item damaged, which is dangerous to life, equip, unsafe
CESE MANUALS
NAVFAC P-300
-Management of Transportation Equip
(admin, ops, maint, + trans equip.)
NAVFAC P-404
-Equipment Management Manual
-(criteria, policies, procedures)
COMSECOND/THIRDCBINST 11200.1
-Red Book
-Policies + Procedures for CESE
CASEMIS
-Const. Automotive Special Equip.
Management Info. System
-Computer prog. For management of
CESE- maintained by CESE
- List of equip @ ea. Deploy. Site
NAVFAC P-306
-Testing and Licensing of all equip.
NAVFAC P-307
-Manag. Of WHE Maint + Certification
49CFR 173.2 – regulates hazmat handling
40CFR 261 – regulates hazwaste
MAGTF 4 ELEMENTS
1. Ground Combat Element
2. Air Combat Element
3. Combat Service Support Element
4. Command Element
PHIBCB’S
450 personnel
engineering support to Naval Beach Group
maintain CESE assigned to group
CBU
Flt. Hospital support / augment NMCB
CBMU
Maintain and operate advance bases
14
UCT
Survey sea bottom to select sites
Construct, maintain, repair underwater facilities
NCFSU
Support 4 NMCB’s
Long haul trans. Equip.
Plant ops & maint.
Rock crusher, asphalt plants, concrete,
Specialized repair or overhaul
Inventory management of construction materials
ENLISTED SERVICE RECORDS (RIGHT)
SGLI
pg.1
Dependents
pg.2
ASVAB
pg.3
Quals
pg.4
History
pg.5
NJP
pg.13
MPF–MARITIME PREPOSITIONING FORCE.
Transports containerized cargo, vehicles, bulk fuel/water transfer systems, const. Material
-Versitile barge ferry system from naval and contract merchant ships. Ferry carried by side-load or well
deck method.
DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER
805 KIDDER BREESE SE -- WASHINGTON NAVY YARD
WASHINGTON DC 20374-5060
Seabee History: Introduction
The Seabees of the United States Navy were born in the dark days following Pearl
Harbor when the task of building victory from defeat seemed almost insurmountable. The
Seabees were created in answer to a crucial demand for builders who could fight.
15
Using sailors to build shore-based facilities; however, was not a new idea. Ancient
Egyptians, Phoenicians, Greeks, and Romans did it. In more recent times, from the
earliest days of the United States Navy, sailors who were handy with tools occasionally
did minor construction chores at land bases.
THE FIRST "ADVANCED BASE"
American seamen were first employed in large numbers for major shore construction
during the War of 1812. Early in 1813, the USS ESSEX, under the Command of Captain
David Porter, USN, rounded Cape Horn and became the first Navy ship to carry the
American flag into the Pacific Ocean. The ESSEX began operating in Pacific waters and
captured a British commerce raider, several British merchantmen, and several large
British whaling ships. While sailing near the Galapagos Islands in October, 1813, Captain
Porter learned that a British naval squadron had entered the Pacific and was searching for
him. Because he had been away from his home base for well over a year, Porter decided
to prepare his small squadron for the expected battle. To do this, he needed a safe harbor
in which to repair and re-equip the ESSEX and some of his prizes that had been
converted into fighting ships. In the absence of secure facilities on South America's west
coast, he decided to take his ships to the Marquesas Islands. After sailing through the
Marquesas for a few days, he selected the shore of a bay on Nukuhiva Island as the best
site for constructing the United States Navy's first advanced base.
Under Captain Porter's direction, nearly 300 skilled artisans from his ships undertook the
building of the base. Approximately 4,000 friendly natives obtained the materials and
worked side-by-side with the Navy builders. As a protection against unfriendly tribes, the
men built a fort, which was duly christened Fort Madison with the ceremonious raising of
the American flag. Other construction included a house for Porter, a house for the other
officers, a cooper's shop, a sail loft, a bake shop, a guard house, a simple medical
dispensary, a stores building, an open-shed shelter for the Marine sentries, a rudimentary
dock, and ramps to haul the ships high onto the beach. While this construction was
underway, some unfriendly natives occasionally attacked, and the Americans had to lay
down their tools, take up their weapons, and defend what they were building.
Captain Porter's foster son, David Glasgow Farragut, a twelve year-old midshipman
assigned to the ESSEX, was an interested observer and a participant in the construction
of the base. When the Typee natives began to attack the base, young Farragut was ashore.
Alarmed at the possible early demise of his foster son, Porter hustled him back aboard the
ESSEX for safekeeping.
During lulls in the fighting and while construction was underway, Farragut was allowed
to go ashore and participate in the operations. However, at the first signs of trouble with
the unfriendly tribes, back to the ESSEX or the SIR ANDREW HAMMOND he went.
Even after he became the United States Navy's first admiral some forty years later,
Farragut was still bemoaning his ill luck in not being allowed to engage in active battle at
Nukuhiva.
Upon its completion, the Navy's first base was named "Madison's Ville," and Nukuhiva
Island was named "Madison Island," and the adjoining waters were named
"Massachusetts Bay." Porter went so far as to claim the island as a United States
possession. In the entire proceedings, he conveniently ignored Spanish and British claims
going back respectively to the sixteenth and eighteenth centuries.
16
Even before construction of the base was completed, the ESSEX and ESSEX JUNIOR
were hauled up the improvised ramps to the top of the beach. The site selected for
rehabilitating the ships was a small plain covered with shade-producing coconut trees.
Re-outfitting and repair operations started toward the end of October 1813 and continued
until the work was completed early in December. Meanwhile, the other ships were
serviced while at anchor in the harbor. During the entire period, hostile natives frequently
attacked the workers, who, although sometimes hard pressed, always managed to repel
them.
Upon completion of the project in December 1813, Captain Porter immediately sailed
with the ESSEX and ESSEX JUNIOR and eventually met the British squadron. His two
ships were bottled up in Valparaiso Harbor, Chile, and attempts to break the blockade led
to the capture of the American ships in March 1814. Porter and his men thus became
prisoners of the British.
In the meantime, Lieutenant John M. Gamble of the U.S. Marine Corps was left behind at
Nukuhiva Island to defend the advanced base and the remaining three prize ships. For
this task, he had but 22 American officers and men and some sullen British prisoners.
Gamble's assignment proved to be beyond the capabilities of his force. Several thousand
native Typees began a series of attacks against Fort Madison and Madison's Ville, the
British prisoners mutinied, and even four Americans deserted for the sake of native
sweethearts. The gallant Marine officer and his men were about to be overwhelmed, and
they knew it. Consequently, all hands were shifted to the most seaworthy prize, the SIR
ANDREW HAMMOND. A final native attack was repelled with further casualties, and
the ship got underway in May 1814, with no charts and a seven-man crew almost too
feeble to sail. The United States Navy's first advanced base was thus abandoned through
necessity, and certainly not because of the "construction force's" lack of fortitude and
valor.
After a voyage of nearly 2,500 miles, Lieutenant Gamble and his surviving crew of three
seamen and three Marines arrived in the Sandwich Islands. They landed and immediately
discovered that their tribulations were not yet ended. HMS CHERUB was in the harbor,
and the Americans fell into the hands of the British. Ironically, this was the same ship
which had earlier captured Captain Porter and his men at Valparaiso.
Although they may seem remote from the Seabees of today, the Navy's operations in the
Marquesas Islands really are pertinent because precedents were set. First, a requirement
was established for an overseas naval construction force. Then skilled craftsmen of the
fleet were selected in large numbers to man the force. The men built a U.S. Navy
advanced base. Finally, the builders were attacked by hostile natives, and had to lay down
their tools and take up arms to defend what they had built. Essentially, these same
functions characterize today's Seabee builder-fighters.
TWELFTH REGIMENT (PUBLIC WORKS)
Skilled Navy craftsmen were not again employed in large numbers for naval shore
construction activities until the period of the First World War. In 1917 the Twelfth
Regiment (Public Works) was organized at the Naval Training Station, Great Lakes,
Illinois. The development of the regiment was an evolutionary process under the
direction of three successive Public Works Officers.
With the entry of the United States into the First World War in April 1917, an immediate
requirement was established at Great Lakes for facilities to house, process, and train
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20,000 naval recruits. By the end of 1917, the expansion of the war had increased the
requirement, and facilities were needed to handle 50,000 recruits.
The naval officer responsible administrative and training operations at Great Lakes was
the commandant of the station, Captain William Moffet, USN. When the initial
requirement was levied, Captain Moffet did not have sufficient funds at hand to construct
the facilities. He therefore went to Washington, D.C., and conferred with the Secretary of
the Navy, Josephus Daniels, and with the Chief of the Bureau of Yards and Docks, Rear
Admiral Frederic Harris, CEC, USN. These two officials, controllers of the immediate
purse strings for naval construction activity, quickly agreed to release sufficient funds for
the initial increment of construction. Admiral Harris, however, pointed out to Captain
Moffet that a young officer of the line was in charge of the Public Works Department,
and he suggested that a Navy Civil Engineer Corps officer should be appointed to
manage the department. Captain Moffet readily agreed to this proposal.
Accordingly, Lieutenant Norman M. Smith, CEC, USN, a graduate of the United States
Naval Academy and a one-time officer of the line who had transferred to the Civil
Engineer Corps, was appointed Public Works Officer at Great Lakes. He assumed the
post on 18 June 1917. At this time, about 100 enlisted men already were assigned to the
Public Works Department.
Although most of the major construction work was to be accomplished by civilian
contractors, Lieutenant Smith foresaw that the department would have to be expanded.
Skilled craftsmen, architects, draftsmen, designers, and other professional and technical
people were needed. Because civilians with the requisite skills were difficult to find, he
decided to screen incoming recruits to obtain skilled craftsmen. He found many, but not
enough.
Lieutenant Smith then began recruiting among civilians outside of the installation, but
because of commuting problems, qualified local craftsmen were unwilling to become
civilian employees. As a patriotic duty, however, many were willing to join the Navy as
petty officers with the understanding that qualified men could apply later for
commissions. Captain Moffett approved this proviso, and it greatly facilitated recruiting.
As a result of recruit screening and civilian recruiting, nearly 600 men were obtained for
the Public Works Department by July 1917. These men were organized into the Twelfth
Regiment (Public Works). Essentially, the Public Works Regiment was the Public Works
Department. Because in those days staff officers could not exercise military command, a
young officer of the line, Lieutenant William C. Davis, USN, was appointed commanding
officer of the regiment, and he served in that capacity throughout its existence. He
exercised military control, but the Public Works Officers exercised technical control.
Since Lieutenant Davis was, in fact, a subordinate of the respective Public Works
Officers, there was never any real conflict between military and technical control.
The regiment was a training as well as a working organization. The purpose of the
training was not necessarily to teach the artificer trades to "green" men. Rather it was to
assemble artificers, discover the abilities of each, select the natural leaders, and teach
them military drill and discipline. The intent was to have these men ready at all times for
transfer to other naval stations or naval bases in the United States and abroad, and to
fighting ships. The average time the men were retained at Great Lakes was from three to
four months, during which period they were used effectively to perform public works
functions.
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Briefly, the Twelfth Regiment (Public Works) drew the plans for the Great Lakes
wartime expansion, down to the minutest detail; and supervised all construction, whether
done by civilian contractors or by enlisted men. It saw to the maintenance of buildings,
grounds, roads, and railway; and operated the power house, heating systems, water
supply, and sewage disposal. It also operated carpenter, machine, and paint shops. To
accomplish the maintenance and minor construction, detachments from the regiment
were assigned to all the camps at the Great Lakes Naval Training Station.
The construction of the numerous recruit training camps at Great Lakes was mainly done
by contractors and their employees. Camp Paul Jones was, however, assigned to the
Public Works Regiment, and the men of the regiment turned a temporary tent camp into a
semipermanent facility. The major work at this regimental camp began in October 1917,
and it was substantially completed by the end of the year.
On 30 December 1917 the regiment became "fully operational" at Camp Paul Jones with
1,500 men, organized into three battalions.
Meanwhile, in the summer of 1917, Commander George A. McKay, CEC, USN, became
Public Works Officer at Great Lakes. Lieutenant Smith remained as his deputy for a few
months, and upon being promoted to lieutenant commander, departed for an assignment
as Public Works Officer at the Charleston Navy Yard in South Carolina.
On 30 January 1918 Commander McKay, in turn, was succeeded by Commander Walter
Allen, CEC, USN. The new Public Works Officer surveyed and analyzed his department
and decided that the organization was too cumbersome. He, therefore, reorganized both
the department and the Public Works Regiment, which by April 1918 consisted of 2,400
men in five battalions.
Throughout the latter part of 1917 and all of 1918, men were withdrawn from the
regiment for assignment in the United States and abroad. In the spring of 1918, 100 men
were given special training in mechanics and ordnance, and then sent to St. Nazaire in
France to assemble the famous Naval Railway Batteries. They joined the operational guncrews and performed combat duties along the railway lines in proximity to the German
lines.
Another 350 skilled men from the Public Works Regiment were selected and sent to
France. Landing at the ports of Le Havre and Cherbourg, they were retained in those
areas to build and rehabilitate docks and wharves, lay railroad tracks, and build
communication facilities. On one occasion, a team of men from this group went into Paris
and converted the Eiffel Tower into an antenna for a "Marconi wireless transmitting
station."
In the summer of 1918, Captain Allen selected another complement of 200 men, who
went to France and constructed air bases along the coast.
During the autumn of 1918, training operations at the Great Lakes Naval Training Station
reached a peak to satisfy the requirements of ships and bases in the United States and
abroad. By the end of October more than 125,000 recruits had undergone training since
the U.S. Navy build up began in March and April of 1917. This expansion of training and
facilities, in turn, required a similar expansion in the strength of the Public Works
Department and the Twelfth Regiment. The peak strength of the regiment was reached on
5 November 1918. Its comprised 55 officers and 6,211 enlisted men, formed into 11
battalions.
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When the First World War ended on 11 November 1918, training and construction
operations at Great Lakes ceased. The regiment gradually faded away by the end of 1918.
The war was over but not the memories.
An important aspect of the Twelfth Regiment (Public Works) was its unofficial status. At
no time was it considered an official U.S. Navy unit. It was merely the creature of the
commandant of the Great Lakes Naval Training Station. It was organized and developed
by three successive Public Works Officers, and owed its existence solely to the
administrative, operational, and training needs of the Public Works Department.
Efficiency was the keynote of its existence.
PLANNING BETWEEN THE TWO WORLD WARS
Although the Twelfth Regiment (Public Works) was dissolved in the general
demobilization that followed the end of the First World War, the germ of the pioneering
idea remained in the minds of many Navy Civil Engineers. Sometime during the early
1930s, for example, the planners of the Bureau of Yards and Docks began providing for
"Navy Construction Battalions" in the bureau's contingency war plans. Unfortunately, the
identity of the creator of the term went unrecorded. During the decade the successive
heads of the bureau's War Plans Office were Captain George McKay, CEC, USN;
Captain Carl Carlson, CEC, USN; and Captain Walter Allen, CEC, USN.
In 1934 Captain Carlson's version of the plans was circulated to the Navy Yards, and
later the Chief of Naval Operations tentatively approved the concept of "Navy
Construction Battalions". In 1935 Rear Admiral Norman Smith, CEC, USN, Chief of the
Bureau of Yards and Docks, selected Captain Walter Allen, his War Plans Officer, to
represent the bureau on the War Plans Board, the supreme agency for all aspects of
national war planning. Captain Allen ably presented the bureau's concept of "Naval
Construction Battalions" to the War Plans Board. The concept was subsequently adopted
for inclusion in the national Rainbow war plans that were developed during the last half
of the 1930s.
All this may sound more imposing than it really was. From the practical point of view,
the plans actually contained only an idea and a name. Implementing details and
procedures were inadequate and unworkable. The great weakness of the "Navy
Construction Battalions" concept, indeed the fatal flaw, was the provision for dual control
of the battalions: military control to be exercised by Navy officers of the line, and
construction control to be exercised by Navy Civil Engineer Corps officers. There were
no provisions for good military organization and military training for the battalions,
which were requisites necessary to create high morale, discipline, and cooperation among
the men. Moreover, the original plans contemplated the formation of battalions to
construct training stations throughout the United States, an obvious throwback to the
Twelfth Regiment (Public Works). On completion of the training stations, the battalions
would move to forward areas.
Moreover, the war plans provided only for construction battalions with limited
operational duties; no other types of units or expanded duties were included. This
oversight narrowed the scope of possible activities. Finally, no provisions were provided
for recruiting, enlisting, training and developing training facilities for the enlisted
personnel of the construction battalions.
20
When war finally came, most of the provisions of these plans would have to be
shelved. Workable and more pertinent and practical procedures were developed
in their place.
Meanwhile, Rear Admiral Ben Moreell, CEC, USN, became Chief of the Bureau
of Yards and Docks in December 1937. It was a time of international crisis and
rivalry in both Europe and Asia. In the late 1930s the tense international situation
brought quick authorization from the United States Congress to expand naval
shore activities. The new construction, started in the Caribbean and Central
Pacific in 1939, followed the customary peacetime pattern: contracts were
awarded to private construction firms that performed the work with civilian
personnel, under the administrative direction of Navy Officers in Charge of
Construction.
By the summer of 1941, large naval bases were under construction at Guam,
Midway, Wake, Pearl Harbor, Iceland, Newfoundland, Bermuda, Trinidad, and at
many other places. To facilitate the work, the Bureau of Yards and Docks
decided to organize military Headquarters Construction Companies. Under the
immediate control of the Officers in Charge of Construction at the bases, the men
of the companies were to be utilized as draftsmen and engineering aids and for
administrative duties as inspectors and supervisors to oversee the work of the
civilian construction contractors. The companies, each consisting of two officers
and 99 enlisted men, were not to do any actual construction work.
On 31 October 1941 the Chief of the Bureau of Navigation, Rear Admiral Chester
W. Nimitz, USN, authorized the establishment of the first Headquarters
Construction Company and the enlistment of its men. The men were recruited in
November. By the beginning of December 1941, the company was formed and
the men were undergoing boot training at the Newport Naval Station in Rhode
Island. On 16 December 1941, four additional companies were authorized. By
then, however, events had outstripped planning, and all the men recruited under
this authority would be used for loftier purposes.
Seabee History: Formation of the Seabees and World War II
After the 7 December 1941 Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and the United States entry
into the war, the use of civilian labor in war zones became impractical. Under
international law civilians were not permitted to resist enemy military attack. Resistance
meant summary execution as guerrillas.
The need for a militarized Naval Construction Force to build advance bases in
the war zone was self-evident. Therefore, Rear Admiral Ben Moreell determined
to activate, organize, and man Navy construction units. On 28 December 1941,
he requested specific authority to carry out this decision, and on 5 January 1942,
he gained authority from the Bureau of Navigation to recruit men from the
construction trades for assignment to a Naval Construction Regiment composed
of three Naval Construction Battalions. This is the actual beginning of the
renowned Seabees, who obtained their designation from the initial letters of
21
Construction Battalion. Admiral Moreell personally furnished them with their
official motto: Construimus, Batuimus -- "We Build, We Fight."
An urgent problem confronting the Bureau of Yards and Docks was who should
command the construction battalions. By Navy regulations, military command of
naval personnel was limited to line officers. Yet it was deemed essential that the
newly established construction battalions should be commanded by officers of
the Civil Engineer Corps who were trained in the skills required for the
performance of construction work. The bureau proposed that the necessary
command authority should be bestowed on its Civil Engineer Corps officers.
However, the Bureau of Naval Personnel (successor to the Bureau of Navigation)
strongly objected to this proposal.
Despite this opposition, Admiral Moreell personally presented the question to the
Secretary of the Navy. On 19 March 1942, after due deliberation, the Secretary
gave authority for officers of the Civil Engineer Corps to exercise military
authority over all officers and enlisted men assigned to construction units. The
Secretary's decision, which was incorporated in Navy regulations, removed a
major roadblock in the conduct of Seabee operations. Of equal importance, it
constituted a very significant morale booster for Civil Engineer Corps officers
because it provided a lawful command authority status that tied them intimately
into combat operations, the primary reason for the existence of any military force.
From all points of view, Admiral Moreell's success in achieving this end
contributed ultimately to the great success and fame of the Seabees.
With authorization to establish construction battalions at hand and the question of
who was to command the Seabees settled, the Bureau of Yards and Docks was
confronted with the problem of recruiting, enlisting, and training Seabees, and
then organizing the battalions and logistically supporting them in their operations.
Plans for accomplishing these tasks were not available. Workable Plans were
quickly developed, however, and because of the exigencies of the war much
improvising was done.
The first Seabees were not raw recruits when they voluntarily enlisted. Emphasis
in recruiting them was placed on experience and skill, so all they had to do was
adapt their civilian construction skills to military needs. To obtain men with the
necessary qualifications, physical standards were less rigid than in other
branches of the armed forces. The age range for enlistment was 18-50, but after
the formation of the initial battalions, it was discovered that several men past 60
had managed to join up, clearly an early manifestation of Seabee ingenuity.
During the early days of the war, the average age of Seabees was 37. After
December 1942 voluntary enlistments were halted by orders of President
Franklin D. Roosevelt, and men for the construction battalions had to be obtained
through the Selective Service System. Henceforward, Seabees were on average
22
much younger and came into the service with only rudimentary skills.
The first recruits were the men who had helped to build Boulder Dam, the
national highways, and New York's skyscrapers; who had worked in the mines
and quarries and dug the subway tunnels; who had worked in shipyards and built
docks and wharfs and even ocean liners and aircraft carriers. By the end of the
war, 325,000 such men had enlisted in the Seabees. They knew more than 60
skilled trades, not to mention the unofficial ones of souvenir making and
"moonlight procurement." Nearly 11,400 officers joined the Civil Engineer Corps
during the war, and 7,960 of them served with the Seabees.
At Naval Construction Training Centers and Advanced Base Depots established
on the Atlantic and Pacific coasts, Seabees were taught military discipline and
the use of light arms. Although technically support troops, Seabees at work,
particularly during the early days of base development in the Pacific, frequently
found themselves in conflict with the enemy.
After completing three weeks of boot training at Camp Allen, and later at its
successor, Camp Peary, both in Virginia, the Seabees were formed into
construction battalions or other types of construction units. Some of the very first
battalions were sent overseas immediately upon completion of boot training
because of the urgent need for naval construction. The usual procedure,
however, was to ship the newly- formed battalion to an Advanced Base Depot at
either Davisville, Rhode Island, or Port Hueneme, California. There the
battalions, and later other units, underwent staging and outfitting. The Seabees
received about six weeks of advanced military and technical training, underwent
considerable unit training, and then were shipped to an overseas assignment.
About 175,000 Seabees were staged directly through Port Hueneme during the
war.
As the war proceeded, battle-weary construction battalions and other units in the
Pacific were returned to the United States to the Construction Battalion
Recuperation and Replacement Center at Camp Parks, Shoemaker, California.
At Camp Parks, battalions were reformed and reorganized, or as was the case in
several instances, the battalions were simply disestablished and the men
assigned to other battalions. Seabees were given 30-day leaves and also plenty
of time for rest and recuperation. Eligible men were frequently discharged at
Camp Parks. On a much smaller scale, the Advance Base Receiving Barracks at
Davisville, Rhode Island, performed similar functions for Atlantic battalions.
The construction battalion, the fundamental unit of the Seabee organization,
comprised four companies that included the necessary construction skills for
23
doing any job, plus a headquarters company consisting of medical and dental
professionals and technicians, administrative personnel, storekeepers, cooks,
and similar specialists. The complement of a standard battalion originally was set
at 32 officers and 1,073 men, but from time to time the complement varied in
number.
As the war progressed and construction projects became larger and more
complex, more than one battalion frequently had to be assigned to a base. For
efficient administrative control, these battalions were organized into a regiment,
and when necessary, two or more regiments were organized into a brigade, and
as required, two or more brigades were organized into a naval construction force.
For example, 55,000 Seabees were assigned to Okinawa and the battalions
were organized into 11 regiments and 4 brigades, which, in turn, were all under
the command of the Commander, Construction Troops, who was a Navy Civil
Engineer Corps officer, Commodore Andrew G. Bisset. Moreover, his command
also included 45,000 United States Army engineers, aviation engineers, and a
few British engineers. He therefore commanded 100,000 construction troops in
all, the largest concentration of construction troops during the entire war.
Although the Seabees began with the formation of regular construction battalions
only, the Bureau of Yards and Docks soon realized the need for special-purpose
units. While the battalion itself was versatile enough to handle almost any project,
it would have been a wasteful use of men to assign a full battalion to a project
that could be done equally well by a smaller group of specialists.
The first departure from the standard battalion was the special construction
battalion, or as it was commonly known, the Seabee Special. These special
battalions were composed of stevedores and longshoremen who were badly
needed to break a bottleneck in the unloading of ships in combat zones. Their
officers, drawn largely from the Merchant Marine and personnel of stevedoring
companies, were commissioned in the Civil Engineer Corps. The enlisted men
were trained practically from scratch, and the efficiency of their training was
demonstrated by the fact that cargo handling in combat zones compared
favorably to that in the most efficient ports in the United States.
Another smaller, specialized unit within the Seabee organization was the
construction battalion maintenance unit, which was about one-quarter the size of
a regular construction battalion. It was organized to take over the maintenance of
a base after a regular battalion had completed construction and moved on to its
next assignment.
Still another specialized Seabee unit was the construction battalion detachment,
ranging in size from 6 to 600 men, depending on the specialized nature of its
24
function. These detachments did everything from operating tire-repair shops to
dredges. A principal use for them, however, was the handling, assembling,
launching, and placing of pontoon causeways.
Additional specialized units were the motor trucking battalions, the pontoon
assembly detachments that manufactured pontoons in forward areas, and
petroleum detachments comprised of experts in the installation of pipelines and
petroleum facilities.
In the Second World War, the Seabees were organized into 151 regular
construction battalions, 39 special construction battalions, 164 construction
battalion detachments, 136 construction battalion maintenance units, 5 pontoon
assembly detachments, 54 regiments, 12 brigades, and under various
designations, 5 naval construction forces.
SEABEE ROADS TO VICTORY IN THE SECOND WORLD WAR
During the Second World War, the Seabees performed now legendary deeds in
both the Atlantic and Pacific Theaters of Operation. At a cost of nearly $11 billion
and many casualties, they constructed over 400 advanced bases along five
figurative roads to victory which all had their beginnings in the continental United
States. The South Atlantic road wound through the Caribbean Sea to Africa,
Sicily, and up the Italian peninsula. The North Atlantic road passed through
Newfoundland to Iceland, Great Britain, France, and Germany. The North Pacific
road passed through Alaska and along the Aleutian island chain. The Central
Pacific road passed through the Hawaiian, Marshall, Gilbert, Mariana, and
Ryukyu Islands. The South Pacific road went through the South Sea islands to
Samoa, the Solomons, New Guinea, and the Philippine's. All the Pacific roads
converged on Japan and the Asiatic mainland.
SEABEES IN THE ATLANTIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS
Along the Atlantic front, the Seabees helped forge two roads to victory. From
tropical Caribbean climes to the ultimate destination of Germany, they played a
crucial role in initially opening and later maintaining bases of critical importance
to the war effort.
On the South Atlantic road to victory, Seabee contributions in the Caribbean,
Central America, and South America were the first of many milestones. When the
United States found itself enmeshed in a two ocean war, the Panama Canal
suddenly became the most strategic point on the globe. The convergence of
naval and merchant fleet traffic at this point offered German U-boats a vital and
tempting target. As a result, it became necessary to ring the canal's ocean
25
approaches with protective bases.
Agreements with the governments of Caribbean, Central American, and South
American countries made it possible to secure sites for new bases throughout
the area. The Lend Lease Agreement, consummated with Great Britain in
September of 1940, yielded still other possible bases in this crucial locale.
Not only were new base sites rapidly acquired, but United States bases already
in existence were enlarged. Under the Greenslade Program of 1940, the three
pre-1939 naval installations located in Puerto Rico, Cuba, and the Panama Canal
Zone were all expanded. The construction program undertaken in Puerto Rico
was perhaps the most ambitious. The Naval Station at Roosevelt Roads, seat of
the Tenth Naval District, was developed into an installation of major proportions.
It was so enlarged that it became known as the "Pearl Harbor of the Caribbean."
Most of the construction on existing, as well as on the newly established
Caribbean, Central American, and South American bases, was carried out by
civilian contractors. By late 1943, however, the Seabees had arrived in these
southern reaches to complete unfinished construction jobs and keep this vast,
naval network in smooth, technical operation. Along the Atlantic coastal regions,
these bases formed a barrier from Bermuda to beyond the Brazilian bulge. On
the Pacific side of the Americas, United States bases stretched from Honduras to
Ecuador. Seaplanes, patrol bombers, blimps, and surface craft operating out of
the new and enlarged harbors and airfields hunted down and destroyed roving
enemy submarines.
At the big Carlsen airfield on Trinidad, Naval Construction Battalion 80 paved
runways and built a giant blimp hangar. Naval Construction Battalion 83 helped
cut an eight-mile, S-curved highway up Trinidad's jungled mountain slopes.
Beginning at the sea level town of Port of Spain and climbing to a height of 1,300
feet, the construction of this road required that the Seabees move one million
cubic yards of earth and rock.
On the Galapagos Islands off Ecuador, Naval Construction Battalion Detachment
1012 outfitted a seaplane base with tank farms, pontoon piers, and a water
system. Once this mission had been successfully accomplished, the detachment
moved to Salinas on the Ecuadorian main- land. There they completed the
southernmost seaplane base of the crucial Pacific sea patrol arc.
More often than not, however, the construction battalions, detachments, and
maintenance units that served in these areas manned bases already completed.
Although far from the receding fronts of war, their tours of duty were,
26
nonetheless, exacting and important.
From the Caribbean and the Americas, the South Atlantic victory road led to
North Africa where the Seabees faced combat for the first time in the Atlantic
Theater of Operations. After landing with American assault forces on 7
November 1942, they proceeded to rapidly construct military facilities at Oran,
Casablanca, Safi and Fedala. Later, while the Allied armies moved toward
Tunisia and their final showdown with the Afrika Korps, the Seabees built a string
of staging and training areas along the northern coast. Also active on the west
coast of Africa, they constructed a huge naval air station at Port Lyautey,
Morocco.
After the Allies had driven the Axis forces out of Tunisia, the Seabees began a
large scale buildup at their new base in Bizerte. There they prepared a new
weapon of war, the steel pontoon, that was to be used for the first time on the
invasion beaches of Sicily. Actually, pontoons were not new to naval warfare.
Xerxes had used such devices to cross the Hellespont when he invaded Greece
in the 5th Century B.C. The Seabees, however, had added some new
innovations and cleverly adapted them to the requirements of modern
amphibious warfare. The classic pontoons were standardized in size and fitted
with special tackle so that they could be quickly assembled to form causeways,
piers, and other structures. As a result, these versatile "magic boxes" could be
used to meet the exigencies of any number of situations.
The beaches of Sicily had previously been considered by both the Allies and Axis
as an impossible site for a major amphibious landing. Nevertheless, with help of
the Seabees and their new pontoons, the Allies were able to carry off a surprise
attack on the weakly defended Sicilian beaches. The enemy was quickly
outflanked and overpowered as large numbers of men and huge amounts of
equipment poured ashore over pontoon causeways with a minimum of casualties
and delay. Thus, the Seabees were instrumental in spelling the beginning of the
end for the southern stronghold of the Axis.
These same landing techniques were later used at Salerno and Anzio on the
Italian mainland. Unfortunately, the Germans had learned their lesson from the
Sicilian debacle, and this time they were lying in wait. It was in the face of fierce
resistance and heavy bombardment that the Allies suffered heavy casualties as
they stormed ashore at both Salerno and Anzio, and the Seabees absorbed their
share of the casualties. At Anzio the situation was particularly desperate. Anzio
had been a diversionary landing behind enemy lines and, when the Germans
staged a massive counterattack, the defenders were in critical danger of being
pushed back into the sea. It was the Seabees' task to keep essential supplies
and ammunition moving across their pontoon causeways to the struggling forces
on their precarious beachhead. Only with their vital assistance were the Allies
27
able to turn the tide of battle and push inland in the wake of the slowly retreating
Germans. For many months, however, the Seabees remained at Anzio and,
under continuous German bombardment, built cargo handling facilities, unloaded
tank landing ships, and kept supplies moving to the front. German resistance in
Southern Italy finally collapsed and Rome was taken on 4 June 1943. Even so,
the Seabees had one more task in the Mediterranean, the invasion of Southern
France through Toulon. While this was a relatively important job, it was eclipsed
by the much bigger assignment they were handed on the North Atlantic road to
victory, the Normandy invasion.
Although Seabee accomplishments on the North Atlantic road eventually
culminated in the Normandy invasion, operations in that area had begun as early
as March of 1942.
The Seabees were first used on construction projects in Iceland, Newfoundland,
and Greenland at bases previously acquired by treaty from Great Britain.
Seabees in Newfoundland helped construct a huge naval air station and naval
base at Argentia. From these installations, aircraft and surface ships set forth to
protect the many Allied convoys sailing the western sector of the North Atlantic.
To complete the huge arc of bases stretching across the North Atlantic, even
more Seabees were sent to the British Isles. At Londonderry, Northern Ireland,
they constructed a huge, deep water facility for naval craft and a naval air station
that was capable of handling the largest aircraft. Lough Erne, Loch Ryan, and
Rosneath in Scotland were transformed into huge storage depots, tank farms,
industrial areas, and seaplane bases.
Only with the firm establishment of the Navy's control of the seas, and the logistic
battle of the North Atlantic under control, did the Seabees move to the southwest
coast of England to prepare for the great invasion. From Milford Haven on the
northwest coast of Wales down to Plymouth and over to Exeter, the Seabees
built invasion bases which teemed with activity. There they prepared for their
most critical and multifaceted role in the Atlantic Theater of Operations.
During D-Day of the Normandy invasion, 6 June 1944, the Seabees were among
the first to go ashore as members of naval combat demolition units. Working with
U.S. Army Engineers, their crucial task was to destroy the steel and concrete
barriers that the Germans had built in the water and on the beaches to forestall
any amphibious landings. When dawn betrayed their presence, they came under
murderous German fire. Whole teams were wiped out when shells prematurely
detonated their explosives. Heedless of the danger, the survivors continued to
work until all their explosive charges were planted. As a result of their heroic
actions, the charges went off on schedule and huge holes were blown in the
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enemy's defenses.
The arduous assignment of the combat demolition units was only the beginning
of the Seabees' work on Normandy's beaches. After the invasion fleet had
arrived off the coast, The approximately 10,000 Seabees of Naval Construction
Regiment 25 began manhandling their pontoon causeways onto the beach. It
was over these causeways that the infantry charged ashore. Under constant
German fire, directed at slowing or stopping the landings, the Seabees
succeeded in placing large numbers of these pontoon causeways. Allied troops
and tanks subsequently swept ashore in ever greater numbers and pushed the
German defenders inland.
The Seabee contribution to the success of the invasion was not restricted to
assembling and placing pontoon causeways. They also manned the large ferries
known as Rhinos that carried men and supplies from the larger ships to the
beaches. These ferries were actually little more than floating pontoon structures
powered by giant outboard motors. Huge amounts of much needed equipment
were hauled ashore on Rhinos during the first few days of the invasion.
The Seabees also built offshore cargo and docking facilities, piers, and
breakwaters. These were constructed out of old cargo ships, special
prefabricated concrete structures that were floated over from England, and the
ubiquitous steel pontoons. The huge port area that was formed out of this odd
combination of materials became known as Mulberry A. Even after the artificial
harbor was partially destroyed in a severe storm, the Seabees landed hundreds
of thousands of tons of war material daily. In addition to these massive amounts
of supplies, by July 4, only 28 days after D-day, they had helped land more than
a million Allied fighting men.
The liberation of Cherbourg and Le Havre led to the next big Seabee project.
Mulberry A, for all its impressiveness, was only a temporary facility, and the
established harbors of these two cities were desperately needed by the Allies.
Knowing of this need, the Germans had cleverly devastated the harbors of
Cherbourg and Le Havre before retreating. It thus fell to the Seabees to put these
harbors quickly back into service. On the heels of the liberating armies, the
Seabees entered Cherbourg and Le Havre. At Cherbourg the first cargoes were
landed within 11 days and within a month the harbor was capable of handling 14
ships simultaneously. Seabee accomplishments at Le Havre were equally
impressive.
As the front continued to move inland, other ports along the northern and western
coasts of France were restored. At Brest, Lorient, and St. Nazaire, the Seabees
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rapidly cleared and rebuilt harbors to handle additional vital shipments of cargo.
The final great Seabee effort in the European Theater took place during the
crossing of the Rhine River in March 1945. Many times during the Second World
War the Seabees had been called upon to do odd jobs of an urgent nature, but
this particular odd job was of special significance. The U.S. Army, concerned
about the Rhine River's swift and tricky currents, called upon the Seabees to
operate many of the landing craft that were to be used in breaking Germany's
Rhine River barrier. The Seabees' first successful probe across the treacherous
river was at Bad Neuenahr near Remagen. Further crossings followed in rapid
succession as the Seabees made their task appear to be little more difficult than
a sightseeing cruise.
On 22 March 1945, General George S. Patton, with Seabee assistance, put his
armored forces across the Rhine at Oppenheim in a frontal assault which swept
away the German defenders. To support Patton's advancing army, the Seabees
built pontoon ferries similar to the Rhinos of D-day fame and used them to
transport Patton's tanks across the river.
In all, the Seabees operated more than 300 craft which shuttled thousands of
troops into the heart of Germany. One Seabee crew even had the honor of
ferrying Prime Minister Winston Churchill across the Rhine on an inspection tour.
The 69th Naval Construction Battalion had the distinction of being the only
complete battalion to serve in Germany. Arriving at Bremen on 27 April 1945, the
Seabees of this battalion set up camp just outside the city. They immediately
began the re-roofing of damaged buildings, installing plumbing and lighting,
setting up shops and offices, and installing power lines. A detachment also
repaired facilities at the nearby port of Bremerhaven.
Later, a large detachment from the 69th battalion was sent to Frankfurt-am-Main,
which had been designated as the headquarters of the U.S. Navy for the
occupation of Germany. There the detachment refurbished several buildings and
performed considerable maintenance work. In August 1945 the men of this
detachment completed their work and withdrew to Great Britain.
For the Seabees, the completion of this task marked the end of the North Atlantic
road to victory. They had reached their goal. Their building and fighting exploits
along the road had been noteworthy and valorous.
SEABEES IN THE PACIFIC THEATER OF 0PERATIONS
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Seabees in the Pacific Theater of Operations earned the gratitude of all Allied
fighting men who served with them or followed in their wake. Their deeds were
unparalleled in the history of wartime construction. With eighty percent of the
Naval Construction Force concentrated on the three Pacific roads, they literally
built and fought their way to victory.
In the North, Central, South and Southwest Pacific areas, the Seabees built 111
major airstrips, 441 piers, 2,558 ammunition magazines, 700 square blocks of
warehouses, hospitals to serve 70,000 patients, tanks for the storage of
100,000,000 gallons of gasoline, and housing for 1,500,000 men. In construction
and fighting operations, the Pacific Seabees suffered more than 200 combat
deaths and earned more than 2,000 Purple Hearts. They served on four
continents and on more than 300 islands.
Of the three Pacific roads to victory, perhaps the least significant was the one
which wound through the North Pacific. At the outset of hostilities, however, this
region, which included Alaska and the Aleutian Islands, had been a Japanese
target. The Japanese campaign of 1942 that succeeded in seizing the Aleutian
islands of Attu and Kiska was partly a feint, partly a serious probe of American
defenses, and partly a move to prevent the United States from invading the
Japanese homeland through the Aleutian and Kurile Islands. Many of the first
Seabees were sent to the North Pacific to help forestall what appeared at the
time to be a major Japanese offensive.
By late June 1942 Seabees had landed in Alaska and had begun building
advanced bases on Adak, Amchitka, and other key islands in the Aleutian chain.
In 1943 these new bases were used to stage the joint Army-Navy task force that
recaptured Attu and Kiska. While subsequent activity in the North Pacific was
minimal, the long, flanking arm of Seabee-built bases pointing toward the
Japanese home islands served as a substantial threat to the Japanese
throughout the remainder of the war. Even as action in the Central, South, and
Southwest Pacific areas became the major focus of attention, the Japanese
continued to look northward in fear.
Of the remaining two Pacific roads, the one through the steaming jungles of the
South and Southwest Pacific had the Philippines as one of its principal
destinations. The Seabees' first stop along this road was in the Society Islands.
The First Naval Construction Battalion (later redesignated the 1st Construction
Battalion Detachment because of its small size) left the United States in January
of 1942 and, one month later, landed on Bora Bora in the Society Islands. The
men of this battalion called themselves the "Bobcats" after the code name
BOBCAT, given to the island of Bora Bora. The Bobcats were actually the
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advance party of the more than 325,000 men who were to serve in the Naval
Construction Force during the Second World War. The Bobcats' mission was to
construct a fueling station that would service the many ships and planes
necessary to defend and keep open the sea lanes to Australia. Shortly after
landing on their tropical paradise, the Bobcats discovered that the island had
many climatic and hygienic disadvantages. Continual rainfall, 50 varieties of
dysentery, skin disease, and the dreaded elephantiasis all combined to make life
miserable for the construction men. To make their task even more difficult, the
island, far from the regular trade routes, had no piers from which to unload the
supply-laden ships. Despite these almost overwhelming problems, the Bobcats
immediately set about accomplishing their crucial objective. After devising a
method of bringing supplies ashore aboard pontoon barges, they swiftly
constructed the necessary fueling facilities. Their strenuous efforts were later
rewarded when the island's tank farms supplied the ships and planes that fought
the historic Battle of the Coral Sea.
While the Bobcats labored on Bora Bora, two additional groups of Navy
construction men were organized into the 2nd and 3rd Construction Battalion
Detachments. Less than five months after the Bobcats arrived on Bora Bora, the
Second Detachment was sent to Tongatabu in the Tonga Islands and the Third
Detachment to Efate in the New Hebrides.
These two islands were also on the supply route to Australia and were being
used as a staging area for a counterthrust by the Allies against Japanese forces
in the Southwest Pacific. On these islands the Seabees constructed fuel tank
farms, airfields, supply depots, and other facilities to support military action in the
Coral Sea and Solomon Islands.
The island of Espiritu Santo in the New Hebrides was closest in proximity to
Japanese-held Guadalcanal and, thus, rapidly assumed major importance.
Guadalcanal was the very tip of the Japanese thrust down the Solomon chain
toward the Allied southern communications route. The need to destroy the big
Japanese airfields nearing completion on Guadalcanal was imperative. The
Seabees of the 3rd Construction Battalion Detachment were rushed from Efate to
Espiritu Santo and instructed to build a countermanding Allied bomber strip as
rapidly as possible. Within an incredible 20 days the detachment had carved a
6,000 foot airstrip from virgin jungle. As a result of this tremendous feat, the Allies
were able to mount large scale air attacks against Guadalcanal and destroy the
dangerous Japanese air base under construction there.
When the Marines finally invaded nearby Guadalcanal, the men of the 6th Naval
Construction Battalion followed them ashore and thus became the first Seabees
to build under combat conditions. They immediately began the arduous task of
repairing the airfield, now named Henderson Field that they had earlier helped to
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destroy. This became a never-ending job, because as fast as the builders leveled
the strip and put down Marston matting, the Japanese would send bombers
overhead to drop high explosives on their work. Nevertheless, in the midst of
battle, the Seabees were able to repair shell and bomb holes faster than the
Japanese could make them. The Allied pilots desperately needed the use of
Henderson Field, so the Seabees kept this precious airstrip in almost continuous
operation.
The first decorated Seabee hero of the war, Seaman 2nd Class Lawrence C.
"Bucky" Meyer, USNR, was among the Seabees of the 6th battalion who worked
on Henderson Field. In his off-time, he salvaged and repaired an abandoned
machine gun, which, on 3 October 1942, he used to shoot down a Japanese
Zero fighter making a strafing run. For this exploit, he was awarded the Silver
Star. It was, however, a posthumous award, for 13 days after shooting down the
plane, "Bucky" Myer was killed in action when the gasoline barge on which he
was working was struck by Japanese naval gunfire.
On the same day Guadalcanal was invaded, Marines landed on Tulagi Island, a
short distance across the Sealark Channel. Once again the Seabees also came
ashore, but this time to construct an important torpedo patrol boat and repair
base for the U.S. Fleet. The base played a strategic role during the savage sea
battles in the "slot," the narrow channel between the islands of Tulagi, Savo, and
Guadalcanal. Patrol boats darted from the Seabee-built advanced base to scout
Japanese offensive moves, and crippled American ships limped in to receive
temporary Seabee repairs.
As the Allies continued to island hop up the Solomon chain, the Russells,
Rendova, New Georgia, and Bougainville also became centers of a frenzied
construction effort by Seabee units. At the same time, Seabees in the Southwest
Pacific were driving northward from Australia to New Guinea and the Philippines.
It was during the landing on Treasury Island in the Solomons, on 28 November
1943, that Fireman 1st Class Aurelio Tassone, USNR, of the 87th Naval
Construction Battalion created that legendary figure of the Seabee astride his
bulldozer rolling over enemy positions. Tassone was driving his bulldozer ashore
during the landing when Lieutenant Charles E. Turnbull, CEC, USNR, told him a
Japanese pillbox was holding up the advance from the beach. Tassone drove his
dozer toward the pillbox, using the blade as a shield, while Lieutenant Turnbull
provided covering fire with his carbine. Under continuous heavy fire, Tassone
crushed the pillbox with the dozer blade, killing all 12 of its occupants. For this
act Tassone was awarded the Silver Star.
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Although Seabees were only supposed to fight to defend what they built, such
acts of heroism were numerous. In all, Seabees earned 33 Silver Stars and 5
Navy Crosses during World War II. But they also paid a price: 272 enlisted men
and 18 officers killed in action. In addition to deaths sustained as a result of
enemy action, more than 500 Seabees died in accidents, for construction is
essentially a hazardous business.
Another milestone in Seabee history was in the making in 1943 -- but the location
was Hollywood rather than the South Pacific. Made in 1943 and released in early
1944, the motion picture The Fighting Seabees, starring John Wayne and Susan
Hayward, made "Seabee" a household word during the latter part of the war. This
picture also began a relationship between John Wayne and the Seabees which
was to last more than three decades. In fact, John Wayne's last motion picture
was Home for the Seabees, a Navy documentary filmed in 1977 at the Naval
Construction Battalion Center, Port Hueneme, California. This was most
appropriate, since the exteriors of The Fighting Seabees, had been filmed in and
around the same base during World War II.
While Hollywood made films, however, the grim reality of the war continued.
Initially, the Seabees in the Southwest Pacific busied themselves enlarging and
constructing new, vital staging and supply ports at several Australian coastal
points. By mid-1943, however, Merauke, on the underbelly of New Guinea,
resounded with the roar of battle and the clatter of Seabee hammers and
bulldozers. After building an important bomber strip that helped fend off
Japanese air attacks, they constructed a communications station at Port
Moresby.
Finally, on 26 December 1943, the Seabees joined the First Marine Division in an
assault on Japanese-held Cape Gloucester, New Britain. During the battle,
Seabees bulldozed paths to the Japanese lines so that American tanks could
attack the hostile positions. By New Year's Day, the Japanese airstrips were
captured and the American flag flew over the entire Cape.
The Admiralty Islands atop the Bismark Sea became the key to the isolation of
Rabaul and the final neutralization of enemy forces on New Britain. When the
Allies seized Manus Island and the adjacent smaller Los Negros Island, enemy
supply and communication lines from all points north and east were cut. In the
busy months following the capture of the Admiralties, the Seabees transformed
Manus and Los Negros into the largest U.S. naval and air base in the Southwest
Pacific. By 1944 the new base had become the primary location for service,
supply, and repair of the Seventh U.S. Fleet. During the same month, the capture
of Emirau Island in the Saint Matthias group completed the encirclement of
Rabaul. There the Seabees built a strategic, two-field air base, huge storage and
fuel dumps, a floating dry dock, miles of roads, and a base for torpedo patrol
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boats.
Leapfrogging ahead with General Douglas MacArthur's forces, the Seabees
reached Hollandia and turned it into a major forward base that was later
instrumental in the liberation of the Philippines. In fact, the Seabees of the Third
Naval Construction Brigade were still with General MacArthur when the South
and Southwest Pacific roads to victory converged on the Philippine Island of
Leyte in October 1944. Naval Construction Battalions operated the pontoon
barges and causeway units that brought the Allied Forces ashore and fulfilled
General MacArthur's famous promise to one day return.
These Seabees were soon joined by those of the Second and Seventh Naval
Construction Brigades, units that had been organized and staged in the Hawaiian
Islands. This vast Naval Construction Force of 37,000 men spread out into the
adjoining major islands and began building the facilities that were needed to
make the Philippines a great forward base in the Pacific, indeed one of the last
steps on the way to the invasion of the Japanese home islands.
The Seabees of this force built U.S. Navy and Army airfields, supply depots,
staging areas for men and materials, training areas and camp-sites. Seventh
Fleet headquarters was moved to the Philippines and Seabees built the facilities
that this enormous fleet required: fleet anchorages, submarine bases, ships
repair facilities, fast torpedo boat bases. By the summer of 1945, U.S. military
forces were prepared and poised for that last step on the South Pacific road to
victory.
While the Seabees in the South and Southwest Pacific were hacking their way
through vermin-infested jungles toward the Philippines, their comrades to the
north were striking across the Central Pacific island chains straight at the heart of
the Japanese Empire. It was on this extremely hazardous road to victory that the
Seabees perhaps made their greatest contributions toward winning the war. They
continually played a major role in the savage fighting which characterized the
island- hopping campaign in the Central Pacific. One after the other, the Gilberts,
Marshalls, Carolines, and Marianas were seized. After landing in the initial
Marine assaults, Seabee battalions built on these islands the advanced bases
from which the U.S. Pacific Fleet, the Marines, and the Army moved inexorably
toward the Japanese homeland.
Tarawa Atoll in the Gilberts was one of the toughest of them all. Only after
savage fighting at a cost of nearly 1,000 American dead were the Japanese
defenders overwhelmed. On Tarawa, the Seabees landed with the Marines and
in a mere fifteen hours put a shell-pocked airfield back into operation.
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On the atolls of Kwajalein, Eniwetok, and Majuro in the Marshalls, the Seabees
rendered further assistance in the destruction of Japan's eastern defense
perimeter. Seabees converted the idyllic atoll of Majuro into one of the major fleet
anchorages in the Pacific, and similarly transformed Kwajalein Atoll into a major
aviation facility. The Carolines were the third stepping-stone on the Central
Pacific road to Tokyo. Combat and construction in this island chain served yet
another purpose. When the fleet and air facilities in the western Carolines were
made operable by the Seabees, the islands were used as bases to support the
coming liberation of the Philippines.
The seizure of the Marianas spelled the beginning of the end for the Japanese.
The loss of the islands cut the Japanese line of defense and, even more
important, gave the United States an airbase from which bombers could strike at
the very heart of the Japanese Empire, the homeland. It was during Operation
"Forager," as the Marianas Campaign was named, that the Seabees made one
of their most significant contributions in the Pacific Theater of Operations.
Seabees and Marines landed together on the beaches of first Saipan, then
Guam, and finally Tinian. The very same day the Marines captured Aslito, the
main Japanese airfield on Saipan, the Seabees went to work repairing its bombdamaged runways. Stopping only to fend off Japanese counterattacks, they
succeeded in making the airstrip operational within four days. During the three
week battle for Guam, the Seabees participated by unloading ships and
performing vital construction jobs directed at eventually turning the island into the
advanced headquarters for the United States Pacific Fleet, an airbase for Japanbound B-29s, and a huge center of war supply. The invasion of Tinian called for
yet another exhibition of Seabee ingenuity. Because its narrow beaches were
covered with low coral cliffs, Seabees devised and operated special movable
ramps which made the landings possible. Once ashore, and even as the battle
raged, their bulldozers accomplished prodigious feats of construction on the
damaged and unfinished Japanese airfield.
What was needed after the successful Marianas campaign was an emergency
landing field much closer to the Japanese homeland that would service crippled
bombers returning from raids and enable shorter- ranged fighter planes to
accompany the giant bombers to their targets. The island chosen for this purpose
was Iwo Jima, scene of some of the most savage fighting of the war. On 19
February 1945, the Fifth Amphibious Corps, which included the 133rd Naval
Construction Battalion and elements of the 31st Naval Construction Battalion, hit
the beaches. During the assault, the 133rd Naval Construction Battalion had the
dubious honor of suffering more men killed or wounded than any other Seabee
battalion in any previous or subsequent engagement. Although only minor
construction was accomplished during the first ten days of the operation, the
Seabees later built one crucial emergency landing field and fighter airstrips so
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desperately needed by the Allies.
The Seabees also played a key role in the last big operation of the island war,
the seizure of Okinawa. The main invasion forces landed on Okinawa's west
coast Hagushi beaches on Easter Sunday, 1 April 1945. Off the amphibious
landing craft and over pontoons placed by the 130th Naval Construction Battalion
went the 24th Army Corps and Third Amphibious Corps. Right beside them were
the 58th, 71st and 145th Naval Construction Battalions. A few days later, two
additional Naval Construction Battalions, the 44th and 130th, landed. The fighting
was heavy and prolonged, and organized resistance did not cease until 21 June
1945.
The Seabees' task on Okinawa was truly immense. On this agrarian island,
whose physical facilities a fierce bombardment had all but destroyed, they built
ocean ports, a grid of roads, bomber and fighter fields, a seaplane base, quonset
villages, tank farms, storage dumps, hospitals, and ship repair facilities.
Nearly 55,000 Seabees, organized into four brigades, participated in Okinawa
construction operations. By the beginning of August 1945, sufficient facilities,
supplies, and manpower were at hand to mount an invasion of the Japanese
home islands.
While the Allied forces in the Philippines and on Okinawa were readying
themselves for the final battles that would get them to Tokyo and complete the
roads to victory, decisive events were taking place elsewhere, on the island of
Tinian in the Marianas. During the summer of 1945, the USS INDIANAPOLIS
arrived at Tinian from the Naval Weapons Center at Port Chicago, California.
Seabees of the Sixth Naval Construction Brigade helped with the unloading of
the components of a newly- developed weapon. The Seabees then stored the
elements in a shed built by themselves, and organized a detachment to guard
the shed and its mysterious contents. Scientists assembled the weapon in the
shed with several Seabees assisting as handymen.
On 6 August 1945 the new weapon was loaded into a U.S. Army Air Force B-29
bomber, named the Enola Gay. A short time later, the Enola Gay took off with its
secret load from Tinian's North Field, which the Seabees had built, and started
on her mission to Japan. Later in the day, the mission ended with the dropping of
the first atomic bomb on Hiroshima.
This historic event sealed the fate of Japan. Realizing that the war was lost, the
Japanese government negotiated a cease fire that went into effect on 16 August.
On 2 September 1945 Japan formally surrendered, and Allied forces occupied
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the Japanese home islands in a peaceful manner. Thus, the Pacific roads to
victory reached their final destination.
Seabee History: Between the Second World War and the Korean War
Following the victories in Europe and Asia, the U.S. Armed Forces rapidly demobilized.
The Seabees were part of this demobilization, and by June 1946 their number had fallen
from a peak strength of more than 250,000 men to approximately 20,000. In the
continental United States, the web of training bases and depots dissolved, and all Seabee
activity was concentrated at the Naval Construction Battalion Center, Port Hueneme,
California. As Seabee ranks continued to thin, the early postwar years saw only a few
battalions and small construction battalion detachments scattered at naval bases and
stations abroad.Despite the diminished strength of the force, Seabee peacetime activities
took on a unique and diversified character. Besides maintaining advanced bases built
during the war, they were confronted with many unprecedented construction assignments.
What could be more unusual than Seabees building a fleet weather station on
Russian soil? Yet in September 1945, Seabees of the 114th Naval Construction
Battalion, stationed in the Aleutian Islands, were ordered to Russia's Kamchatka
Peninsula to accomplish just such a project. They perhaps have the distinction of
being the only Americans invited to do construction work in the Union of Soviet
Socialist Republics. Also in 1945 and 1946, six battalions of Seabees performed
a variety of tasks on mainland China at Shanghai, Tsingtao, Tangku, and other
cities. Primary among them was the construction of harbors and airfields to be
used for the evacuation of the defeated Japanese troops and the importation of
supplies for the war-torn Chinese nation.
China was not the only nation to receive Seabee assistance after the guns fell
silent. As part of the occupation force, 13 construction battalions and 3 special
battalions were sent to Japan to aid U.S. naval forces at Hiroshima, Kabayana,
Yokosuka, Omura, Nagasaki, Sasebo, and Kure. Out of the postwar rubble, they
rebuilt all types of facilities including airstrips, docks, houses, electric and
telephone systems, bridges, roads, recreation areas, and hospitals.
In mid-1946 Seabees were assigned the task of constructing facilities on Bikini
Atoll in preparation for the historic atomic bomb tests there. That same year
Operation "High Jump" brought Seabees to Antarctica for the first time. An initial
detachment of 173 men accompanied Admiral Richard Byrd to Little America to
build new facilities and unload supplies and equipment.
When Vieques Island, off the coast of Puerto Rico, was chosen as the site for an
interservice war exercise, code named Operation "Portrex," Seabees performed
a dual function. They were on the scene prior to the "invasion" to reclaim the
island's abandoned wartime defense facilities. They then returned as participants
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in the exercise and successfully built a pontoon causeway which brought the
invading army units ashore.
During World War II the Seabees were a Naval Reserve organization, created
specifically for that war. Most Seabees were "USNR" and served "for the duration
plus six months." After the war, however, it was clear that the Seabees, having
more than proved their worth, would be a valuable new addition to the regular
Navy. Thus, in 1947, the Seabees became part of the regular, peacetime Navy.
In December 1947 a Seabee Reserve Organization was established to augment
active-duty Seabees during national emergencies. Many of these first Seabee
reservists were Seabee veterans of World War II who wished to continue to
serve the nation. The first reserve Seabees were organized into a number of
divisions in each Naval District. Each Seabee Reserve Division initially consisted
of 5 officers and 40 enlisted men. Although by 1949 the number of active duty
Seabees had dwindled to 3,300, the Reserve Organization served as a ready
force for expansion in the coming emergency in Korea.
SEABEES IN THE KOREAN WAR
In June 1950, following the invasion of South Korea by the armies of communist
North Korea, the Seabees found themselves at war again. As part of the United
States contingent of the United Nations force, they rose to the challenge in the
tradition of their "Can Do" predecessors. By a calling-up reservists, their activeduty force was expanded to more than 14,000.
On 15 September 1950 U.S. troops landed at Inchon in what has come to be
known as one of the most brilliant amphibious assaults in history. Seabees
achieved renown as the men who made it possible. Battling enormous thirty-foot
tides and a swift current while under continuous enemy fire, they positioned
pontoon causeways within hours of the first beach assault. Following the landing,
the incident known as the "Great Seabee Train Robbery" took place. The need to
break the equipment bottleneck at the harbor inspired a group of Seabees to
steal behind enemy lines and capture some abandoned locomotives. Despite
enemy mortar fire, they brought the engines back intact and turned them over to
the Army Transportation Corps.
In October Seabees ran their pontoon structures ashore again and set up
another operating port at Wonsan. When the strenuous harbor construction and
camp operations ceased to fill their days, they branched into the unusual tasks of
inspecting North Korean armament on an abandoned mine-layer, clearing mined
tunnels, and performing repair work on nearby ships.
When the Chinese Communists joined the retreating North Koreans to launch
another full scale invasion of South Korea, the Seabees were compelled to
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redouble their efforts -- this time to help the retreating U.N. forces. At Hungwan,
Wonsan, and Inchon, where Seabees had been instrumental in putting U.N.
forces ashore, Seabee pontoon causeways were now loaded with troops and
equipment going the other way.
By February, however, the tide turned once again and the Seabees returned to
Inchon for another landing. They found their previously constructed harbor
facilities in a state of ruin, but, miraculously enough, some of their sturdy pontoon
structures were still in place. After a rapid repair job, men and equipment
streamed ashore again.
Seabee participation in the Korean War was certainly not limited to amphibious
operations. Another of their outstanding contributions was in that specialty of
their World War II predecessors -- airfield construction. Seabees could be found
throughout the war zone constructing, repairing, and servicing the K-fields of the
various Marine Air Groups. The Seabees were broken up into numerous
detachments and each was assigned to an airfield designated with a "K" number,
such as K-3 at Pohang, K-18 at Kimbo, and K-2 at Taegu.
Keeping the planes flying was an arduous and often dangerous task. At one
small airstrip on the 36th Parallel, chuck holes were opening up in the failing
concrete faster than they could be repaired. As it was absolutely vital that the
field remain open, the undaunted Seabees graded, poured, and patched one
side of the runway while bomb-laden aircraft continued to fly off the other side.
Seabee relations with the Marine Corps were further cemented by a group of
nine Seabees who kept a 21-mile stretch of road open between an isolated
Marine intercept squadron and its source of supplies. They worked round-theclock in five-below-zero temperatures to successfully fulfill their promise to
rebuild any damaged bridge within six hours.
One of the most incredible Seabee feats of the war took place on the small island
of Yo in the Bay of Wonsan. In communist hands again in 1952, Wonsan was a
key supply and transportation center for the enemy. As such, carrier-based
aircraft strikes against Wonsan and points deeper in the interior were numerous
and constant. Planes were hit by enemy fire daily leaving their pilots with the
unhappy choice of either ditching at sea or attempting to land in enemy-held
territory. The need for an emergency airstrip was critical and, under the code
name Operation "Crippled Chick," a detachment of Seabees came to the rescue.
Put ashore on Yo Island, they were given 35 days to construct a runway.
Working under constant artillery bombardment from neighboring enemy
positions, they managed to complete the 2,400-foot airstrip in only 16 days. By a
prearranged signal, "Steak is Ready," the Seabees signaled that the job was
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done, and nine damaged aircraft landed on the new field that same day.
The rapid demobilization that followed the Second World War was not repeated
after the signing of the Korean Armistice in July 1953. Crises in Berlin, Cuba,
Africa, South America, and especially in Southeast Asia created the necessity to
maintain military strength and preparedness. Seabee Reservists had helped
meet the Korean crisis, but the onset of the Cold War had indicated the need for
a basic reorganization of Seabee capabilities as well as for increased Seabee
numbers. Between 1949 and 1953, 13 battalions of two distinct types were
accordingly established. The new establishments signified a gain in greater
battalion mobility and specialization. The first type, the new Amphibious
Construction Battalions, were landing and docking units. An integral part of the
Fleet Amphibious Forces, their mission was to place causeways and ship-toshore fuel lines, construct pontoon docks, and perform other functions necessary
for the expeditious landing of men, equipment, and supplies. Naval Mobile
Construction Battalions constituted the second type. They were responsible for
land construction of a wide variety, including camps, roads, tank farms, airstrips,
permanent waterfront structures, and many other base facilities.
BETWEEN THE KOREAN WAR AND THE VIETNAM WAR
Wide diversity marked the activity of the reorganized battalions during the
decades following the Korean Armistice. The tasks of the Seabees were the
tasks of a watchful peacetime. Wide-ranging, of tremendous variety, many were
pioneering and experimental as well. They were a part of the developing roles -in defense and in science -- of the U.S. Navy. In this decade, Seabee builders
were again on six continents.
More building and less fighting became the keynote of Seabee activities and their
peacetime achievements were no less impressive than those of wartime. On
Okinawa, for example, the Seabees built a Marine Corps Air Facility using
concrete precasting methods that earned the admiration of contractors
throughout the Pacific area. Elsewhere, a small detachment of Seabees
supervised and instructed Ecuadorans in modern construction methods while
building a new Ecuadoran Naval Academy.
Beginning in 1955 Seabees began deploying yearly to the continent of
Antarctica. As participants in Operation "Deep Freeze," their mission was to build
and expand scientific bases located on the frozen continent. The first "wintering
over" party included 200 Seabees who distinguished themselves by constructing
a 6,000-foot ice runway on McMurdo Sound. Despite a blizzard which once
destroyed the entire project, the airstrip was completed in time for the advance
party of Deep Freeze II to become the first men to arrive at the South Pole by
plane. The Seabees next assignment was to build a permanent scientific base on
the continent. Over the following years, and under the most adverse conditions,
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Seabees added to their list of accomplishments such things as snow-compacted
roads, underground storage, laboratories, and living areas. One of the most
notable achievements took place in 1962 when the Navy's builders constructed
the continent's first nuclear power plant at McMurdo Station.
By far the largest and most impressive project tackled by the Seabees in the
1950s was the construction of Cubi Point Naval Air Station in the Philippines.
Civilian contractors, after taking one look at the forbidding Zombales Mountains
and the maze of jungle at Cubi Point, claimed it could not be done. Nevertheless,
the Seabees proceeded to do it! Begun in 1951 at the height of the Korean War,
it took five years and an estimated 20-million man-hours to build this new, major
Navy base. At Cubi Point Seabees cut a mountain in half to make way for a
nearly two-mile long runway. They blasted coral to fill a section of Subic Bay,
filled swampland, moved trees as much as a hundred and fifty feet tall and six to
eight feet in diameter, and even relocated a native fishing village. The result was
an air station, and an adjacent pier that was capable of docking the Navy's
largest carriers. Undoubtedly as important as the finished project, however, was
the indispensable leadership and construction experience gained by the postwar
generation of Seabees. The construction of Cubi Point Naval Air Station was a
mammoth learning experience as well as a superb job well done.
The Seabee Reserve organization began a series of important changes in 1960.
Following the Korean War the reserve grew to 242 divisions, each with 4 officers
and 50 enlisted men. In July 1960 the Chief of Naval Operations granted
authority for the establishment of 18 reserve battalions. These battalions were to
be formed from the reserve divisions. In July 1961 battalion active duty training
was initiated. In July 1967 the Chief of Naval Operations approved the
establishment of four regimental staffs, later an additional four staffs were
approved. This process of evolution finally culminated in the establishment of the
1st Reserve Naval Construction Brigade in September 1969. The brigade
exercised overall control of the Reserve Naval Construction Force.
In 1961 the Seabees assembled a huge floating dry dock at Holy Loch, Scotland,
for the service and repair of the Polaris missile submarines which cruised
beneath the waters off Northern Europe. The dry dock, with a submarine tender
anchored alongside, gave the vital submarines a base that ended long transocean cruises for the purpose of repair and resupply.
In 1962 Project "Judy" brought the Seabees to the historic Greek plain of
Marathon. Living in a tent camp in a rural community, they built a Naval
Communication Station from scratch. When the job was completed in 1965, the
Seabees had fabricated and erected more than 100 major antennas and created
a base with all the comforts of home.
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Seabees participated in building missile ranges in the Atlantic and Pacific. They
were also constructed housing and apartment complexes for U.S. servicemen
and their families.
As indicated by the above-cited construction projects, Seabees during this period
could be found everywhere. Construction battalions regularly deployed to Guam,
Okinawa, Midway, the Philippines, Cuba, Newfoundland, and Spain. Seabee
detachments could also be found at dozens of lesser U.S. naval facilities
throughout the world. The Seabees' primary mission was base expansion and
maintenance. Their assignments included building and paving roads, laying
sewer lines and water mains, building airfield and harbor facilities, restoring and
converting old structures for new uses, wiring buildings, and erecting power lines.
Such duty kept the battalions in a high state of readiness for the eventuality of
advanced base building and amphibious support when war came again. The
Cold War era was not without crises. In 1958, when dissidents threatened to
overthrow the government of Lebanon and United States assistance was
requested, Seabees brought the Marines ashore over their pontoon causeways.
In addition to participating in the landing, the Seabees there were divided into
Beach Salvage Teams to recover swamped equipment, improve beaches, and
build roads.
Seabees were once again poised for action and on the scene in 1962 when,
following the successful conclusion of the Cuban Missile Crisis, it was felt that
Fidel Castro's regime might retaliate against the U.S. Naval Base at Guantanamo
Bay, Cuba. Under the constant threat of imminent ground attack or sniper fire,
Seabees worked with speed and skill to fortify the base perimeter.
During this period Seabees assumed yet another new role -- that of an
operationally-ready disaster relief force. Trained to build and fight, Seabees
proved equally capable of quickly rebuilding ruins and combatting peril. When the
Greek island of Cephalonia was devastated by an earthquake in 1953, Seabees
took part in emergency relief operations. In mid-January 1961 Seabees, with
typical ingenuity, used pontoons to save a California beach community
threatened by tremendous tides. Seabees restored power and rebuilt damaged
structures when Typhoon "Karen" destroyed much of Guam in 1962. Later, in
1964, Seabees were on the scene restoring utilities and building roads in a
matter of hours after Alaska was struck by a devastating earthquake and tidal
wave. When yet another typhoon ravaged an island in the Azores, Seabees
arrived quickly with prefabricated housing units to lend vital assistance to the
homeless. On several occasions, Seabees manned their equipment to
successfully battle forest and brush fires in the United States.
In the late 1950s and early 1960s, Seabee Teams, another proud addition to the
Seabee family, were born. This era marked the first use of these small
detachments for local military aid and socioeconomic projects in underdeveloped
countries. By 1963 this vital aid program had been refined in both organization
43
and aims, and had become a regular feature of Seabee activity abroad. The
Seabee Team usually consisted of thirteen carefully selected, experienced men - one junior Civil Engineer Corps officer, eleven construction men, and a hospital
corpsman. Such teams proved exceptionally effective in rural development
programs and for teaching construction skills to people in such diverse locations
as Africa, Central and South America, Southeast Asia, and later in the Trust
Territories of the Pacific Islands. For instance, in 1962 a Seabee Team arrived in
the Republic of Haiti to restore a collapsing municipal pier that was vital to the
national economy. The following year Spanish-speaking Seabees built and
staffed a technical school in Santo Domingo. A Seabee Team in Costa Rica
protected the imperiled city of Cartago from a disastrous mud-flow by building
dams and dikes. In other far-flung locations Seabee Teams constructed roads,
schools, orphanages, public utilities, and many other community structures.
However, much more important than the actual construction work they
accomplished were the skills team members imparted to the local residents.
Their true success was in enabling the local populous to continue old projects
and initiate new ones long after the Seabees have left the region. There is no
doubt that the "Can Do" Seabee Teams have more than earned their additional
measure of recognition as the "Navy's Peace Corps."
It was during the summer of 1964 that the Seabees first went to work for the
State Department. The program was initiated following the discovery of electronic
surveillance devices planted throughout the U.S. Embassy in Moscow. To
prevent future incidents of this nature, Seabees were used to perform all
construction and renovation in security sensitive areas of Foreign Service
facilities abroad. In addition, they were tasked with the supervision of private
contractors assigned to do construction work in non-sensitive areas. Despite its
beginnings in 1964, it was not until 1966 that the Naval Support Unit, State
Department, was officially established to administer Seabees assigned to support
the Foreign Service. Because of the superb on-the-job performance of these
Seabees, the State Department happily made them a permanent part of its
operations.
Thus, a peacetime pattern of battalion training and deployment took shape in the
years following the Korean War. This pattern, however, was drastically altered in
1965. The war in Vietnam brought American military intervention on a large scale
and effected major changes in Seabee activity worldwide. In the spring of 1965,
there were 9,400 Seabees on active duty at various sea and shore locations;
most of these Seabees were assigned to ten, reduced-strength Naval Mobile
Construction Battalions. These relatively few Seabees, however, were fully
prepared to write a new chapter in the history of the builder-fighters.
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Seabee History: Southeast Asia
Beginning in 1964 the United States military buildup in South Vietnam interrupted the
normal peacetime deployment pattern of the Naval Construction Force. The Seabees
were slated to play an important and historic role in the growing Southeast Asian conflict.
By autumn of 1968, when Vietnamese requirements reached their peak, world-wide
Seabee strength had grown to more than 26,000 men, serving in 21 full-strength Naval
Mobile Construction Battalions, 2 Construction Battalion Maintenance Units, and 2
Amphibious Construction Battalions.
U.S. Navy and Seabee activity in Southeast Asia, however, long predated the Vietnam
War. In fact, the first U.S. Navy involvement in Vietnam took place as early as May
1846. In that year, the USS Constitution, while on a world cruise, anchored in Danang
Bay to take on water and foodstuffs. While there, Captain John Percival, USN, the
Constitution's skipper, received a request for assistance from Bishop Dominique Lefevre
who had been imprisoned and condemned to death by Thieu Tri, Emperor of Cochin
China.
In response to the bishop's plea for help, Captain Percival led a rescue party of
80 sailors and marines ashore. After seizing three Mandarins as hostages, he
quickly dispatched a letter to the Emperor demanding the release of Lefevre. The
message either went unheeded or undelivered, because a reply was never
received. Deciding on an alternative course of action, Percival released the three
Mandarins when they steadfastly promised that they would personally seek
Lefevre's release. Still later, after hearing no more from the Mandarins and
fearing that he had been tricked, Captain Percival set sail for Macao, where, nine
days later, he apprised the French authorities of Lefevre's plight. A warship was
promptly dispatched and, as a result, Bishop Lefevre was finally rescued. Thus,
the story of the first United States intervention in Vietnam ended happily.
The second instance of significant of U.S. Naval activity in Vietnam took place
108 years later and, this time, the Seabees were prominent participants. The
1954 Geneva agreements, which recognized the North Vietnamese communist
government of Ho Chi Minh, also contained a provision which gave the
Vietnamese populace an opportunity to choose whether they would live in the
north or the south of a country newly divided roughly at the 17th parallel. Prior to
18 May 1955, the expiration date of this provision, nearly 800,000 Vietnamese
emigrated from north to south. Their exodus, in which four nations participated,
has since come to be known as the "Passage to Freedom." During the mass
migration, the South Vietnamese government built reception centers and
provided basic amenities, the French supplied ships and planes, and the British
provided an aircraft carrier. For its part, the United States organized Navy Task
Force 90, comprising more than 50 ships. Through the concerted effort of these
four governments, 310,000 refugees were evacuated from North Vietnam. In
addition, 68,857 tons of military equipment and 8,135 military vehicles which,
furnished to France under the Mutual Defense Assistance Program, were kept
45
from North Vietnamese hands.
As members of Task Force 90, Amphibious Construction Battalions One and
Two took part in the "Passage to Freedom." In Danang, where the USS
Consititution had stopped more than a century before, a detachment from
Amphibious Construction Battalion One built and operated a recreation facility for
U.S. personnel involved in the ferrying operation. Another detachment from the
same battalion constructed a refugee tent camp and accompanying water and
power supply facilities at the mouth of the Saigon River. This Seabee-built camp
served as a reserve living area for the overflow of refugees from Saigon. Since
the Geneva accord specifically prohibited the landing of foreign military units or
the establishment of foreign military installations in French Indo-China, the
Seabees of this detachment were required to wear civilian clothes and to remove
all U.S. markings from their equipment. Nevertheless, as a result of their
humanitarian efforts, the Seabees of Amphibious Construction Battalion One
were awarded the Vietnamese Presidential Unit Citation. Detachments from
Amphibious Construction Battalion Two were originally scheduled to build a
causeway across the beaches adjacent to the North Vietnamese city of
Haiphong. Over this causeway military equipment and refugees were to be
transferred to the many ships lying offshore. The plan, however, was soon
abandoned because of French opposition and the later discovery that the
previously selected beaches were unsuitable for such a causeway. Instead, all
loading operations were carried out from the Haiphong waterfront, and the
Seabees were diverted to the south to help their comrades with the construction
of the massive refugee camp. The Seabees labored for about one month in
Vietnam and, before being relieved, made an important contribution to the
success of this historic "Passage to Freedom."
Two years later, Seabees were to visit Vietnam one more time before the
conflagration of the 1960s. During the summer of 1956, a team from a Seabee
construction battalion was sent to the newly- established Republic of Vietnam to
conduct a survey of some 1,800 miles of existing and proposed roads. Two solid
months of seven-day-a-week labor in extremely rough territory yielded valuable
results.
When the Seabees returned almost ten years later, these results helped them
build many of the roads that were then crucial to the conduct of the war.
As tension continued to mount in Southeast Asia during the 1960s, the Seabees
first returned in the form of thirteen-man Seabee Teams, capable of performing a
great variety of tasks. Although small in size, these units possessed unique
capabilities never before assembled in such compact but highly effective and
versatile packages.
46
In 1963 Seabee Teams were sent to Thailand to assist in the Royal Thai
Government's Accelerated Rural Development Program. In the northern
provinces these diversified units taught and advised local Thais in an effort to
help them form the cadre of essential rural public works organizations. Three
years of diligent work in this region was finally concluded in May 1966.
In early November 1966, the Seabee Team program in Thailand shifted from
rural development to the Thai Border Patrol Police Program for the development
of remote area security. The program's underlying aim was to win village support
for the government in regions continually plagued by communist insurgency.
Before the termination of all Seabee Team efforts in Thailand in 1969, these
skilled units had made significant progress toward the attainment of this national
aim.
Also in 1963, two years before the first full Seabee battalion arrived, Seabee
Teams were laboring in South Vietnam. They constructed small support points
throughout the interior of South Vietnam to counter Viet Cong political influence
in the villages. The teams built U.S. Army Special Forces camps, performed civic
action tasks, and conducted military engineering projects under the Civil Irregular
Defense Group Program.
Seabee Team activity in South Vietnam continued to grow. Generally working in
remote rural areas, away from large population centers, the Seabees served
throughout twenty-two provinces scattered from the Mekong Delta, along the
Cambodian border and the Central highlands, to the North Vietnamese border.
In the early years, only two teams at a time were employed in these regions, but
by 1969 the number of teams in-country had grown to 17.
Seabee Team accomplishments were many and varied. The U.S. Army Special
Forces, who were engaged in training and advising Vietnamese Strike Forces
and the Civilian Irregular Defense Group in anti-guerilla fighting and defense
tactics, required fortified camps in advance areas able to withstand recurring
ground and mortar attacks. Besides constructing these special camps, Seabee
Teams were called upon to build access roads and nearby tactical airstrips.
Further, in South Vietnamese hamlets and villages, teams carried out numerous
civic action projects. From training local inhabitants in basic construction skills to
providing desperately needed medical assistance, the Seabees made a
significant impact on the Vietnamese populace.
While they were primarily builders and instructors, Seabee Team members were
sometimes directly involved in battle. Perhaps the most famous such battle
occurred in June 1965 at Dong Xoai, 55 miles northeast of Saigon. When Viet
47
Cong troops overran a Special Forces Camp containing 400 South Vietnamese
and allied Asian troops, 11 men of a U.S. Army Special Forces team and nine
men of Seabee Team 1104, seven of the Seabees were wounded and two killed.
One of the dead was Construction Mechanic 3rd Class Marvin G. Shields, USN,
who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for conspicuous gallantry in
carrying a critically wounded man to safety and in destroying a Viet Cong
machine gun emplacement at the cost of his life. Not only was Marvin Shields the
first Seabee to win the nation's highest award, but he was also the first Navy man
to be so decorated for action in Vietnam.
Beginning in 1970 Seabee Teams departed from South Vietnam without relief.
This initiated a phase-down program which corresponded to United States troop
withdrawals. Finally, on 18 April 1972, the last Seabee Team site located in Ham
Tan, Binh Tuy Province, was closed. Although these unique units were physically
gone, the common people of Vietnam continued to reap the benefits of their
many civic action projects.
In 1965 the steadily increasing insurgency of the National Liberation Army (Viet
Cong), made the large scale commitment of U.S. troops a necessity. Although
Seabee Teams had been active in the Republic of Vietnam since 1963, it was not
until 1965 that larger Seabee units were deployed to aid in the Vietnamese
struggle. Not since the Second World War had the need for the Seabees been so
great and not since Korea had Seabees worked under enemy fire. The first full
Seabee battalion arrived in Vietnam on 7 May 1965 to build an expeditionary
airfield for the Marines at Chu Lai. Others soon followed. From 1965 until 1969
the Seabee commitment in Southeast Asia rapidly increased, necessitating first
the transfer of Atlantic Fleet battalions to the Pacific through a change of home
port, then the deployment to Vietnam of Atlantic Fleet battalions, and later, the
reestablishment of nine additional battalions. This effort culminated in the recall
to active duty of two reserve battalions in May 1968, bringing to 21 the number of
battalions rotating to Vietnam at one time or another. In addition, there were two
Amphibious Construction Battalions lending support to the Vietnam effort. During
the same time period, to meet a requirement for Seabees to support such
installations as the Naval Support Activities at Danang and Saigon, the two
Construction Battalion Maintenance Units, the two deployed Naval Construction
Regiments, and the deployed Third Naval Construction Brigade rapidly increased
their size.
During the war the total Seabee community grew from 9,400 in mid-1965 to
14,000 in mid-1966, to 20,000 in mid-1967 and, finally, to more than 26,000 in
1968 and 1969. To help meet the great need for personnel, the Navy recruited
skilled construction workers at advanced pay grades. The Direct Procurement
Petty Officer Program, reminiscent of early World War II recruiting efforts, proved
highly effective both in terms of total numbers recruited (more than 13,000) and
48
quality of input.
Seabee accomplishments in Vietnam were impressive. They built roads, airfields,
cantonments, warehouses, hospitals, storage facilities, bunkers and other
facilities which were critically needed to support the combatant forces. The
mobile "search and destroy" strategy adopted by the United States during the
first years of the war shaped the two-fold mission of the Seabees in Vietnam. In
addition to the many Seabee Team activities in remote locations, construction
battalions built large coastal strongholds in the I Corps Tactical Zone which
embraced the northernmost provinces of Quang Tri, Thua Thien, Quang Nam,
Quang In, and Quang Ngai.
In 1965 the Seabee portion of the Vietnam Construction Program was
concentrated at three northern coastal points, the ports of Danang, Chu Lai, and
Phu Bai. The first six construction battalions sent to Vietnam were deployed to
these three points and, by 1966, as the construction program gathered
momentum, eight battalions were at work simultaneously in the I Corps Area.
At Danang the Seabees built three badly needed cantonments. Temporary
facilities which included strongback tents, mess halls, shops, sheds, bathroom
facilities, and a water distribution system were the first to be completed. In
addition, Seabees repaired the important Danang River Bridge, rendered
technical aid to South Vietnamese troops who were building ramps for tank
landing ships and small boats, and constructed warehouses and petroleum
storage tanks. Fortification of the cantonments was also essential because of
frequent enemy attacks. Despite Seabee-built machine gun positions and
bunkers for perimeter defense, one such attack succeeded in destroying the
newly built advance base hospital, killing two Seabees and wounding over ninety.
In true Seabee tradition, the men rapidly rebuilt the entire hospital complex.
At Phu Bai, near the ancient imperial capital of Hue, the Seabees developed yet
another coastal point into an advance base. There, the construction men built a
fleet logistic support unit cantonment. Besides camp construction, the project
entailed raising, widening, and surfacing a low peninsula which jutted 1,500 feet
out into the South China Sea. The causeway served as an unloading ramp for
cargo-laden landing ships. In addition, the Seabees built a large antenna field
which substantially modernized communication systems in the war-torn northern
provinces. Two smaller cantonments, one for a medical battalion, were also
constructed.
As U.S. Marines based at Danang pushed search and destroy operations into the
interior of the I Corps Area, the need arose for increased air cover and, thus, an
additional air strike facility. It was decided that the Seabees would build a 3,500-
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foot expeditionary airfield at Chu Lai, 50 miles south of Danang. Since the Viet
Cong controlled the surrounding mountains and there were no nearby port
facilities, the Seabees landed on the beaches of Chu Lai in the first major U.S.
Navy amphibious operation since the Lebanon crisis of 1958. Matching the feats
of their fabled Second World War predecessors, the Vietnam-era Seabees laid
the last aluminum plank on the airfield only 23 days after coming ashore. The
very next day planes began operations against the Viet Cong from the newly-built
airstrip. The Seabees continued their work at Chu Lai by adding a parallel
taxiway, four cross taxiways, and parking aprons. Before their task was
completed, the Seabees had rapidly erected two cantonments, warehouses,
hangars, and a host of other vital facilities.
By the end of 1965, Seabees had pioneered and laid the ground- work for three
major advance bases in the northern provinces of the Republic of Vietnam. From
these bases, combatant forces received the critical support necessary for
increasing attacks into the interior. In the words of Secretary of the Navy Paul H.
Nitze, the Seabees had "contributed mightily to constructing the vast
infrastructure necessary for a major war in a primitive, remote area." The
bastions built on the upper coast of South Vietnam demonstrated their worth in
1966 and 1967 when Allied forces, supplied from these points, crushed major
North Vietnamese offensives through the Demilitarized Zone and Laos.
During 1966 the Seabees continued to build at Danang, Phu Bai and Chu Lai,
expanding these bases and erecting more permanent structures for the men and
equipment assigned to them. At the same time, Seabees entered the troubled,
northern-most province of Quang Tri to build a hill-top fort of concrete bunkers at
Lang Vei. This vital outpost overlooked a feeder line of the Ho Chi Minh Trail.
They also built facilities at the Marine base at Dong Ha and the Army artillery
post at Comm To.
Among the numerous construction projects completed in 1967 was an alternate
airfield at Dong Ha and the famed Liberty Bridge, 80 miles southwest of Danang.
Even though the northeast monsoon season had already begun, the airstrip was
completed in only 38 days. The Liberty Bridge, which spanned the Thu Bon
River, was one of the most impressive undertakings of the war. Built to withstand
the incredible expansion of the river during the monsoon season, the completed
bridge was 2,040 feet long and towered 32 feet above the low water level. While
construction of such a bridge would have been difficult under normal
circumstances, the Seabees were required to work in a remote area of Vietnam
known to contain large concentrations of enemy forces. Despite tremendous
difficulties, the bridge was finished in only five months.
During the bitter struggle of the Tet offensive in February of 1968, Seabees built
and fought in direct support of the Marine Corps and Army. While the battle for
50
Hue raged at fever pitch, Seabees from Phu Bai were summoned to rebuild and
repair two vitally needed concrete bridges. When enemy snipers drove the
Seabees from their work, they organized their own combat teams which silenced
the snipers and let them complete their important task. In the spring, the
Seabees went to work on the Danang to Hue railroad and put it quickly back into
service. Constant enemy harassment had suspended service on this line since
1965.
Naval Construction Force strength reached its peak shortly after the beginning of
the 1968 Tet Offensive. During that and the following year there were more than
11,000 Seabees serving in South Vietnam. Although the Navy's construction men
continued to labor in the northern provinces, building city-like cantonments and
upgrading previously constructed facilities, the priorities of the war also began to
demand more and more of their skills in the south.
After responsibility for conducting the war was turned over to the South
Vietnamese and American military operations in the north were significantly
reduced, the Seabees labored to prepare the Vietnamese for the ultimate
withdrawal of all American combatant troops. In the Mekong Delta they built a
string of coastal bases and radar sites which would allow the Vietnamese Navy
to completely take over coastal surveillance in this area of "brown water" warfare.
As thousands of American troops were returning home, Seabees continued to
build. Only now, however, they built hospitals at Danang, Chu Lai, Phu Bai,
Quang Tri and many other towns and villages throughout the country.
When in 1970, Seabee activity drew to a close and the withdrawal of the last
units commenced, the Navy's builder-fighters had made a lasting contribution to
the people of South Vietnam. In a war where winning the hearts of the people
was an important part of the total effort, Seabee construction skills and medical
assistance proved powerful weapons in the Vietnam "civic action" war. The
recitation of events and the quoting of statistics fail to reveal the true nature of
the Seabees' involvement during the Vietnam years. True, they supported the
Marines at Chu Lai and Khe Sanh, reopened the railroad line between Hue and
Danang, struggled with the logistics problems of the Mekong Delta, constructed a
new naval base on a sand pad floating on paddy mud, and built staggering
quantities of warehouses, aircraft support facilities, roads, and bridges. But they
also hauled and dumped numerous tons of rock and paving on roads that
provided access to farms and markets, supplied fresh water to countless
numbers of Vietnamese through hundreds of Seabee-dug wells, provided
medical treatment to thousands of villagers, and opened up new opportunities
and hope for generations to come through Seabee-built schools, hospitals,
utilities systems, roads and other community facilities. Seabees also worked with,
and taught construction skills to the Vietnamese people, helping them to help
themselves and proving that the Seabees really are "builders for peace."
51
Seabee History: After Vietnam
When the de-escalation of United States activity in Southeast Asia got underway,
Seabee strength was once again reduced. By September 1970, the naval mobile
construction battalions were down to the planned post-Vietnam level of ten full-sized
battalions. Because of the reduction of the Naval Construction Force in Vietnam, on 8
December 1969, the headquarters of the 30th Naval Construction Regiment was moved
from Vietnam to Okinawa in the Ryukyu Islands, and on 1 May 1971 the headquarters of
the 32nd Naval Construction Regiment was moved from Vietnam to Roosevelt Roads,
Puerto Rico. By the end of 1971 most Seabees were employed outside of Southeast Asia.
Thus, on 9 November 1971, the 3rd Naval Construction Brigade was disestablished.
As the Seabees entered the post-Vietnam era, they found themselves employed on major
peacetime projects which had been deferred or neglected because of wartime priorities.
Alert battalions were reestablished in the Atlantic and Pacific Fleets at Roosevelt Roads,
Puerto Rico; and on Okinawa, in the Ryukyu Islands. The men of the Naval Construction
Force found themselves employed outside their home port fleet areas. No geographical
limitations existed as battalions and details were deployed to satisfy the current and everincreasing demand for Seabee expertise. For example, after the reestablishment of the
alert battalions, one battalion, Naval Mobile Construction Battalion Four, served first in
1970 as the Pacific alert battalion, and then in 1972 as the Atlantic alert battalion.
The post-Vietnam Seabees were involved in new construction frontiers: the
Indian Ocean, the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, Europe, on the ocean
floor itself, and in most of the oceans of the globe. Though younger and fewer in
number than their World War II predecessors, Seabees continued to
demonstrate the same old "Can Do" spirit.
DIEGO GARCIA
One of the major projects for the Naval Facilities Engineering Command and the
major project for the Seabees in the 1970s and early 1980s was the construction
of a naval complex on the atoll of Diego Garcia, part of the British Indian Ocean
Territory. Diego Garcia, one of the 52 coral atolls of the Chagos Archipelago, was
located in the Indian Ocean 960 miles south of India and 7 miles south of the
equator. The 6,700 acre, heavily vegetated atoll was horseshoe-shaped with a
perimeter of approximately 40 miles and average elevations of 3 to 7 feet. The
annual rainfall was approximately 100 inches.
On 24 October 1972 the U.S. and British governments signed an agreement
concerning the construction of a U.S. Naval Communication station on Diego
Garcia. The purpose of the facility was to provide a necessary link in the U.S.
defense communications network and furnish improved communications support
in the Indian Ocean for ships and aircraft of both governments. The U.S. was to
build the facility using Naval Construction Force personnel.
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The Diego Garcia base was initially planned as an austere communication
station with all necessary supporting facilities, including an airstrip. On 23
January 1971 a nine-man reconnaissance party from landed on the atoll to
confirm planning information and carry out a preliminary survey of the beach
landing areas. In early March a 50-man party from the same battalion and from
Amphibious Construction Battalion 2 as well as other specialist personnel arrived
by LST, and was followed by an advance party of 160 men from Naval Mobile
Construction Battalion 40. These men were to construct a temporary Seabee
camp, water and electrical distribution systems, a dining hall, laundry,
refrigeration and storage facilities. Finally, they were to build an interim 3,500foot airstrip.
In October and November, Detachment CHAGOS of NMCB 71 and the whole of
NMCB 1 arrived, marking the beginning of large-scale construction. NMCB 1 built
the transmitter and receiver buildings and placed the base course for the
permanent runway and parking apron. In July 1972 NMCB 62 relieved NMCB-1
and took over the departing battalion's projects. On 25 December the first C-141J
transport landed on the newly completed 6,000 foot runway with the Bob Hope
Christmas Troupe. The full 8,000 foot permanent runway with adjoining taxiway
and parking apron was completed by March 1973; and on 20 March, exactly two
years after construction began, the U.S. Naval Communication Station, Diego
Garcia, was officially established.
Worked commenced on the second construction increment, a $6.1 million project
which involved the construction of a ship channel and turning basin in the lagoon.
This project, however, was contracted to a Taiwanese firm. Seabees, however,
continued to work on support and personnel facilities in the cantonment area at
the northern tip of the atoll. The second major area of construction was the
airfield and its supporting facilities. Revised requirements called for the extension
of the original 8,000-foot runway to 12,000 feet and additions were made to the
parking apron and taxiways. New hangars and other support facilities were also
built. In addition, construction of extensive petroleum, oil and lubricant storage
facilities was initiated. The Navy required 480,000 barrels of storage to support
ship and aircraft needs and the Air Force required an additional 160,000 barrels.
During 1973 and 1974 Seabee units worked on all these projects. Because the
final mission of Diego Garcia was still evolving, it was clear that still more
construction would take place in the years to come.
In 1975 and 1976 Congress authorized $28.6 million to expand the Diego Garcia
facilities to provide minimal logistics support for U.S. task groups operating in the
Indian Ocean. This mission expansion called for construction of a fuel pier,
airfield expansion, and more petroleum, oil and lubricant storage, and personnel
support facilities. Additional projects were undertaken in 1978. Construction was
accomplished by both Seabees and private contractor personnel and it was
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anticipated that the Diego Garcia project would finally be completed in 1980.
World events in 1979 and 1980, however, forced a reevaluation of the U.S.
defense posture in the Indian Ocean Area which indicated the need for prepositioned materials to support a rapid deployment force and a more active U.S.
presence in the area. It was decided to further expand the facilities at Diego
Garcia in order to provide support for several pre-positioned ships, loaded with
critical supplies. By the end of 1980 the Naval Facilities Engineering Command
had advertised a $100 million contract for initial dredging at Diego Garcia to
expand the berthing facilities.
In the early 1980s the construction effort at Diego Garcia rapidly shifted from
Seabees to private contractors. The last full Seabee battalion, NMCB 62,
departed the atoll in July 1982. While Seabees remained in detachments,
contractor personnel took over the projects yet to be accomplished on Diego
Garcia. Thus, what began as simply a communication station on a remote atoll
became a major fleet and U.S. armed forces support base by the 1980s. By 1983
the only Seabee unit remaining on Diego Garcia was a detachment of NMCB 62.
The departure of this detachment in September 1983 ended twelve years of
priority effort on the island that included some 220 projects for the Navy and Air
Force, valued in excess of $200 million. The work the Seabees completed on
Diego Garcia since 1971 represented the largest peacetime construction effort in
their history. Diego Garcia was the major Seabee construction effort of the 1970s
and they acquitted themselves well under the difficult and isolated conditions that
exist there. When the Seabees arrived they lived in tent camps, when they
departed they left a fully-developed, modern military facility, capable of
supporting thousands of U.S. personnel.
SEABEE ACTIVITY AROUND THE WORLD
Other projects on which Seabees worked in the early 1970s included the
upgrading of recreational and living facilities at the Naval Communication Station,
Makri, Greece. There they built a radio facility; improved the base swimming
pool; built tennis courts, and a softball field; and an addition to the enlisted men's
club; and remodeled the barracks. At the Naval Facility, Souda Bay, on the island
of Crete, Seabees built an open storage facility, a pipe and canvas enclosure,
and a helicopter pad. In Sigonella (Sicily), Italy, at the Naval Air Facility they
installed diesel units and "no break" generators, and remodeled barracks and the
general mess, built an air- frame repair shop, power-check pad, ordnance
magazine, enlisted man/chief petty officer club, handball court and theater. At the
Fleet Support Office, La Maddalena, Italy, Seabees built a gymnasium and a
playing field unit.
In Spain Seabees worked on a number of projects at the Rota Naval Station.
These projects included remodeling barracks and the enlisted men's club and
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building additions to the base telephone exchange and warehouse. Seabees also
installed a new fender system on Pier #2 and built a causeway connection. They
also reconstructed the Rota Seabees Camp which had deteriorated because it
had been vacant from 1965 until 1971. In London, England, Seabees remodeled
a Marine barracks; in Greenock, Scotland, they built a bowling alley; in Holy
Loch, Scotland, they renovated the public works department garage and the
hobby shop facility; at the Naval Security Group Activity, Todendorf, Germany,
they built an addition to an operations building and installed a new emergency
generator.
Meanwhile, in the Pacific, the major efforts of the Seabees were centered on
Okinawa in the Ryukyu Islands, and on Guam in the Mariana Islands. On
Okinawa they performed many different and challenging assignments. The jobs
included new structures at Camp Kinser, a new water pipeline, a modern
underground electrical distribution system and a major land grading project at the
Marine Corps Air Facility at Futema. On Guam Seabees built a Seabees Camp.
The camp, dedicated to William Lee Covington, a young Civil Engineer Corps
officer killed in Vietnam, included approximately 39 pre-engineered buildings,
housing facilities, offices, shops, a galley, living quarters, a chapel, and utilities.
Other projects completed during the 1970s included a major swimming pool
complex at the Naval Hospital, a culvert and earthmoving project at the Naval
Magazine, a chief petty officer club, community center and teen center at the
Naval Communication Station, and four steel buildings at the Polaris Point
submarine facility.
In 1972 the Chief of Naval Operations announced that female naval personnel
would be granted entry into all Navy ratings. That same year the a woman sailor
had her request to cross-rate approved and subsequently became the first
female Seabee. Many more would follow her, and by the 1990s women had
become common in the ranks of the Seabees.
Seabees in Taiwan worked on the rehabilitation of barracks and on the
construction of duplex cabins; at Iwakuni, Japan they worked on a Marine Corps
confinement facility, an exchange warehouse, and a water line. In the Philippines
they constructed an aircraft rinse rack and runway support facilities.
In Puerto Rico Seabees renovated roads during the 1970s, built a commissary
and new buildings at Camp Moscrip, and carried out numerous civic action
projects. During 1977 Seabees carried out a beach-erosion preventive project in
Argentia, Newfoundland; and rehabilitated housing
at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
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The Seabees were also active in Antarctica, both during and after the
Vietnamese War. As part of Operation "Deepfreeze," they provided logistic
support for the scientific research programs that were conducted by seventy
American universities, government agencies, and industrial firms. The return of
Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 71 from Antarctica in 1974 marked the end
of Seabee participation in Operation "Deepfreeze." The National Science
Foundation, which oversaw the program, accomplished all remaining
construction by contract.
In addition to the work performed by the mobile construction battalions, the
amphibious construction battalions were extensively employed. Both amphibious
battalions engaged primarily in fleet exercises and other training operations.
Additionally, amphibious Seabees in the Pacific Fleet found time to accomplish
earthwork for a canoe lagoon and a camping area at Imperial Beach, California,
to place and remove concrete obstacles in South Bay for underwater demolition
teams and Sealab training, and to complete the first increment of a sheet pile
bulkhead project. Meanwhile, Seabees of the Atlantic Fleet constructed a boat
marina at the Little Creek Amphibious Base.
Detachments of the amphibious Seabees also served in the Mediterranean and
Caribbean. These were detachments of the amphibious ready groups that were
prepared for amphibious assaults whenever necessary.
In June 1969 the first Seabee Team to be employed in the Trust Territory of the
Pacific Islands landed at Moen Island in the Truk District. While the concept of
civic action was not new to the Seabees, the Micronesian environment was
totally different from that of Thailand and Vietnam, where the thirteen-man
Seabee teams had proven so successful. The Trust Territory was a United
Nations strategic trust administered by the United States under a 1947
agreement. While the area was not war torn or threatened as were Vietnam and
Thailand, the Trust Territory was in an embryonic stage of political and economic
development.
Under an agreement between the Secretaries of the Interior and Defense, and at
the specific request of the native people at each location, Seabee teams were
provided to assist the Micronesians in constructing facilities, roads, and utilities
needed to enhance the economic development and improve the health of the
people of the Trust Territory. While construction of such facilities provided
tangible evidence of Seabee accomplishments in Micronesia, the major
emphasis and greatest potential benefit was the valuable training in construction
skills that was made available to the people of Micronesia. This training enabled
them to accomplish essential construction themselves.
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Seabee Teams in the Trust Territory served on the islands of Ponape, Truk,
Palau, Kusaie, and Yap. The teams built roads, dispensaries, water tanks,
bridges, and public buildings. The response of the Micronesian people to the
civic action program was highly favorable in all districts. The tangible benefits
were readily apparent in the improved roads, utilities and new facilities.
In the summer of 1972 a Seabee Team, with assistance from an amphibious
construction battalion, assembled an Ammi pontoon hospital barge on Lake
Titicaca high in the central plateau of Bolivia. The project was sponsored by the
Bolivian Navy with assistance from the United States government. The barge
was a 90 by 28-foot Ammi pontoon with a prefabricated Lewis building
superstructure that served as a dispensary. It was powered by two diesel
outboard motors and contained all the basic medical and dental facilities of a
small hospital.
In the mid-1960s increased interest in exploiting the ocean for defense purposes
spotlighted a need to establish an underwater construction capability within the
Navy. A team of Seabee divers was formed during 1968 to launch, implant, and
recover the Tektite I habitat in the Caribbean. The success of this operation led
to additional Seabee underwater construction assignments. It also led to the
establishment of two Seabee underwater construction teams: Underwater
Construction Team One under the cognizance of the Twenty- first Naval
Construction Regiment at Davisville, Rhode Island; and Underwater Construction
Team Two under the cognizance of the Thirty-first Naval Construction Regiment
at Port Hueneme, California. After their formation, both teams performed
successfully in numerous operations, including the installation, maintenance, and
repair of submarine cables and pipelines; the implanting and recovery of
moorings and acoustic and magnetic systems; underwater surveys; and harbor
and dry dock inspections. The teams demonstrated a capability to perform, and
they added dimension to Naval Construction Force capabilities, previously
generally restricted to efforts on land.
In 1970 the Chief of Naval Operations, in his concern for improving the quality of
life ashore for Navy personnel and their families, established a new program for
improving shore establishment habitability. He committed the Seabees to lead
and direct his Self-Help and Shore Establishment Habitability Improvement
Programs.
Under this program active and reserve fleet Seabees and construction battalion
units participated in improvements to personnel support facilities. The
construction battalion units consisted of approximately forty or fifty men and were
established to provide more effective and worthwhile duty for Seabees while
stationed ashore. In addition to training on construction projects and continuing
the Seabees' combat and disaster recovery readiness, the units guided and
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supervised the efforts of other Navy ratings in improving the sailor's living
conditions ashore under the self-help concept.
Examples of the projects to improve living conditions ashore range from very
simple bus shelters to large hobby shop complexes. Other typical examples
included improvements to living facilities, temporary lodgings, parking garages,
on-base parking, mobile home parks, and locker and recreation clubs. In 1981
sixteen construction battalion units were actively engaged in executing such
projects in the United States.
In addition to performing their regular construction functions, Seabees
participated in humanitarian and disaster recovery assignments in the wake of
several natural disasters and political upheavals. One such political upheaval
was the collapse of the Republic of Vietnam in 1975. Following this event,
Seabees provided support to the Vietnamese refugee program, Operation "New
Life."
OPERATION "NEW LIFE"
On 29 April 1975 the government of the Republic of Vietnam surrendered to the
North Vietnamese as North Vietnamese regulars and Viet Cong closed in on
Saigon. Before the surrender, President Gerald Ford ordered a mass evacuation
of Americans and Vietnamese from the capital. For the latter who were political
refugees, it meant the beginning of a long journey to a "new life" in the United
States. In addition to the evacuation by air, many thousands of Vietnamese
chose to flee the country in ships, and even small boats. The first stop for many
on this journey was Grande Island, located at the entrance of Subic Bay,
Republic of the Philippines. Here, Seabees, assisted by Marines and civilian
employees from the Navy Public Works Center built a tent camp for the refugees.
From Grande these refugees moved to the larger camps which had been built on
Guam in the Marianas.
On 23 April 1975 the 30th Naval Construction Regiment directed all Seabees on
Guam to halt their normal construction projects and mount an around-the-clock
effort to prepare facilities to house the approximately 50,000 refugees who were
even then fleeing South Vietnam. Seabees first rehabilitated the abandoned
Naval Hospital Annex at Asan Point. The Seabees worked around the clock and
by Friday, 25 April, the camp received the first arriving refugees and quickly filled
to its 10,000-person capacity. On 24 April Seabees began construction of a
huge, 50,000 person tent camp at Orote Point. This was a monumental
undertaking as it involved clearing the jungle from more than 50 acres of land.
Once again, the Seabees worked 24-hours a day and the camp received its first
refugees on 26 April. Not only did construction ratings work, but the battalions
also pressed their support personnel into action. Supply clerks, mess cooks, and
yeoman all pitched in and worked around the clock to get the job done.
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Construction continued and in about a week, Seabees erected 2,000 tents with
no end in sight. Support utilities were also provided: messing facilities and
kitchens,
thousands of feet of water mains to supply showers and washing facilities, as
well as the necessary sanitary facilities.
As refugees were processed and flown to the U.S., the camp population
gradually dropped. Then, the first ships carrying refugees arrived and the camp
population swelled once again. A peak camp population of 50,233 was reached
on 14 May, after that the pace gradually slackened as the flow of refugees to the
states outran the influx of new refugees. By 26 June the camp population had
dropped to 10,138 and Operation "New Life" began to wind down.
DISASTER RELIEF
In January 1975 a Seabee salvage team was sent to Managua, Nicaragua,
following a major earthquake which heavily damaged that city. After completing
its primary mission of salvage at the U.S. Embassy, the team then salvaged
badly-needed hospital equipment for the El Ritiro Hospital in Managua.
In December 1975 Seabees of Construction Battalion Unit 417 engaged in flood
control operations at Mt. Vernon, Washington, when the Skagit River overflowed
and threatened the town. In February 1976 Naval Mobile Construction Battalion
40 sent a detachment to Guatemala City to provide disaster relief following an
earthquake which caused extensive damage to that city. In May 1977 Naval
Mobile Construction Battalion 3 performed recovery and reconstruction work of
all types on Guam in the wake of Typhoon "Pamela." In February 1980 Seabees
from the 31st Naval Construction Regiment at the Naval Construction Battalion
Center, Port Hueneme, California, battled a devastating flood at the nearby
Pacific Missile Test Center, Point Mugu. Finally, Seabees went to the islands of
Jamaica and Dominica in 1980 to help repair the extensive damage caused by
Hurricane "David" in December 1979.
SEABEES KILLED IN ACTION IN WAR AND PEACE
Since the outbreak of World War II, 22 Civil Engineer Corps officers and 353
Seabees have been killed in action during wartime. During the last few decades,
however, a new peacetime threat has emerged. Various disaffected groups in the
world have increasingly made use of terrorism as a weapon. Three Civil Engineer
Corps officers and one Seabee are numbered among their victims.
At mid-morning on 3 February 1975 on the northeastern edge of the U.S. Naval
Base at Subic Bay in the Philippines, Captain Thomas J. Mitchell, CEC, USN,
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Commander of the 30th Naval Construction Regiment, Commander Leland R.
Dobler, CEC, USN, Commanding Officer of Naval Mobile Construction Battalion
133, and Lieutenant Charles H. Jeffries, CEC, USN, Officer in Charge of
Detachment WALLABY of that battalion, were riding in a jeep on an inspection
tour of a section of perimeter road which was being worked on by Lieutenant
Jeffries's detachment. The three officers were driving in an isolated area
approximately seven miles from base headquarters in deep jungle along the
boundary between the base and Bataan Province when unidentified terrorists
ambushed them, cutting the three men down in a hail of fire. Seabees from
Detachment WALLABY, who were working about half a mile away, heard the
shooting, rushed to the ambush scene, and notified base headquarters. Medical
personnel were immediately flown to the scene, but the three men were dead
when they arrived. U.S. Marines and Philippine Constables immediately moved
into area to locate the attackers, but they were unsuccessful and the attackers
were never positively identified. To this day, the three officers remain the victims
of anonymous terrorists.
The latest incident of a Seabee falling victim to terrorist activity took place on 15
June 1985. Following completion of a routine repair project at a base in Greece,
Steelworker 2nd Class Robert D. Stethem, USN, and four other members of
Underwater Construction Team 2 were returning to the United States aboard
TWA Flight 847 when Shiite Muslim terrorists hijacked the flight and diverted it to
Beirut, Lebanon. The terrorists singled out Stethem and another Seabee for
physical abuse. While the aircraft sat at the Beirut airport, the terrorists beat
Stethem over a prolonged period, and finally killed him with a bullet to the head.
After lengthy negotiations, the remaining passengers were finally freed. The four
terrorists made good their escape into Beirut, but one was later apprehended in
Germany and convicted of air piracy and murder.
THE SEABEE ORGANIZATION IN THE 1970'S AND 1980'S
Following the Vietnam War, the pressure to reduce the size of the Armed Forces
made it necessary for the Seabees to rely more on the reserve force to offset the
reductions in the active force. During the 1970s reserve Seabees experienced a
closer association with their active counterparts than in the past.
Efforts were made to elevate the readiness posture of the reserve Seabee force
through a variety of programs. One such program involved the establishment of
Permanent Drill Sites for the reserve battalions at military installations within their
respective geographical areas. Readiness Support Allowances were positioned
At these sites. These allowances consisted of essentially a ten percent crosssection of the Advanced Base Functional Component for a Seabee battalion.
This allowed the reserve battalions to develop year-round training programs.
To effectively care for and utilize this readiness allowance, active-duty support
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personnel were assigned to each reserve battalion. Because of such measures,
the mobilization readiness level of the Reserve Naval Construction Force
substantially improved by the mid-1970s.
In late 1973, as part of the Navy's effort to realign the naval shore establishment,
the mission of the Naval Construction Battalion Center, Davisville, Rhode Island,
was revised. The center was reduced to providing storage and preservation
facilities for advance base and mobilization stocks, and mobilization facilities to
support the Naval Construction Force.
At the peak of the Vietnam War, the Davisville Center had supported six fullstrength battalions. However, by 1973, the center was home port for only three
battalions of peacetime strength and one underwater construction team. In
addition, the 21st Naval Construction Regiment was located there. On 30 June
1974, Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 71 was transferred to the Naval
Construction Battalion Center, Gulfport, Mississippi; Naval Mobile Construction
Battalion 40 was transferred to the Naval Construction Battalion Center, Port
Hueneme, California; and Underwater Construction Team 1 was transferred to
the Naval Amphibious Base, Little Creek, Virginia. Later in the year, on 27
November 1973, Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 1 was also transferred to
the Gulfport Center. The last unit of the Naval Construction Force at Davisville,
the 21st Naval Construction Regiment, was disestablished on 15 January 1975.
At the beginning of 1975 there were three regiments, ten mobile construction
battalions, two amphibious construction battalions, two underwater construction
teams, and one construction battalion maintenance unit on active duty.
The 31st Naval Construction Regiment at Port Hueneme, California, was
responsible for the operational control of the battalions that made Port Hueneme
their home port. These battalions were Naval Mobile Construction Battalions 3, 4,
5, 10, and 40. The regiment was also responsible for Underwater Construction
Team 2.
The 20th Naval Construction Regiment at Gulfport, Mississippi, was responsible
for the operational control of the battalions that made their home port in Gulfport.
These battalions were Naval Mobile Construction Battalions 1, 62, 71, 74, and
133.
Amphibious Construction Battalion 2 and Underwater Construction Team 1 were
located at the Naval Amphibious Base, Little Creek, Virginia; and Amphibious
Construction Battalion 1 had its home port at the Naval Amphibious Base,
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Coronado, California.
Construction Battalion Maintenance Unit 302 was permanently assigned to the
Public Works Department of the Naval Base at Subic Bay, the Philippine.
Finally, the 30th Naval Construction Regiment had its headquarters on Guam in
the Mariana Islands. This regiment was responsible for the operations of
construction battalions while they were employed in the Western Pacific Ocean
area, and the Seabee Teams employed in the Trust Territory of the Pacific
Islands.
Before the end of 1975 a change in the planned peacetime strength of the
Seabees led to a further reduction in the number of construction battalions. On
30 June 1975 Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 71 was disestablished. The
following year saw the demise of yet another battalion when Naval Mobile
Construction Battalion 10 was disestablished on 30 June 1976. The number of
Naval Mobile Construction Battalions remained at eight during the remainder of
the 1970s.
SECURITY ACTIVITY IN THE 1980'S AND 1990'S
Because the United States was faced with continuing threats to its national
security during the 1970s and early 1980s, the nation had to make the most
efficient use of its defense resources. In this context, the Seabees faced
imposing challenges.
In the early 1980s political upheavals in the Caribbean and Central America
resulted in U.S. military action which included participation by the Seabees.
Detachments from Amphibious Construction Battalion 1 and 2 participated in
Operation "Urgent Fury," the U.S. invasion of Grenada. Later, a handpicked
detail of 100 Seabees from NMCB 74 sailed from CBC Gulfport for Central
America and participated in the joint-services exercise, Operation "Big Pine II."
During 1981 Seabees based at the Naval Construction Center, Port Hueneme,
performed a construction task of some interest when they built military and
Secret Service support facilities at then President Ronald Reagan's ranch near
Santa Barbara, California. During a subsequent "thank you" barbecue for the
men involved, President Reagan was made an honorary Seabee.
On 11 November 1983, Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 1, then deployed at
Rota, Spain, was alerted of a potential tasking in support of the U.S. Marines who
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were part of the Multinational Peacekeeping Force in Beirut, Lebanon. The
tasking consisted of improving the living conditions of the Marines located at the
Beirut International Airport. On 14 November NMCB 1 sent a survey team to
Beirut; and on 24 November, Thanksgiving Day, Detail Bravo Lima, consisting of
1 CEC officer and 38 Seabees departed the battalion main body for Beirut. In
January 1984 the tasking was expanded; and on 5 January a second increment,
consisting of an additional CEC officer and 39 Seabees departed for Beirut. The
battalion also shipped 61 pieces of equipment to Beirut in support of Detail Bravo
Lima. The tasking was completed and the first increment returned on 17
February 1984; the second increment and the 61 pieces of equipment returned
on 1 March 1984. This was the first involvement of Seabees under combat
conditions since the Vietnam conflict.
On 15 August 1984 the 30th Naval Construction Regiment was disestablished on
Guam. From this date, the Commander, Construction Battalions, Pacific Fleet, at
Pearl Harbor, assumed responsibility for operational control of Naval
Construction Force units in the Western Pacific Ocean Area.
On 1 July 1985, as part of the military expansion during the first term of the
Reagan presidency, a new active-duty Seabee battalion, Naval Mobile
Construction Battalion 7, was established at the Naval Construction Battalion
Center, Gulfport, Mississippi. There were now a total of nine active-duty mobile
construction battalions.
During the 1980s the Seabees provided support for the Fleet Hospital program.
These Fleet Hospitals were rapidly deployable systems of expandable shelters,
pre- positioned worldwide, and assembled/erected by Seabees. Of the 23
hospitals required, 8 would be built and supported by active-duty Seabees, 8 by
Reserve Seabees, and the remainder programmed for future years. The Reserve
Naval Construction Force participated in a field test of a partial hospital in
Operation "Golden Shield" during 1986. Active-duty Seabees supported a followon test and evaluation of a complete 200-bed hospital in April and May 1987.
Amphibious Construction Battalion 2 became the first Seabee unit ever awarded
the Joint Meritorious Unit Service Award. Secretary of Defense Caspar
Weinberger signed the award on 2 October 1986. The award recognized ACB 2's
unsurpassed operational tempo, including support of the Multinational
Peacekeeping Force in Lebanon, and Operation "Urgent Fury" in Grenada,
Teamwork 84 in Northern Europe, Ocean Venture 84 in the Caribbean, and Joint
Logistics Over the Shore Test II. Over 100 members of Amphibious Construction
Battalion 1 were also eligible for the award, since they were assigned to
Amphibious Construction Battalion 2 on temporary duty during Joint Logistics
Over the Shore Test II.
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During 1987 and 1988 Seabees participated in the West African Training Cruise.
Civic action detachments were embarked on the USS SUMPTER which made
port calls in Abidjan, Ivory Coast; Accra, Ghana; and Lome, Togo. These
detachments received high praise from all concerned for their numerous civic
action projects. In 1989 civic action detachments were embarked on the USS
HARLAN COUNTY which made port calls in Guinea, Sierra Leon, Liberia, and
Gabon. The same high praise was received.
As part of a reduction in forces, Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 62 was
disestablished at the Naval Construction Battalion Center, Gulfport, Mississippi,
on 31 July 1989.
On 22 September 1989 Hurricane "Hugo" struck the Charleston, South Carolina,
area, killing 26 people and causing $5.9 billion of damage. Seabees from Naval
Mobile Construction Battalion 5 and 133, home-ported at the Naval Construction
Battalion Center, Gulfport, Mississippi; and Construction Battalion Unit 412 at
Charleston immediately moved to provide disaster relief to both the military and
civilian communities.
At 5:00 pm on 17 October 1989 an earthquake of 7.1 magnitude shook the San
Francisco Bay Area. Both civilian communities and Navy facilities in the area
suffered heavy damage. Seabees from Construction Battalion Unit 416 at the
Naval Air Station, Alameda; and Construction Battalion Unit 421 from Mare
Island began providing immediate disaster relief. The following day Naval Mobile
Construction Battalion 3's Air Detachment arrived on the scene, and convoys of
men and equipment from Construction Battalion Unit 406 at the Naval Air Station,
Lemoore; and Amphibious Construction Battalion 1 in San Diego, set out to bring
relief to the bay area. Disaster relief was provided to both damaged naval and
civilian facilities in the area. The latter effort included helping to outfit Federal
Emergency Management Administration offices and bringing warehouses in San
Francisco up to habitable standards for those left homeless by the earthquake.
A Seabee Mobile Training Team (MTT) was deployed to Madagascar during
1989. The team consisted of a chief petty officer and 6 enlisted personnel. An
MTT's primary function is to provide training for U.S. or local military or civilian
personnel on specific equipment or trades. This team provided training for the
Malagasy Army on the repair/maintenance/operation of $3.5 million worth of
heavy construction equipment.
In 1990 the Seabees participated in two SOUTH PAC cruises. Both Naval Mobile
Construction Battalion 7 and Underwater Construction Team 2 embarked civic
action detachments on the USS SCHENECTADY and USS FLORIKAN. Port
calls were made in the Marshall, Gilbert, Solomon, and Cook islands, and at
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Papua, New Guinea; Tuvalu, and Tonga. Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 1
participated in the West African Training Cruise (WATC). The battalion embarked
civic action detachments on the USS BARNSTABLE COUNTY which made port
calls at Cape Verde, Senegal, Gambia, and Guinea-Bissau. High praise was
received from all recipients.
When Hurricane "Ofa" struck American Samoa in February 1990, Seabees from
Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 40 and 133 were quickly on the job providing
disaster relief and clean-up on the island of Tutuila.
Devastating floods struck central Tunisia in late January 1990, displacing families
and destroying railroad lines and bridges. As part of Exercise "Atlas Rail," Naval
Mobile Construction Battalion 3's Air Detachment worked jointly with Tunisian
army engineers to repair flood-damaged rail lines. Later, this battalion's Sigonella
detail performed civic action work in Morocco as part of Exercise "African
Hammer."
Seabee History: Operations Desert Shield/Desert Storm
On 2 August 1990 the armed forces of Iraq began the invasion and subsequent conquest
of the Emirate of Kuwait. Under United Nations' auspices, the United States and other
member nations responded by deploying military forces to Saudi Arabia. The immediate
goal was to forestall further Iraqi aggression; the long-range goal was to compel Iraq to
withdraw from Kuwait. The initial allied military undertaking to protect Saudi Arabia
was dubbed Operation "Desert Shield."
Among the U.S. forces deployed to the region was the First Marine Expeditionary
Force. Seabees were to provide construction support for this force. On 7 August
the Seabees began preparations to deploy four battalions to the region: Naval
Mobile Construction Battalion 4, 5, 7, and 40. On 13 August the first Seabees
arrived in Saudi Arabia, an element of Amphibious Construction Battalion 1,
comprising 210 personnel. These men immediately went to work unloading
Marine Corps equipment and supplies from Maritime Pre-positioned Force ships.
During the period 10-20 August, 100 Seabees of Amphibious Construction
Battalion 2 departed Norfolk, Virginia, on amphibious ships bound for the Persian
Gulf. While in the gulf these Seabees participated in numerous exercises with the
Marines to prepare for an amphibious assault in the region.
The second wave of Seabees to arrive were personnel from Construction
Battalion Units 411 and 415; they erected and maintained Fleet Hospital Five, a
500- bed hospital facility at Al Jubail, Saudi Arabia. Both units had female
Officers in Charge, marking a first for the Seabees.
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By 14 September the Air Detachments of the four deploying Seabee battalions
had arrived. Each comprised 89 men and could operate for 30 days with out
resupply. On 27 September NMCB 40's main body arrived in country from Camp
Covington, Guam. By 18 October all the battalion main bodies had reached
Southwest Asia. NMCB 5 arrived from its home port at the Naval Construction
Battalion Center, Port Hueneme, California; and NMCB 4 redeployed from Camp
Moscrip, Puerto Rico. NMCB 7 redeployed from Camp Shields on Okinawa, and,
unlike the other three battalions, was sent to Bahrain. In December NMCB 24, a
reserve unit called to active duty, relieved NMCB 4. That same month, NMCB 5
and 40 were joined by Details 15 and 16 of NMCB 1 which was deployed at
Rota, Spain. The 3rd Naval Construction Regiment, a reserve regiment, was
mobilized to provide command and control over the deployed battalions. By early
February 1991, 2,800 Seabees and 1,375 pieces of equipments had been
deployed to the region in support of Operation "Desert Shield."
Upon their arrival in Saudi Arabia, the Seabees built critically needed facilities at
the four airfields where the Marine Air Combat Element had deployed. This
entailed construction of parking aprons, as well as base camps to house the
Marines pouring into the area. Next, the Seabees built ammunition supply points
for the large amounts of ordnance being transported to the region. Once these
needs were met, the Seabees shifted emphasis to improving living conditions in
the Marine camps.
Base camps were built for the 3rd Marine Air Wing, Marine Air Groups 11, 13, 16
and 26, and the 1st and 2nd Marine Division. In Bahrain, NMCB 7 supported the
Army and Air Force, as well as the Marines. The battalion built strongback tents,
an aviation storage facility, a munitions transfer road, and a 60,000 square foot
aircraft parking apron. In December, NMCB 74 relieved NMCB 7 in Bahrain, and
the latter battalion moved 200 miles north to Ras Al Mishab in Saudi Arabia.
Among major projects completed during Operation "Desert Shield" were a
headquarters complex for the First Marine Expeditionary Force and a 15,000
man camp for the Second Marine Expeditionary Force. The latter project was the
largest wartime multi-battalion Seabee project since the Vietnam War. NMCB 1,
4, 5 (project lead), 7, 24, 40 and 74 worked on the project. Construction began in
late November. The camp comprised six modules, each capable of housing
2,500 men. Each module contained berthing, office space, showers, toilet
facilities, a galley, roads, and parking areas. The completed camp complex was
dubbed "Wally World."
Completing these projects required the Seabees to work seven days a week, two
twelve hour shifts a day. The only days off during the whole period of Seabee
involvement in the Gulf were Thanksgiving and Christmas. The Gulf environment
provided an added challenge for the Seabees. When the first wave of Seabees
arrived in August, the heat was intense, often reaching 1200 F. By the time most
of the Seabee units had arrived in December, the heat had mitigated, daytime
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temperatures in the 70's dropping to the 30's at night. The other major problem
was sand: it got into everything and was particularly hard on equipment.
Operation "Desert Storm," the expulsion of Iraqi forces from Kuwait began in
early 1991. On 16 January 1991 the Allies initiated a massive air campaign
against Iraq. Before it was over, Allied aircraft flew more than 40,000 sorties
against Iraqi targets. At this time planning went forward for the 3rd Naval
Construction Regiment to move into Kuwait in the wake of advancing Allied
forces to open roads and airfields and provide immediate battle-damage repair.
In January 1991 the Marines began to move north in preparation for the expected
ground assault on the Iraqis. In support of this, the Seabees began to
concentrate on building and maintaining roads to serve as the main supply routes
throughout northern Saudi Arabia.
After months of constructing millions of square feet of aircraft aprons, camps for
tens of thousands of Marines, and hundreds of acres of ammunition and supply
points, the Seabees prepared to support the ground assault into Kuwait. NMCB 5
moved half its strength to Al-Kabrit, 30 miles from the Kuwaiti border, and began
construction of a Naval Construction Force Logistics Support Base from which
the Seabees could provide the First Marine Expeditionary Force the construction
support needed during the upcoming assault into Kuwait. The top construction
priorities during this period were water, roads, and facilities for the Marine
division assembly areas. Water was obtained by exploiting already-existing wells,
and the Seabees built galley facilities for the 30,000 Marines of the 1st and 2nd
Marine Divisions. A 40,000 man capacity enemy prisoner of war camp was also
built.
The most formidable task facing the Seabees was the road network required by
General Schwarzkopf's "End Run" attack strategy. Spanning more than 30 miles
of desert from Al-Mishab to Al-Kabrit, the "End Run" strategy ultimately required
more than 200 miles of roads west and north of the Kuwaiti border. Because of
the need to deceive the Iraqis, much of the construction necessary had to be
done at the last minute. Working in the wettest weather seen in Saudi Arabia in
years, Seabees completed the necessary construction in approximately two
weeks. Thousands of trucks moved million of gallons of water and fuel, and tons
of supplies, ammunition and spare parts on this road network to support the two
Marine divisions making the assault. By the time the assault was launched,
Seabees were maintaining approximately 200 miles of roads near the Kuwaiti
border. One of these roads was an east-west corridor from Ras Al Mishab
through Al Kabrit, continuing past Al Qaraah for a total distance of almost 100
miles. This six-lane road was traversed daily by more than 500 heavy haulers
and thousands of tactical vehicles.
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NMCB 5 and 40 relocated to the north and west. From this area, roads to the
border, another well, and a 1,500-foot Remote Piloted Vehicle runway were built.
On the day before the ground assault, Seabees dug in the 1st Marine Division
command element on the border as the division moved into its attack positions.
On G Day, 25 February 1991, the Allies launched a massive ground assault
against the Iraqis. The next day, an advance party from NMCB 5 and 24 entered
Kuwait to prepare positions for the First Marine Expeditionary Force command
element, and to repair airfields, maintain roads, and build more enemy prisoner
of war camps. As the Seabees labored at these tasks, the smoke from hundred
of burning oil wells turned day into dark. On 28 February, the Iraqi, devastated by
the Allied attack, accepted a cease fire and the conflict ended. Construction
ceased, and the Seabees returned to their units just south of the Kuwaiti border.
Thus, ended the largest Seabee military action since the close of the Vietnam
War.
The Gulf War demonstrated the ability of the Naval Construction Force, both
active and reserve, to meet the exigencies of a large-scale military operation. Not
all of the action, however, was in the Persian Gulf. Approximately 60 percent of
the Seabee reserve units called to active duty were sent to other parts of the
world to replace active-duty units sent to the Gulf early in the conflict.
OPERATION "PROVIDE COMFORT"
The Seabees, however, were not finished in Southwest Asia. Following the Iraqi
defeat, the Kurdish minority living in northwestern Iraq rebelled in an attempt to
win independence. The Iraqi government responded harshly and a gigantic
refugee problem developed as hundreds of thousands of Kurds fled their villages
into the mountains. The United Nations intervened to protect the Kurds and an
Allied-occupied, protected enclave was established around Zakho, Iraq. A relief
operation, Operation "Provide Comfort," was launched to provide facilities for the
refugees until they could return to their villages.
On 11 April 1991, Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 133, deployed at Rota,
Spain, was ordered to send its Air Detachment to Zakho. This was followed on
22 April with orders for the battalion to recall all its details and to redeploy its
main body to Zakho. While in Iraq, NMCB 133 was under the tactical command
of the U.S. Army 18th Construction Brigade, consisting of the U.S. Army 94th
Heavy Engineer Battalion, a British Army engineer squadron, a Dutch engineer
battalion, and several smaller U.S. Army logistical units. NMCB 133's camp was
established in a walled compound which was also the headquarters of the 24th
Marine Expeditionary Unit and the 18th Engineer Brigade. The Seabees were
immediately over-tasked and went to a 12-hour day schedule, providing support
to the refugee camps in the area. Work consisted of latrine construction,
electrical and water-well support, road grading, forklift support, berm
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construction, and
wash-rack construction. In general, the work could best be described as
emergency service relief work.
It was originally anticipated that the Seabees would remain at Zakho for three
months. It turned out, however, that they were able to leave after only eight
weeks because during that period upwards of 300,000 Kurds were convinced
that it was safe to return to their homes. The displaced persons camps near
Zakho which had held as many as 60,000 Kurds at the midpoint of the
deployment, saw this number drop to less than 15,000 by the time NMCB 133
departed.
In December 1990 a reserve unit, Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 23, which
had been recalled to active duty on Guam to replace an active-duty battalion sent
to the Gulf War, provided disaster relief in the wake of a severe hurricane, one of
the strongest to hit Guam in recent years.
OPERATION "FIERY VIGIL"
On 15 June 1991 Mt. Pinatubo in the Philippines erupted and poured more than
two cubic kilometers of ash and sand over a 30-mile radius. This eruption was
characterized as one of the most violent of this century. Within the radius of the
eruption was the Subic Bay U.S. Naval Complex and Clarke Air Force Base. The
eruption was followed by Typhoon "Diding" whose torrential rains saturated the
ash and sand, creating dangerous roof loads and many other problems. Thus
began Operation "Fiery Vigil." Seabees from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion
3, and Construction Battalion Maintenance Unit 302, and Public Works Center
civilians provided disaster relief in the form of temporary shelter for those
rendered homeless on the base. They also provided temporary power and
emergency water supplies, and cleared roadways, and aircraft runways. A ship
returning from Operation "Desert Storm" with Seabee equipment was diverted to
Subic Bay and provided much needed equipment. A pre- positioned ship,
carrying equipment for a Marine Air Ground Task Force, was also brought in. The
damage was so severe that 20,000 dependents at Subic Bay and Clarke Air
Force Base were evacuated from the area in the days following the eruption.
Some 400 Seabees from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 4 on Okinawa
were sent to Subic Bay to help with the cleanup. Within 100 days, the Seabees
demolished more than 50 heavily-damaged structures and, removed 250,000
tons of ash, cleared 900,000 square yards of aircraft paving and 75 miles of
roads, restored 35 miles of overhead power distribution lines, cleaned and
restored 750 air conditioning and refrigeration units, and erected 25 replacement
buildings. Working with Public Works Center employees, the Seabees played a
critical role in the rapid recovery of the Subic Bay naval complex.
SEABEE REORGANIZATION
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Since the establishment of the Seabee Reserve after World War II, active and
reserve Seabees, while frequently serving together, were part of two separate
organizational structures. In July 1992 this changed when active and reserve
Seabee units were integrated into two Naval Construction Brigades, under the
operational control of the Commanders in Chief of the Atlantic and Pacific Fleets.
The Commander, Naval Construction Battalions, U.S. Atlantic Fleet; the
Commander, Naval Construction Battalions, U.S. Pacific Fleet, and the 1st
Reserve Naval Construction Brigade were disestablished. In their place were
established the 2nd and 3rd Naval Construction Brigades. In addition, two new
regiments were established: the 22nd Naval Construction Regiment under the
2nd brigade and 30th Naval Construction Regiment under the 3rd brigade. Thus,
each brigade had two active regiments and six reserve regiments. The 2nd Naval
Construction Brigade assumed operational control of three regiments, eight
battalions, one Naval Construction Force Support Unit, and one Construction
Battalion Maintenance Unit. In like fashion, the 3rd Naval Construction Brigade
assumed operational control of three regiments, seven battalions, two support
units, and one maintenance unit. When U.S. forces departed the Philippines in
late 1992, Construction Battalion Maintenance Unit 302 was relocated to Camp
Covington on Guam. It was disestablished there on 20 July 1994.
OPERATION "RESTORE HOPE"
In 1992 famine struck Somalia. The country had been beset by a long period of
civil war which left the central government fragmented and weak. By late 1992
almost 1,000 individuals, many of them children, were dying of starvation daily.
Although relief supplies were pouring into Somalia, they did little to help. Armed
gangs divided the capital and controlled the road system. The food was stolen or
misdirected before it could reach those for whom it was destined. The U.N.
decided to send in a military force to restore order. U.S. military units formed part
of this coalition force and embarked upon Operation "Restore Hope." The
Seabees went ashore to provide construction support to the U.S. contingent. The
primary Seabee tasking was to provide vertical construction support to U.S. and
coalition forces establishing base camps at each of the humanitarian relief sites.
This including building heads, showers, tent decks, strongback tents, and
kitchens. Seabees were also to repair and improve the main supply routes, which
included bridge repairs and shoulder grading to widen roads. Wells were drilled
and a seven-room school house was also constructed. The largest project was at
the Baidoa airstrip which deteriorated as C-130 relief flights increased in the early
part of the operation. This project involved removing 300,000 square feet of
asphalt surface, pulverizing and mixing it with portland cement, and then grading
and compacting the mixture. More than 600,000 square feet of AM2 matting was
also laid for aircraft turnarounds, parking aprons and helopads.
On 10 December 1992 Amphibious Construction Battalion 1 arrived at
Mogadishu as part of the Naval Support Element in Somalia. Within a short time
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ACB 1 unloaded five of the U.S. Marines' Maritime Pre-positioning Force ships,
refurbished the port, and provided fuel and water for military forces in Somalia.
Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 1 and 40 began deploying to Somalia on 10
December. Within 30 days both battalion main bodies had arrived. The 30th
Naval Construction Regiment (Operational) was activated to provide command
and control for the two deployed battalions. By the end of December, Seabees
from NMCB 1 were convoying personnel and equipment to Baledogle, Bardera,
and Baidoa to effect airfield repairs and improvements and construct base camp
facilities for the deploying U.N. coalition forces. The Seabees arrived in
Baledogle on 31 December and joined forces with Marines from Marine Support
Wing Squadron 372 to establish landing and staging areas for CH-53 helicopters
and a taxiway and turnaround pad for C-130 aircraft. The Seabees used 240,000
square feet of AM2 metal matting to construct the facility. Near Bardera, Seabees
from NMCB 1 restored a water source to a refugee camp by installing a new
pump on the bank of the Jubba River. Seabees from NMCB 40 completed
Operation "Clean Sweep" in Mogadishu, which consisted of removing debris
(trash and car hulks) from critical areas of the city. They also prepared a site for a
300-bed Army evacuation hospital and installed 90,000 square feet of airfield at
the Mogadishu airport. NMCB 40 participated in the amphibious landing at the
Port of Kismayo. They quickly completed repairs to the Kismayo airfield, which
allowed the rapid deployment of follow-on coalition forces to that city. Finally, the
Seabees provided construction support for President George Bush's visit to
Somalia on 1 January. In addition to their tasking in support of the coalition
forces, the Seabees carried out numerous civic action projects in support of the
Somali people during the course of Operation "Restore Hope."
By the end of March 1993, the Seabees had successfully completed their support
of Operation "Restore Hope" and returned to their previous deployment sites or
their home ports.
OTHER SEABEE ACTIVITIES IN THE EARLY 1990'S
The Seabees celebrated their 50th anniversary in 1992. Special celebrations and
ceremonies in Washington, DC, and at the construction battalion centers, and
other Seabee activities marked the year. There was an especially large number
of Seabee unit reunions that year which brought together veterans from all the
wars in which the Seabees had served since their inception. In addition to the
celebration, the Seabees continued to perform their normal duties, among which
was disaster relief.
Hurricane "Andrew" struck Dade County, Florida, on the morning of 24 August
1992 inflicting extensive damage. There were few deaths, but more than 100,000
people were left homeless. More than 800 Seabees from Naval Mobile
Construction Battalion 1, 4, 14, Amphibious Construction Battalion 2, and
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Construction Battalion Unit 410, 412, 419, and 420 provided disaster relief by
repairing government buildings and approximately 270 schools.
In 1993 the Seabees participated in a number of events. The 2nd Naval
Construction Brigade was involved in the planning process for potential
peacekeeping operations in the former Yugoslavia. The 2nd brigade and an air
detachment from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 7 were involved in the
United Nations mission in Haiti that year. Seabees from Naval Mobile
Construction Battalion 4, 5, and 7 played a major role in the counter-narcotics
program in South America. Finally, Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 3
participated in disaster recovery efforts on Guam in the wake of an 8.1
earthquake.
In 1994 Seabees provided a wide variety of support including work for the United
Nations field hospital in Zagreb, Croatia; water well drilling teams to Morocco and
Honduras; and nation-building and joint training exercise support to Surinam and
the Dominican Republic. Seabees also participated in the incursion into Haiti.
Specifically, Amphibious Construction Battalion 2 supported U.S. forces deployed
to Port-au-Prince. At the Naval Station, Guam, Seabees carried out extensive
repairs to the Victor Wharf, which had been damaged badly during the
earthquake of the previous year.
In September and October 1995, during the most active hurricane season in
history, Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 5 carried out disaster relief
assistance to the stricken islands of Antigua, St. Thomas, and St. John, after
Hurricanes "Luis" and "Marilyn" savaged the eastern Caribbean. That same year,
Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 7 sent a disaster relief team to Kobe, Japan,
after an earthquake struck that city. The Seabees set up tents and cots at seven
different sites, providing shelter for victims of this tragedy.
HAITIAN AND CUBAN MIGRANT SUPPORT
The highest profile effort of the Seabees in 1994, however, was the support
provided to Haitian and Cuban migrant efforts. This support grew in scope and
extended into 1995. At first, 40 Seabees of Naval Mobile Construction Battalion
74 (deployed to Puerto Rico) were sent to the U.S. Naval Station, Guantanamo
Bay, Cuba, to augment the public works department there. The evacuation of
civilian employees from Guantanamo and the increased support required by Joint
Task Force 160 that had been established there to oversee the migrant operation
necessitated this movement. Next, a Seabee air detachment was dispatched
from Puerto Rico to construct camps at Guantanamo for Haitian and Cuban
migrants. Another air detachment was deployed from Puerto Rico to Grand Turk
for the purpose of constructing additional camps and subsequently was
redeployed to Guantanamo Bay to assist with the growing tasking. Additionally,
Seabees supported Operation "Safe Haven" by constructing camps for Cubans
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migrants in Panama.
The main effort in Cuba was Operation "Sea Signal" during which Joint Task
Force 160 constructed facilities to improve the quality of life of migrants at
Guantanamo. By order of the 2nd Naval Construction Brigade, the 22nd Naval
Construction Regiment (Forward Element) deployed to Guantanamo in
December 1994 with Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 4 and an air
detachment from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 7. As directed by the U.S.
Atlantic Command, the senior leadership of the 22nd Naval Construction
Regiment (Forward Element) met with engineers from the Naval Facilities
Engineering Command's Atlantic Division to develop preliminary designs for the
$35 million Quality of Life Improvement Program for 20,000 Cuban migrants.
The original plan called for the construction of 37 migrant villages arranged in 11
village clusters at two locations: Radio Range and McCalla Field, approximately
seven miles apart. Migrant riots in Panama led to a decision to return 7,000
refugees to Guantanamo Bay; this resulted in both an accelerated construction
schedule and an enlargement of project scope for the Seabees. A detachment
from the Air Force's 820th Red Horse construction unit was mobilized from Nellis
Air Force Base to assist the Seabees. When the project concluded the two tent
cities constructed were capable of housing almost 20,000 people. This multinational, joint-service work-force completed an astonishing 100,000 man-days of
construction effort in a harsh environment while scheduling their construction
projects around the migrants and their daily operations.
All engineering assets of Joint Task Force 160, including 358 Seabees from
Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 4, 70 Seabees from Naval Mobile
Construction Battalion 7, 85 Air Force engineers from the 820th Red Horse
Squadron, 65 Army engineers, 24 Marine Corps engineers, 93 reserve Seabees
on Active Duty for Special Work, 45 active-duty augment Seabees, and 500
Cuban workers reported to the 22nd Naval Construction Regiment (Forward
Element). The Seabees operated in a joint- command environment: they berthed
and messed in an Air Force camp, reported to an Army command, the Joint
Logistics Support Group, and served under a Marine brigadier general who was
joint task force commander.
After numerous scope changes, the final product consisted of two cities on
separate 125 and 150 acre sites. Work in place included the erection of 1,341
strongback tents, 67 concrete block buildings, installation of over 17 miles of
underground piping and 53 miles of electrical cable, batching and placing 11,700
cubic yards of concrete, and the operation of 311 pieces of Civil Engineer
Support Equipment in excess of 72,000 hours and 390,000 miles.
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In July 1995 Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 5 relieved Naval Mobile
Construction Battalion 4 at Guantanamo. Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 5
completed 23,000 man-days of total effort, finishing the $1.6 million, 30,000-meal
per day, migrant galley in only 29 days and designing and constructing a 5,200
square foot stage for a televised MTV concert. Naval Mobile Construction 5
oversaw the Naval Construction Force withdrawal from Guantanamo,
transporting $13 million worth of construction equipment and supplies off the
island.
BOSNIA AND CROATIA SUPPORT
Throughout 1995 the 2nd Naval Construction Brigade maintained a high state of
alert for potential Seabee involvement in Bosnia. As part of the relief operations
in the former Yugoslavian republics, the 2nd Naval Construction Brigade
provided an officer to augment the United Nations High Commissioner for
Refugees staff. This officer functioned as Engineering and Infrastructure Officer
and served in a strictly non-military capacity assisting humanitarian relief
operations.
In support of Joint Task Force "Provide Promise," in March 1995 a 35-person
team from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 3 successfully brought to a close
the Navy's turn at providing public works maintenance and operations functions
at the Joint Fleet Hospital in Zagreb, Croatia.
In October the brigade sent a staff officer to the headquarters of Allied Forces,
South, in Naples, Italy, to help finalize the NATO operations plan for Bosnia.
Liaison Officers from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 133 were dispatched to
the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit aboard the USS WASP and to several
locations in Bosnia, Croatia, Hungary, and Germany.
At the start of 1996 a 170-person detail from NMCB 133 was deployed at the
Sava River crossing at Zupanja, Croatia, constructing the first and highest priority
tent camp of the entire Joint Endeavor Implementation Force (IFOR) operation.
This deployment, which began in December 1995, marked the largest Seabee
airlift in recent times and was the first deployment of Seabees utilizing the Air
Force's C-17 aircraft. After expending 14,900 mandays constructing five tent
camps and numerous sustainment projects, the detail redeployed to Rota, Spain,
on 2 March 1996. The 2nd Naval Construction Brigade maintained a high state of
alert for potential Seabee involvement in the disestablishment of many of these
tent camps.
In September 1996 NMCB 40 continued the mission in Bosnia. A total of 334
personnel with 226 pieces of Civil Engineer Support Equipment (CESE) deployed
to Bosnia on 21 September to disestablish fourteen base camps and complete
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nineteen force sustainment projects, expending 9,600 mandays in the effort. This
marked the largest deployment of Seabees in recent history.
NMCB 40 was midway through a seven-month deployment to Camp Mitchell in
Rota, Spain, when it was ordered to Bosnia. The above-cited CESE equipment
and an additional 100 shipping containers were transported aboard the SS
WILSON to Livorno, Italy. From Livorno the battalion moved via seven trains to
an intermediate staging base at Taszar, Hungary. From there the battalion
moved in four road convoys, escorted by military police, through Croatia, and
down to Colt Base in Bosnia. NMCB 40 accomplished the entire move in three
weeks from the time orders were received. In Bosnia NMCB 40 was under the
orders of the Task Force Eagle Engineering Division. The battalion ultimately
employed more than 400 Seabees in the U.S.-led Multinational Division North to
tear down base camps as part of a withdrawal of U.S. Army troops from the
region. Aside from disestablishment operations, the battalion was tasked with a
variety of collateral projects, including road maintenance on main supply routes
and snow and ice removal. Additionally, the battalion built a bypass road and a
container laydown area in Bosnia; and a ammunition handling area in Croatia.
Finally, with the deployment of the U.S. 1st Infantry Division to the theater,
NMCB 40 was tasked to prepare for sustainment engineering projects at two
base camps that were to remain as consolidation sites in the area.
SEABEE TRAINING IN THE LATE 1990s
Joint Engineer Training-96 (Senegal). JET-96 was an exercise which involved
42 Seabees from NMCB 133, 12 personnel from U.S. Army 3rd Special Forces
Group, and 35 Senegalese Military Engineer Soldiers. The combined forces
completed the construction of a classroom, three barracks buildings, and
renovations to an existing 5,000-square-foot operations building. The project site
was located on the Senegalese Infantry and Air Force Training Center in Thies,
Senegal, and will support U.S. troops in future Joint Combined Exchange
Training (JCET) exercises.
Peaceful Eagle-96 (Albania). To support this JCS exercise, NMCB 40 deployed
39 personnel to Rinas and Biza, Albania. This Detail completed 6 tension fabric
structures, 24 burnout latrines, two 15-foot observation towers, 3 pedestrian
bridges, 16 shave/wash stations, and numerous other small projects. This project
was done in conjunction with Army engineers from the Southern European Task
Force (SETAF) and provided a tremendous opportunity for service
interoperability.
Baltic Challenge-96 (Latvia). BC-96 was the first of the annual In the Spirit of,
Partnership for Peace exercises to be conducted in the three Baltic states of
Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia. Conducted in Latvia, Seabee tasking entailed the
renovation of a three-story barracks left in disrepair. In a short timeframe NMCB
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40 deployed 43 personnel to complete this tasking. The detail completed this
mammoth task in time for the 500 exercise participants to use the barracks for
berthing.
Dynamic Mix-96 (Turkey). NMCB 40 deployed 43 personnel with 33 pieces of
CESE and camp sustainment equipment to support DM-96. This Detail
completed a 15,000 square foot Harrier landing pad under arduous conditions. In
addition, two water wells were driven for the purpose of supporting the Turkish
Air Base. These personnel were deployed directly to Bosnia in support of
Operation Joint Endeavor after the tasking was completed.
New Horizon 96 (El Salvador). NH96 - ES consisted of deploying 46 active-duty
personnel from NMCB 7 and 18 reserve personnel from NMCB 14 to El Salvador
from January 1996 through March 1996. The detail drilled two water wells,
constructed a base camp at La Montana, and constructed a two-room school.
Carib Series/St. Lucia (St. Lucia). The Carib Series exercise in St. Lucia
consisted of 38 active duty personnel from NMCB 7, 25 active-duty personnel
from UCT 1, 24 reserve personnel from NMCB 26, and 16 reserve personnel
from NMCB 24. The detail conducted renovations to existing St. Lucia Coast
Guard Station, constructed a small boat pier, addition of a boat repair facility, and
conducted renovations to Forestiere School.
Carib Series/St. Vincent (St. Vincent). This exercise consisted of 41 active duty
NMCB 7, 24 reserve personnel from NMCB 26, and 24 personnel from NMCB
24. The Detail constructed two-story personnel support facility at St. Vincent
Coast Guard in Calliaqua and conducted renovations at local community center.
Fairwinds 96 (Haiti). This exercise consisted of 57 active duty personnel from
NMCB 7 deployed to Haiti from February 1996 to June 1996. The detail repaired
two schools, constructed one K-Span building, converted 30 strongback tents
into Seahuts, and installed septic tank with leach field.
In August 1996 NMCB 7 redeployed to Haiti with 35 personnel to begin
construction of a 5.5 mile by-pass road. In September 1996 NMCB 74 relieved
NMCB 7 with 40 personnel to continue road construction.
PEACETIME CONSTRUCTION OPERATIONS
NMCB 5, 7 and 74 deployed their main bodies to Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico.
Detail sites were located at Andros Island, Bahamas; Vieques Island, Puerto
Rico; G uantanamo Bay, Cuba; Norfolk, Virginia; and Rodman, Panama. NMCB
7 additionally deployed personnel to Atlanta, Georgia, in support of JTF-Olympics
76
and to Fort Know. Detail site Rodman, Panama, was closed by NMCB 7. NMCB
133 and NMCB 40 deployed their main bodies to Rota, Spain, with details to
Sigonella, Italy; Souda Bay, Greece; Naples, Italy; Edzell, UK; St. Mawgan, UK;
and Thurmont (Camp David), Maryland. The battalions completed over 28,000
man-days of construction during the calendar year.
Seabees from NMCB 1 built two mosques on Guam to support the religious
needs of approximately 2,100 Kurdish evacuees. The mosques were modified
seahuts built of plywood and two-by-fours. NMCB 3 was involved with a number
of taskings on Guam and at several other detail sites from the western U. S. to
Diego Garcia in 1995. While on Guam the battalion's main body participated in
Exercise Kennel Bear, the deployed field exercise for NMCBs operating in the
Pacific Naval Construction force area of operations. The battalion main body
completed a firing maze and was working on K-span buildings for Special
Warfare Group One. Battalion members also operated the concrete and asphalt
batch plants at Orote Point.
On Diego Garcia NMCB 3 constructed housing for contractors hired by the base.
Battalion personnel also made repairs to the chapel and the library.
The NMCB-3 detail Southwest Asia installed camp lighting and a loading ramp in
Doha, Qatar.
At the Naval Air Station, Fallon, Nevada, NMCB 3 personnel constructed a
recycling compound and a supply warehouse.
A 70-person detail was posted in the San Diego area, working on projects at the
Naval Air Station North Island, Naval Amphibious Base Coronado, and Naval Air
Station San Diego. Seabees in these southern California areas stayed busy with
a host of taskings aimed at improving fleet readiness and quality of life for sailors
stationed there.
Nearly two years have passed since NMCB 5 last occupied Camp Shields, near
Kadena Air Base on Okinawa, Japan. As part of their normal rotation cycle,
NMCB 5 arrived on island to relieve NMCB 4 in the role of providing construction
support to the region.
During the deployment, NMCB 5 constructed several projects at Marine Corps
Air Station Futenma, Kadena Air Base and the Marine Station and Camp
Schaulb. The Seabees were also be tasked with building a retaining wall at White
Beach and a seawall at Awase in addition to continuing the road improvement
77
project at the Northern Training Area and various other Commanding Officer
discretionary projects in the local area.
The unit will be deployed to the region for seven months with detail sites at
Sasebo, Iwakuni, Yokosuka and Atsugi, Japan; Pohang, Korea; and Pearl
Harbor, Hawaii. The Battalion also has a Deployment for Training (DFT) unit in
northern South Korea and a Civic Action Team on (CAT) the island of Pohnpei.
NMCB 5 continued to demonstrate outstanding support to fleet activities.
NMCB 4 completed its 1996 Pacific deployment in September. While deployed,
the Battalion was headquartered at Camp Shields, Okinawa, Japan, and
maintained details in Sasebo, Iwakuni, Yokosuka and Atsugi, Japan; Pohang,
Chinhae, Osan and Kwang-Ju, Korea; Hawaii; and Adak, Alaska.
During its deployment, the battalion was responsible for a significant number of
construction projects that will benefit the customer activities for years to come.
On Okinawa the Seabees constructed a building addition for the Marines of
Camp Futenma, installed an underground water main at the White Beach
Recreation
Area, and made major progress on a road construction project at the Marines
Northern Training Area.
Operation "Cobra Gold." Long after U.S. Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and Airmen
packed their gear and departed Thailand following Exercise Cobra Gold `96
closing ceremonies, the impact of their visit on the Thai people will endure.
Six South Malay Peninsula villages were recipients of Cobra Gold `96
Engineering Civic Action Projects (ENCAP). Each project consisted of a generic
building design modified to meet the needs of a particular community. The 8 by
20 meter buildings included: two child care centers; a school cafeteria; a craft
center; and a school auditorium. At two of the sites, latrines were built in addition
to the main project. Construction took about three weeks each. The 3rd Naval
Construction Brigade oversaw the six projects along with 91 U.S. Navy and
Marine Corps Engineers and 50 Thai military construction engineers. There were
54 Seabees involved in the exercise, 14 from NMCB 18, 38 from NMCB 4, and
37 Marines from the 9th Engineer Support Battalion, Okinawa.
The projects were grouped into three northern projects in Nakhon Si Thammarat
Province and three projects in Shingkhla Province to facilitate supporting the
sites with food, water and building supplies. The projects were selected from Thai
nominations based on budget, ability to support village need, and engineering
training value. The total cost of all the projects came to about $175,000, including
the material and labor value. The funds were provided by U.S. Commander in
78
Chief, Pacific (USCINCPAC), under the Humanitarian and Civic Assistance
Program. All materials were purchased from Thai contractors.
Because of fairly primitive conditions in many of the villages, the engineers faced
an eye opening experience in working and living in harsh field conditions. At the
Ban Rai construction site, they were challenged by the oppressive heat, torrential
rains and knee-deep mud, which combined to cause several days of setbacks.
But these hardships were more than offset by the Thai's hospitality.
Six Thai villages received new buildings their entire communities can use and
appreciate for years to come. For the engineers, they departed Thailand with a
keen sense of accomplishment and a feeling of having made a significant
contribution to the welfare of the villagers they met during their time in Thailand.
The Seabee deployment to the former Yugoslavia and routine deployments,
training exercises, and civic action projects were characteristic of the 1995-1996
period. With the Cold War over, by the late-1990s the Seabees were involved in
providing support to various United Nations undertakings, participating in Navy
and joint-service training exercises, and performing disaster relief and civic
action. No matter what the situation, however, you can be sure of one thing:
when the toughest, dirtiest, meanest, most impossible construction jobs in the
world come up, the Seabees will be sent because they "Can Do!"
What is so important about this day, especially to Seabees?
When the planes of the Japanese Navy attacked Pearl Harbor and other military installations in
Hawaii on December 7, 1941, killing more than 2,000 Americans and gutting the US Pacific fleet,
America declared war on Japan. Neither Germany nor Italy was bound to support their axis
partner, but both did so on December 11, 1941. This involved the US in a truly global war. At its
outset, the Navy had 284,427 seaman and 347 war ships. Before the war was over the US would
have 15,144,306 personnel in uniform.
In October 1941, Rear Admiral Ben Moreell, Chief of the Navy's Bureau of Yards and Docks
initiated the groundwork for a Naval Construction Force. This was in anticipation of the Military
crisis developing on the two ocean fronts. Then almost Immediately after the attack on pearl
harbor December 7 1941 Adm. Moreell was authorized to form construction battalions that would
work as integrated teams to meet the construction needs of other military operations. Currently
there are 8,393 active duty Seabees. However, before the end of World War II the number of
Seabees counted over 325,000, average age during the war was mid thirties.
Contributions the Seabees made during the war.....111 major airstrips, 441 piers, over 2,500
ammunition magazines, hospital capacity for 70,000 patients, 700 square blocks of warehouses,
housing for a million and a half troops, and storage tanks holding one hundred million gallons of
fuel! That incredible amount of dangerous construction work, and the combat that often went with
it, cost the Seabees over 300 lives, and earned them more than 2,000 Purple Hearts. Spread
across four continents, millions of square miles of ocean, and over 300 islands, the Seabees built
their way to victory.
So today is an important day in the history of our Country, our Navy, and the SEABEES!
79
Very Respectfully,
UT2(SCW) Bailey
NMCB SEVEN
Seabee Combat Warfare
Assistant Program Administrator
80
Seabees
A Guide to the Capabilities,
Organization and History of the
Military’s Construction Force of Choice
81
Table of Contents
Vision/Mission .......................................................................................................................................................1
The U.S. Navy Seabees ..........................................................................................................................................2
Units .......................................................................................................................................................................4
NMCB Detachments/Teams ..................................................................................................................................7
NMCB Forward EngagementDetachment Scenarios ..........................................................................................8
Modular TOA Components ...................................................................................................................................9
Definitions............................................................................................................................................................ 10
NCF Organization ............................................................................................................................................... 12
NCF Unit Locations ............................................................................................................................................ 14
External Organization ......................................................................................................................................... 16
Seabee Construction Rates .................................................................................................................................. 17
Seabee Support Rates .......................................................................................................................................... 18
Other Seabee Assignments .................................................................................................................................. 22
Active/Reserve Integration .................................................................................................................................. 23
Training ............................................................................................................................................................... 24
Readiness ............................................................................................................................................................. 26
Homeport/Mainbody Sites ................................................................................................................................... 26
Detail Sites ........................................................................................................................................................... 27
Special Topics ...................................................................................................................................................... 27
Seabee History ..................................................................................................................................................... 29
Annex ................................................................................................................................................................... 32
i
Vision/Mission
The Vision
We are the Seabees. We build and we fight.
We are a professional team of well-trained and fully equipped Seabees providing quality
construction and repair services to our customers. We are the combat ready construction force of
choice in joint and contingency operations and a critical element of naval forward presence. We
continually improve our capabilities to deliver quality, timely, cost-effective engineer services to
operational commanders. The quality of life for our integrated active and reserve force is
recognized as one of the best in the Navy. We are an integral member of the Navy and Marine
Corps Team.
The Mission
With compassion for others -- we build, we fight -- for peace with freedom. We provide the Navy,
Marine Corps, Unified CINCs and others with rapid contingency response, quality construction,
and disaster recovery support and humanitarian assistance.
We accomplish this through expeditionary units, which are rapidly deployable, interoperable, selfsustaining, and capable of conducting defensive military operations.
1
The U.S. Navy Seabees
Navy and Marine Corps operations place heavy demands on the mobility of
combat units and on the response capability of the logistic pipeline supporting
them. These demands create a requirement for rapid, mobile engineer support to
assure a responsive and effective means of establishing and maintaining
personnel and material flow to forward areas. Bridging the sea-land interface
remains one of the critical steps in establishing the logistic flow to forward
combat units. Sustained logistics operations to supporting combat forces require
establishing logistics support facilities as early as possible. Hence, an effective
engineer force, maintained in a high state of readiness is essential to construct,
operate, and maintain these logistic facilities. In addition, there is a continual
requirement for tactical construction support of combat forces engaged in a
forward area.
Therefore, a critical requirement exists for a responsive, mobile, modern,
versatile engineer force to accomplish diverse tasks ranging from timber bunker
construction in combat environments to construction and/or operation of ports,
airfields and logistics bases in support of Naval Operating Forces and the
logistics pipeline. This is the mission of the U.S. Navy Seabees.
In carrying out this mission, Seabees provide the following:

Responsive military construction support to Naval, Fleet Marine, and other
Military Forces.

Military and amphibious assault construction support to Naval, Marine, and
other forces in military operations.

Disaster preparation and recovery, including furnishing of assistance to
civilian agencies, under conditions of emergency, disaster or catastrophe
caused by enemy action or natural causes.

Forces for civic action that complement the military, social, and psychological
programs of the Department of Defense and other government agency
missions.
During peacetime, Seabees provide a wide range of engineering and construction services to
Navy, Marine forces and other military units. Since Seabee labor is paid from military pay
accounts, Seabees provide an economic alternative for bases to accomplish operations and
maintenance facility construction and repair and can also leverage an activity's self-help effort.
Providing facility construction support is consistent with maintaining Seabee readiness since
working peacetime projects develops and maintains construction and project management skills.
Consequently, completing safe and high quality peacetime construction projects for Navy, Marine
and other activities is in the mutual interest of the activity and the Seabees.
2
Relevant
Because of their skills, mobility and versatility, U.S. Navy Seabees are an integral part of many of
today's military operations from warfighting to humanitarian efforts. Seabees maintain a forward
presence by deploying Naval Mobile Construction Battalions (NMCBs) to four primary sites:
Guam; Rota, Spain; Okinawa, Japan; and Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico. The assignment of
active NMCBs to forward deployed sites provides Joint Commanders in Chief (CINCs) with Naval
Construction Force (NCF) support as specified by the "Forces For" document. This forward
presence provides Seabees the capability to quickly respond to emergent situations and be on
site within days of notification. NMCBs can tailor their personnel and equipment resources to
meet multiple and simultaneous missions through deployment of smaller, self-contained and selfsufficient detachments. This flexibility in combination with the NCF’s air mobility and wide range
of construction expertise, make the Seabees uniquely suited for today’s joint operating
environment. Seabees are the military construction engineers of choice.
Ready
Seabees are highly mobile. Air detachments can mobilize within 48 hours of notification, and a
forward deployed battalion can mobilize and deploy within six days. Equipped with their own
galley, administrative and logistics support, Seabees are self-sufficient and can be quickly tasked
to meet a wide variety of engineering missions. The seven-month training/seven-month
deployment cycle allows the eight active NMCBs to maintain and hone their technical and military
skills while meeting the Joint CINCs forward deployment needs.
Capable
Uniquely suited to perform a wide range of construction missions, Seabees bring to the table a
wide range of vertical and horizontal construction capabilities, from building roads, water wells
and combat bridging to basic steel, concrete and timber construction. Combined with their
tactical military skills and defensive capabilities, Seabees are the ideal expeditionary construction
force.
3
Units
Naval Construction Brigade
A Naval Construction Brigade (NCB) is a non-deployable unit that provides
administrative and operational control of two or more Naval Construction
Regiments in a specific geographic area or in support of a specific military
operation. The NCB provides initial review of plans, programs and construction
capabilities; assigns priorities and deadlines; and redistributes resources. There
are two NCBs, one for the Atlantic Fleet, and one for the Pacific Fleet.
Naval Construction Regiment
Naval Construction Regiments (NCRs) provide administrative and operational
control of two or more Naval Mobile Construction Battalions or other Naval
Construction Force units operating in a specific geographic area or operating in
support of a specific military operation. A regiment normally consists of the
Commander, the regimental staff and battalions assigned. There are eight NCRs,
two active training regiments, two active operational regiments and four reserve
operational regiments.
Naval Mobile Construction Battalion
Naval Mobile Construction Battalions (NMCBs) provide responsive military
construction to Navy, Marine Corps and other forces during military operations.
NMCBs are capable of constructing a variety of base facilities and conducting
defensive operations. In addition to standard wood, steel, masonry, concrete
and horizontal construction, NMCBs also perform specialized construction such
as water well drilling and battle damage repair. They are able to work and defend
themselves at remote construction sites and convoy through unsecured areas. In
times of emergency or disaster, NMCBs conduct disaster control and recovery
operations. Full wartime manning for an NMCB is 769 personnel, and peacetime
manning is 602 personnel. Each active NMCB has a reserve augment of 149
personnel, which may be activated through presidential recall. There are eight
active and 12 reserve NMCBs.
Amphibious Construction Battalion
The Amphibious Construction Battalions (PHIBCBs) provide over-the-shore
logistics movement and construction support to amphibious forces. They are
part of the Naval Support Element (NSE) and report to the Naval Beach
Group. The Naval Beach Group is responsible for in-stream offloading of
maritime ships in support of amphibious military operations. The PHIBCB
possesses heavy construction and automotive equipment, floating and
elevated causeways to facilitate ship to shore off load, tentage for a 1,200person camp, horizontal capability for beach operations in austere
environments, equipment for the receipt storage and distribution of fuel and
water, and provides the material handling capability from the ship to shore
causeway to and on the beach. Manning at full wartime strength is about
4
900, which includes a reserve augment of about 500. There are two active
ACBs.
Construction Battalion Unit
Construction Battalion Units (CBUs) have 40 personnel, plus a 10-person
reserve augment, and provide minor construction work at various Naval bases
during peacetime. Their wartime mission is to erect and provide public works
support to Fleet Hospitals. They are capable of erecting a combat zone fleet
hospital within 10 days. There are 19 active CBUs, with a requirement of two
CBUs per fleet hospital.
Underwater Construction Team
An Underwater Construction Team (UCT) has 59 personnel, plus a 30-person
reserve augment, and provides construction, inspection and repair of ocean
facilities such as wharves, piers, underwater pipelines, moorings, boat ramps,
etc. It is capable of performing dives to 190 feet using scuba or surface supplied
air to perform work underwater. There are two active UCTs.
Naval Construction Force Support Unit
The Naval Construction Force Support Unit (NCFSU) provides augment
horizontal construction, engineering, construction material and specialized
equipment support for a Naval Construction Regiment and other units. A reserve
unit, it has 218 personnel. There are two NCFSUs.
Construction Battalion Maintenance Unit
The Construction Battalion Maintenance Unit (CBMU) provides public works
functions at advanced bases during wartime or contingency environments. A reserve
unit, it has 336 personnel. There are two CBMUs.
Civic Action Team
A Civic Action Team (CAT) is a small, highly mobile, air transportable construction
unit that can be tailored to accomplish a variety of construction tasks. The standard
composition is one CEC officer and 12 petty officers. Tasks assigned to CATs
include constructing expeditionary roads and bridges; clearing forested areas; drilling
water wells; digging irrigation canals; and building and repairing schools and public
buildings.
Detail
A Detail (Det) is a small unit detached from a Naval Mobile Construction Battalion
to operate at various locations remote from the mainbody site. These details are
formed to accomplish a specific mission or task. Due to their remote location,
they are organized to contain all required resources, such as tools, materials,
equipment and personnel to accomplish the mission.
Detachment
5
A Detachment (Det) is a small unit detached from a deployed battalion and the same
as a Detail except that Operational Control is provided by a command other than the
unit's battalion. Administrative control remains with the parent
battalion or unit.
6
NMCB Detachments/Teams
Air Detachment
An Air Detachment (Air Det) is an advance element of a Naval Mobile
Construction Battalion (NMCB), generally with two officers and 87 enlisted
personnel, and deployed from the main body of the NMCB to rapidly perform
construction and engineering operations. The Air Det is specifically organized,
trained and equipped for rapid deployment via strategic air assets provided by
others to perform engineer planning and light to medium horizontal, vertical and
specialized construction. The Air Det is also capable of supporting the short-term
engineer requirements of forward deployed Marine Expeditionary Units.
Reinforced Air Detachment
The Reinforced Air Det is the standard Air Det expanded to include up to 150
personnel from the mainbody of the NMCB and capable of providing increased
construction and engineer support, tailored to and dependent upon the
operational scenario.
Operations Detachment
Deployed via air or sea, the Operations Detachment (Ops Det) is a detail of up to
125 personnel deployed from the main body of the NMCB to perform light to
medium construction and engineer support.
Reinforced Operations Detachment
The Reinforced Operations Detachment is the standard Ops Det expanded to
include up to 250 personnel from the main body of the NMCB and capable of
providing increased construction and engineering support, tailored to and
dependent upon the operational scenario.
Limited Operations Detachment
The Limited Ops Det is a smaller Ops Det, typically with 30 personnel deployed
from the main body of the NMCB and able to perform light construction and
engineering support.
Engagement Team
The Engagement Team is a detail of up to 15 personnel deployed from the main
body of the NMCB for task-specific light construction projects that are
accomplished within 30-120 days.
Training Team
The Training Team is a detail of approximately five personnel deployed from the
main body to provide training and oversight of task-specific construction and
engineering projects performed by others.
7
NMCB Forward Engagement
Detachment Scenarios
This table summarizes the various detachment and detail scenarios a single NMCB may be tasked to provide.
Example: Under Scenario 3, a single NMCB could support and provide command and control for their Main Body
plus one Air Det, four Limited Ops Dets, and two Engagement Teams.
Scenario 1
Scenario 2
Major
Contingency
Scenario 3
Standard
Deployment
Scenario 4
Deployment +
Natural
Disaster
Scenario 5
Forward
Engagement
Main Body: 250-350
Personnel
1
1
1
1
Reinforced Ops Det: 250
Personnel
1
1
2
1
4
3
3
2
2
5
Force Structure
Major Crisis
Core NMCB: 600+/Personnel
1
Reinforced Air Det: 150
Personnel
1
Air / Ops Det: 90-150
Personnel
Limited Ops Det: 30
Personnel
Engagement Team: 15
Personnel
Training Team: 5 Personnel
1
3
8
Modular TOA Components
Three of the 20 Naval Construction Battalion Table of Allowances (TOAs) are
configured for maritime prepositioning within the three existing strategically
deployed Marine Corps Maritime Prepositioning Force (MPF) Squadrons that
support the Marine Air Ground Task Force (MAGTF). The TOA is configured
and spread loaded on three ships within the squadron in support modules that
can be deployed in various sizes to assist the MAGTF commander in
expeditionary engineering support missions.
Core Echelon
The building block component of the new, modular NMCB Table of Allowance
(TOA) designed for the Maritime Prepositioning Force (MPF), there are three
Core Echelons in a P-25M or MPF NMCB TOA, each containing enough tools,
vehicles, tents and associated equipment for 250 Seabees.
Basic Echelon
A component of the new, modular NMCB TOA for the MPF, this component
provides additional equipment, tools and infrastructure to support vertical
construction efforts of a 300-350-person main body.
Heavy Echelon
A component of the new, modular NMCB TOA for the MPF designed to support
extensive vertical and horizontal construction efforts by a reinforced operations
detachment.
Fly-in Echelon
A component of the new, modular NMCB TOA for MPF, the Fly-in Echelon (FIE)
contains 782 gear, personal weapons, tactical communication gear and
equipment required to support personnel upon their initial arrival in country.
MPF Survey Liaison Reconnaissance Party
The Maritime Prepositioning Force (MPF) Survey Liaison Reconnaissance Party
(SLRP) is a detachment of personnel who deploy with the lead element in
support of an MPF operation to receive NMCB gear. The size of the SLRP
typically ranges from three to eight personnel.
MPF Advance Party
The MPF Advance Party (AP) is the advance element of an NMCB that supports
the Marine Air Ground Task Force (MAGTF) in the MPF offload.
MPF Offload Preparation Party
The MPF Offload Preparation Party (OPP) deploys to the MPF Squadron four
days prior to offload to prepare equipment for debarkation.
9
Definitions
Administrative Control (ADCON)
ADCON is the administrative control over subordinate or other organizations with
respect to administration and support, including organization of Naval forces,
control of resources and equipment, personnel management, unit logistics,
individual and unit training, readiness, mobilization, demobilization, discipline and
other matters not included in operational missions. Specifically included in
ADCON are command of peacetime support and employment of NCF forces and
readiness reporting.
Chemical, Biological and Radiological (CBR)
Although chemical and biological warfare has been outlawed by international agreements, the
potential for such warfare is real. Likewise, radiological or nuclear warfare is also a potential
threat. Therefore, Seabees must be trained to take necessary action during a CBR attack and be
able to perform their assigned mission in a CBR-contaminated environment.
CIVMIL Program
Established in 1993, the Civil-Military (CIVMIL) Innovative Readiness Program (IRT) is designed
to enhance military readiness while assisting communities with important domestic needs. Many
community service projects present an excellent opportunity to meet training needs while
providing important services to our society. The projects encourage cooperation between the
civilian and military sectors, enhance training and morale through meaningful community
involvement, and improve conditions in areas within reach of existing military assets.
Deployment For Training (DFT)
DFTs are deployments to austere environments to engage in expeditionary contingency
construction training.
Exercise Related Construction (ERC)
ERC projects are minor military construction authorized and funded as necessary to support JCS
exercises.
Humanitarian and Civic Action (H/CA)
H/CA projects are activities which serve the basic economic and social needs of the people of the
country to which deployed, such as constructing roads, drilling water wells and building or
repairing public facilities.
Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) Exercise
JCS Exercises are Joint Force deployments that exercise Operations Plans (OPLANS) or
contribute to nation building operations.
Marine Air/Ground Task Force (MAGTF)
A MAGTF is a task organization of Marine forces under a single command and structured to
accomplish a specific mission. If a significant amount of engineer support is required to support
the mission, a task-organized Seabee unit may be requested.
Naval Expeditionary Engineering Force (NEEF)
The Naval Expeditionary Engineering Force is a modernization and interoperability equipment
upgrade initiative. This OPN procurement programs equipment modernization requirements over
a 10-year period (eight battalions in this FYDP). This initiative was developed as a response to
reduced modernization funding during the POM process. There is a requirement for $15.5 million
per battalion ($11.1 M CESE and $4.2M non-CESE) to maintain the equipment modernization
process.
10
Operational Control (OPCON)
OPCON is the operational control inherent in Combatant Command and is the authority to
perform those functions of command over subordinate forces involving organizing and employing
commands of forces, assigning tasks, designating objectives, and giving authoritative direction
necessary to accomplish the mission assigned to the command. Only the COCOM chain of
command or National Command Authority delegates OPCON.
Table of Allowance (TOA)
The Table of Allowance is the primary authorized allowance document for the Naval Construction
Force, which lists equipment, material and facilities. Allowances are approved by the Chief of
Naval Operations and are designed to support the performance of a unit's mission during
contingency, wartime and disaster recovery operations. This equipment, as well as specialized
augment tools and equipment, is also routinely used in support of peacetime training and
construction. The TOA can be task-tailored to meet the requirements of specific missions.
Tactical Control (TACON)
TACON is the command authority over subordinate forces that is limited to the detailed and
usually local direction and control of movements or maneuvers necessary to accomplish assigned
missions. TACON provides authority to give direction for military operations and to control
designated forces. It is typically exercised by functional component commanders over military
capability or forces made available to the functional component for tasking.
11
NCF Organization
The Naval Construction Force (NCF) consists of commissioned units of the Navy
operating forces that are under control of the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO).
The CNO commissions Naval Construction Force units, assigns them to the
Fleet, and approves their deployment. He also defines the general mission,
approves personnel allowance lists, establishes detachment sites, and approves
the NMCB table of allowance (TOA), except for small arms, weapons, and
landing party equipment allowances.
The Commanders in Chief of the Atlantic and Pacific Fleets are charged with
ensuring that NMCB deployments and assigned projects follow CNO policies.
They exercise command or operational and administrative control of the NCF
units assigned to their command.
Under the Commanders in Chief of the Fleets, various Type Commanders
command all the ships or units of a certain type. Commander, Second Naval
Construction Brigade (Norfolk) and Commander, Third Naval Construction
Brigade (Pearl Harbor) have been established as representatives of the
Commander in Chief, U.S. Atlantic Fleet and the Commander in Chief, U.S.
Pacific Fleet, respectively, to exercise command and administrative control over
assigned Seabee units. Much of this control is exercised through the homeport
Naval Construction Regiment (NCR). The homeport NCR trains and supports
brigade units, including active and reserve NMCBs, CBUs, NCFUs andCBMUs.
For active duty battalions, this support includes providing military, technical and
special Seabee training to assist them in becoming completely self-sufficient and
capable of deploying and accomplishing a mission anywhere in the world. The
homeport NCR receives, processes and trains new personnel in transit to
deployed battalions and receives personnel from battalions for processing for
release from active duty or reassignment to new duty stations.
The Chief of Naval Operations may establish Naval Construction Regiments and
Naval Construction Brigades (NCBs) to meet certain command requirements in
particular geographic areas or situations. Operational regiments consist of two or
more NMCBs under one commander; a brigade is made up of two or more
regiments under one commander. The mission of the operational brigades and
regiments is different from the mission of the homeport regiments. Operational
regiments and brigades are primary planning groups and exist as subdivisions of
the military command, exercising the administrative and operational control to
meet specific operational requirements.
Each brigade also has both administrative and operational control of
Construction Battalion Units. Apart from the brigade chains of command, there
are two Amphibious Construction Battalions, which are part of the Naval Support
Element and report to the Fleet Commander via the Beach Group.
12
Current Number of Units
Active
Reserve
Naval Construction Brigade
2
Naval Construction Regiment
4
4
Naval Mobile Construction Battalion
8
12
Naval Construction Force Support Unit
2
Construction Battalion Maintenance Unit
2
2
Underwater Construction Team
19
Construction Battalion Unit
19
2
Amphibious Construction Battalion
Battalion Organization
Commanding
Officer
Cmd Master Chief
Military Advisor
Safety Officer
Executive
Officer
Special Staff
S-1
S-2
S-3
S-4
S-6
S-7
Admin
Intel
Ops
Logistics
Info
Plans
X-1Chaplain
X-2 Medical
X-3 Legal
X-4 Dental
Headquarters
Company
Alfa
Company
Bravo
Company
Charlie
Company
(Equipment/
Horizontal Const.)
(Utilities/Camp
Maintenance)
(Vertical Const.)
Remote
Details
13
NCF Unit Locations
2nd NCR
NMCB 25
NMCB 18
CBU 401
CBU 417
CBU 418
CBU 421
NMCB 15
NMCB 26
CBU 416
CBMU 303
31st NCR
NMCB 3
NMCB 4
NMCB 5
NMCB 40
NCFSU2
CBU 406
NMCB 27
7th NCR
CBU 414
CBMU 202
NMCB 21
CBU 422
CBU 2NCB
403
CBU 427
CBU 405
ACB 1
3rd NCB
30th NCR
CBU 413
NMCB
23
CBU
NMCB 17
NMCB 22
9th NCR
NMCB 26
NCFSU 3
NMCB 24
NMCB 14
20th NCR
CBU 410
NMCB 1
CBU 420
NMCB 7
NMCB 74
NMCB 133
CBU 412
411
CBU 415
CBU 423
UCT 1
ACB 2
CBU 402
Second Naval Construction Brigade
Norfolk, VA
Third Naval Construction Regiment
Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 14
Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 23
Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 24
Naval Construction Force Support Unit 3
Atlanta, GA
Jacksonville, FL
Ft. Belvoir, VA
Huntsville, AL
Columbia, SC (will move to Gulfport, MS, in FY2000)
Seventh Naval Construction Regiment
Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 21
Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 26
Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 27
Construction Battalion Maint. Unit 202
Newport, R.I
Lakehurst, NJ
Detroit, MI
Brunswick, ME
New London, CT
Twentieth Naval Construction Regiment
Gulfport, MS
Twenty-Second Naval Construction Regiment
Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 1
Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 7
Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 74
Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 133
Underwater Construction Team 1
Little Creek, VA
Gulfport, MS
Gulfport, MS
Gulfport, MS
Gulfport, MS
Little Creek, VA
Construction Battalion Unit 402
Construction Battalion Unit 403
Construction Battalion Unit 410
Construction Battalion Unit 411
Construction Battalion Unit 412
Construction Battalion Unit 414
Construction Battalion Unit 415
Construction Battalion Unit 420
Construction Battalion Unit 422
Key West, FL
Annapolis, MD
Jacksonville, FL
Norfolk, VA
Kings Bay, GA
Groton, CT
Oceana, VA
Mayport, FL
Washington, DC
14
Construction Battalion Unit 423
Little Creek, VA
Third Naval Construction Brigade
Pearl Harbor, HI
First Naval Construction Regiment
Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 17
Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 18
Naval Construction Force Support Unit 2
Construction Battalion Maint. Unit 303
Port Hueneme, CA
Fort Carson, CO
Ft. Lewis, WA
Port Hueneme, CA
San Diego, CA
Ninth Naval Construction Regiment
Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 15
Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 22
Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 25
Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 28
Ft. Worth, TX
Kansas City, MO
Ft. Worth, TX
Ft. McCoy, WI
Shreveport, LA
Thirtieth Naval Construction Regiment
Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 3
Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 4
Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 5
Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 40
Underwater Construction Team 2
Pearl Harbor, HI
Port Hueneme, CA
Port Hueneme, CA
Port Hueneme, CA
Port Hueneme, CA
Port Hueneme, CA
Construction Battalion Unit 401
Construction Battalion Unit 405
Construction Battalion Unit 406
Construction Battalion Unit 413
Construction Battalion Unit 416
Construction Battalion Unit 417
Construction Battalion Unit 418
Construction Battalion Unit 421
Construction Battalion Unit 427
Great Lakes, IL
North Island, CA
Lemoore, CA
Pearl Harbor, HI
Fallon, NV
Whidbey Island, WA
Bangor, WA
Everette, WA
San Diego, CA
Thirty-First Naval Construction Regiment
Port Hueneme, CA
Beach Group 1
Amphibious Construction Battalion 1
San Diego, CA
Beach Group 2
Amphibious Construction Battalion 2
Little Creek, VA
15
External Organization
Civil Engineer Corps Officers School
U.S. Naval School, Civil Engineer Corps Officers (CECOS) is located at NCBC Port Hueneme
CA. The school provides educational services to CEC officers on subjects such as planning,
design, acquisition, construction, maintenance, environment, natural resources, energy and
disposal as well as Seabee construction management and warfare specialties.
Naval Construction Battalion Centers
Naval Construction Battalion Centers (NCBCs) are shore stations equipped and staffed to
support the NCF. The NCBC mission is five-fold: operate a Naval Base; support deployed
Seabees; operate strategic storage site; support mobilization and reserves; and support
amphibious forces. Each NCBC has a supply and fiscal department and a construction
equipment department that furnishes intermediate level maintenance for units of automotive and
construction equipment. This type of maintenance uses facilities that are not readily available at
the battalion level. The NCBC receives, preserves, stores, accounts for and issues advanced
base material and equipment. There are two NCBCs, one at Port Hueneme, CA, the other at
Gulfport, MS.
Naval Construction Training Centers
Naval Construction Training Centers (NCTCs) are tenant commands of the NCBCs and provide
training schools for NMCB personnel.
Naval Facilities Engineering Command
Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) provides support for the NCF in the general
area of shore facilities and related material and equipment. The commander of NAVFAC serves
as technical advisor to the CNO on NCF matters and to the Chief of Naval Personnel on CEC
officer and Seabee personnel matters.
Seabee Logistics Center
The Seabee Logistics Center (SLC) is located at the Naval Construction Battalion Center, Port
Hueneme, CA. The primary goal of this office is to provide a disciplined approach to global
management of Naval Construction Force (NCF) assets, which focuses on improving war-fighting
readiness. A staff of approximately 75 CEC/Supply Officers, civilian, and senior enlisted
personnel support this goal. The Business Management staff provides budget and administrative
support to the center while Operations personnel provide a wide range of logistics support to the
NCF and other customers.
16
Seabee Construction Rates
Builder (BU)
Builders make up a large segment of the Naval Construction Force. They perform tasks required
for construction, maintenance and repair of wooden, concrete pavement and waterfront and
underwater structures; initiate procurement and direct storage of building materials; form and
direct efforts of crews to perform rough and finished carpentry; erect/repair waterfront structures,
wooden and concrete bridges and trestles; fabricate and erect forms; mix, place and finish
concrete; lay or set masonry; paint and/or varnish new and refinished surfaces; and maintain
individual combat readiness and perform tasks required in combat and disaster preparedness or
recovery operations.
Construction Electrician (CE)
Construction Electricians install and repair interior wiring, overhead and underground primary and
secondary distribution systems; setup, operate and service electrical equipment; climb poles and
towers utilizing lineman's equipment; attach and service electrical equipment, (e.g. transformers,
switching equipment, motors, motor controllers, controls and electrical system) and perform tasks
required in combat and disaster preparedness or recovery operations.
Construction Mechanic (CM)
Construction Mechanics perform tasks involved in maintenance, repair and overhaul of
automotive, materials-handling and construction equipment; assign and supervise activities of
assistants who locate, analyze and correct malfunctions in equipment and issue repair parts;
maintain records; prepare requisitions and reports; train assistants in repair procedures and
techniques; and maintain individual combat readiness and perform tasks required in combat and
disaster preparedness or recovery operations.
Engineering Aide (EA)
Engineering Aides plan, supervise and perform tasks required in construction
surveying, construction drafting, planning and estimating and quality control;
prepare progress reports, time records, construction schedules and material and
labor estimates; establish/operate a basic quality control system for testing soils,
concrete and bituminous materials; prepare, edit and reproduce construction
drawings; make control surveys, performing such tasks as running and closing
traverses, staking out for excavations and obtaining and converting field notes
into topographic maps; and maintain individual combat readiness and perform
tasks required in combat and disaster preparedness or recovery operations.
Equipment Operator (EO)
Equipment Operators perform tasks involving deployment and operation of automotive, materialshandling, weight lifting and construction equipment; direct and coordinate efforts of individuals
and crews in execution of construction, earth-moving, roadbuilding, quarrying, asphalt batching
and paving, concrete batch plant operations, concrete paving and transit mixer operation
assignments; maintain records and reports on mobile and stationary equipment and organize and
supervise automotive and construction equipment pools; and maintain individual combat
readiness and perform tasks required in combat and disaster preparedness or recovery
operations.
Steelworker (SW)
Steelworkers perform tasks directly related to fabrication and erection of pre-engineered
structures, including steel reinforcement; control job site deployment of materials and equipment;
17
direct and coordinate the composition, training and efforts of crews who fabricate, assemble,
erect, position and join structural members and fabricated sections; maintain individual combat
readiness; and perform tasks required in combat and disaster preparedness or recovery
operations.
Utilitiesman (UT)
Utilitiesmen plan, supervise and perform tasks involved in installation, maintenance and repair of
plumbing, heating, steam, compressed air, fuel storage and distribution systems, water treatment
and distribution systems, air conditioning and refrigeration equipment, septic system, as
prescribed by drawings and specifications; schedule and evaluate installation and operational
tasks; prepare records and reports; maintain individual combat readiness; and perform tasks
required in combat and disaster preparedness or recovery operations.
Seabee Support Rates
(Note: Support rate descriptions provided below are as defined by BUPERS and include duties
that may not be performed in a Seabee unit but are, nonetheless, part of that rate’s training.)
Boatswain's Mate (BM)
Boatswain's Mates train, direct, and supervise personnel inship's maintenance duties in all
activities relating to marlinespike, deck, boat seamanship, painting, upkeep of ship's external
structure, rigging, deck equipment, and boats; take charge of working parties; perform
seamanship tasks; act as petty officer-in-charge of picketboats, self-propelled barges, tugs, and
other yard and district craft; maintain discipline as master-at-arms and police petty officers; serve
in, or take charge of, guncrews or damage control parties; and operate and maintain equipment
used in loading and unloading cargo, ammunition, fuel, and general stores.
Disbursing Clerk (DK)
Disbursing Clerks maintain Personal Financial Records of military personnel and provide
customer service to service members and dependents, review for accuracy and process
documents affecting military pay entitlements and deductions and perform related computations;
prepare military payrolls; determine transportation entitlements, compute travel allowances
incurred by military personnel and their dependents; process vouchers supporting receipt and
18
expenditures of public monies, ensure accuracy of accounting data; maintain related fiscal
records and prepare associated reports and returns; and operate ADP equipment associated with
the administration of the Navy pay system.
Dental Technician (DT)
Dental Technicians perform duties as assistants in the prevention and treatment of dental
diseases and disabilities and in the administration of dental facilities; perform dental treatment
room assistance and preventive dentistry treatment, including oral prophylaxis; rendering
emergency dental first aid; expose and process dental X-ray films; prepare dental materials and
medications; assist in preparation and maintenance of dental records; assist in the procurement,
storage, issue and accountability of dental supplies and equipment; and during a contingency
scenario integrate with and assist medical personnel in the emergency treatment of casualties. In
addition, Dental Technicians may be trained and qualified in technical specialties such as
advanced dental administration, dental prosthetic laboratory techniques, and maintenance and
repair of dental equipment.
Electronics Technician (ET)
Electronics Technicians operate and perform maintenance on electronic equipment used for
communication, detection, tracking, recognition, identification, and aids to navigation, and
instrumentation and control; operate and perform maintenance on general purpose test
equipment, personal computers, and auxiliary equipment.
Gunner's Mate (GM)
Gunner's Mates operate, perform, and coordinate organizational and intermediate maintenance
on guided-missile launching systems, missile launching groups, guns, gun mounts, small arms
and associated handling equipment; make detailed electrical, electronic, hydraulic, and
mechanical casualty analyses; inspect, test, analyze, and direct repair of electric, electronic,
hydraulic, mechanical, and servo systems; test and inspect ammunition, missiles, and their
components; prepare missiles and launching equipment for checkout and firing; test, inspect, and
repair magazine sprinkler systems, supervise personnel in handling and stowing of ammunition,
missiles, and their components; supervise personnel in small arms qualifications; inspect and
direct repair of magazines and ammunition stowage spaces; supervise crews assigned to
ordnance equipment.
Hospital Corpsman (HM)
Hospital Corpsmen (HM) perform duties as assistants in the prevention and treatment of disease
and injury; including first aid and preventive medicine procedures; assist with physical
examinations; provide patient care and the administration of medicinals and parenteral solutions;
perform general laboratory, pharmacy and other patient support services; assist in the
administrative supply and accounting procedures within medical departments ashore, afloat and
with the Marine Corps; instruct medical and non-medical personnel in first aid, self aid, personal
hygiene and medical records maintenance and assist in the transportation of the sick and injured;
assist in the maintenance of environmental health standards; be prepared to assist in the
prevention and treatment of chemical, biological and radiological (CBR) casualties and other
contingencies; senior hospital corpsmen perform supervisory, technical, planning and
management functions in support of medical readiness and quality health care delivery; In
addition to their general assignments, hospital corpsmen trained as technicians perform
specialized functions within the operational forces, clinical specialties, administrative departments
and may be assigned independent of a medical officer.
Journalist (JO)
Journalists assist public affairs officers and officers in command with public affairs; prepare
material contributing to the Navy's Fleet Home Town News Program; write Navy news releases
and feature articles from personal interviews, examination of messages and witnessing of events;
take and process news photographs and write captions; coordinate special events; prepare
histories; prepare material for commercial radio and television use; serve on the staff of Armed
19
Forces Radio and Television stations; operate and schedule command internal information and
programming for Shipboard Information Training and Entertainment (SITE) systems; prepare
official correspondence and directives; prepare and lay out Navy publications, such as
newspapers, command information brochures and cruise books; and assist in preparing
speeches/presentations on naval topics.
Legalman (LN)
Legalmen perform paralegal duties under the direction and supervision of Judge Advocates in
providing and administering legal services, including matters concerned with military justice,
administrative discharges, claims, admiralty law and legal assistance; record and transcribe
proceedings of courts martial, courts of inquiry, investigations and military commissions and
prepare and submit necessary records and reports; prepare correspondence; conduct interviews;
perform legal research of pertinent material for evaluation; and provide advice and assistance to
personnel and command on matters of legal administration.
Master-At-Arms (MA)
Master-At-Arms perform, conduct or advise appropriate personnel on matters of investigations,
interrogations, apprehension, crime prevention, preservation of crime scenes and evidence,
enforcement of orders, and regulations, shore patrol, and crowd control; implement, develop,
conduct, physical security policy, plans, programs, and assessments; recommend enhancement
to physical security of navy bases, installations, property, and personnel; supervise and train
security forces in antiterrorism defense and weapons proficiency; assist commands in
establishing terrorist threat conditions and implementing defensive measures to combat threat.
Machinery Repairman (MR)
Machinery Repairmen perform organizational and intermediate maintenance on assigned
equipment and in support of other ships, requiring the skillful use of lathes, milling machines,
boring mills, grinders, power hack saws, drill presses, and other machine tools; portable
machinery; and hand tools; and measuring instruments found in a machine shop.
Mess Management Specialist (MS)
Mess Management Specialists operate and manage Navy messes and living quarters established
to subsist and accommodate Naval personnel; estimate quantities and kinds of foodstuffs
required; assist Supply Officer in ordering and stowage of subsistence items and procurement of
equipment and mess gear; check delivery for quantity and assist medical personnel in inspection
for quality; prepare menus; plan, prepare, and serve meals; maintain food service spaces and
associated equipment in a clean and sanitary condition, including storerooms and refrigerated
spaces; maintain records of financial transactions and submit required reports; and maintain,
oversee, and manage quarters afloat and ashore.
Navy Counselor (NC)
Navy Counselors assist commands in organizing and implementing an aggressive enlisted
recruiting and career information program; evaluate enlisted recruiting and career information
programs within own command and/or subordinate commands as applicable; supervise and
coordinate interviewing and counseling efforts; counsel individuals and give presentation to civic
groups, naval personnel, and their family members on the advantages of career opportunities in
the Navy; establish and maintain liaison with local media.
Postal Clerk (PC)
Postal Clerks operate Navy post offices; supervise, organize and establish or disestablish a Navy
post office; perform postal counterwork, including sale of stamps and money orders; process
incoming and outgoing mail; route mail; maintain a mail directory; process official mail; maintain
security of postal effects and mail matter; process claims and inquiries; and prepare and file
postal correspondence, records and reports.
20
Personnelman (PN)
Personnelmen perform clerical and administration duties involved in maintaining personnel
records, preparing reports and accomplishing accounting procedures; counsel enlisted personnel
concerning Navy ratings, training, advancement, educational opportunities, and the rights,
benefits and advantages of a Navy career; utilize and maintain current publications and directives
pertaining to personnel administration and operate associated ADP equipment.
Radioman (RM)
Radiomen execute information transfer with state-of-the-art multi-media technology such as fiber
optics, digital microwave, and tactical and commercial satellites on a global basis; operate,
manage and provide hardware and software support to multi-media automated information
systems (AIS) to include: mainframes, mini, and microcomputers, Local Area Networks (LAN's),
Wide Area Networks (WAN's), and telecommunications; apply diagnostic and restoral techniques
utilizing knowledge of electronic and operational system theory; advise on capabilities, limitations,
and condition of equipment; implement production control procedures including input/output
quality control support; implement and monitor security procedures; perform assigned mission
organizational level maintenance and repair of Command, Control, Communications, Computer,
and Intelligence Systems.
Religious Program Specialist (RP)
Religious Program Specialists (RP) support chaplains in implementing Command Religious
Programs (CRPs) to accommodate the religious needs and rights of sea service personnel and
their families; facilitate the delivery of ministry by chaplains by conducting rehearsals, making
referrals, and rigging and unrigging for religious services and CRP events; recruit, train, and
supervise CRP volunteers who assist in worship, religious education, and other programs;
publicize CRP programs and events; organize, coordinate, and support religious education
programs; serve as bookkeepers and custodians of Religious Offering Funds; provide library
services onboard ships; manage and administratively support CRP program elements; determine,
requisition, and manage logistic support for CRPs; manage, maintain, and assist in designing and
determining requirements for Religious Ministry Facilities afloat and ashore; provide physical
security for chaplains in combat.
Ship's Serviceman (SH)
Ship's Servicemen provide direct personal services by operating and managing resale activities,
such as ship's stores, commissary stores, and Navy exchange retail stores; service activities of
the ship's stores and Navy exchanges, such as laundry and dry-cleaning facilities, vending
machines, snack bars, and barber shops; and perform administrative and automated stock
control functions for all activities operated.
Storekeeper (SK)
Storekeepers order, receive, inspect, stow, preserve, package, materials; and prepare and
maintain required forms, records, correspondence, reports, and files.
Yeoman (YN)
21
Yeomen perform clerical and administrative duties, including typing and filing; prepare and route
correspondence and reports; maintain records, publications, and service records; counsel officer
personnel on administrative matters; perform administrative support for shipboard legal
proceedings and maintain shipboard legal files; conduct reporting/detaching, and required
retention related interviews; and serve as office managers.
Other Seabee Assignments
Naval Support Unit/State Department
The mission of the Naval Support Unit (NSU) is to provide the Department of State with
specialized skills in building construction, maintenance and repair essential to the Department of
State's security program, principally at overseas facilities. NSU accomplishes its mission by
using security-cleared Seabees either to personally perform these functions or to provide close
surveillance of uncleared laborers involved in such work in security sensitive areas. As a
corollary to this mission, NSU also provides personnel to assist in the maintenance and armoring
of security vehicles.
Public Works Departments
Navy Public Works Departments are responsible for the delivery of Public Works services to U. S.
Navy and other Department of Defense activities located in specific geographic areas. They
provide a full range of public works services including facilities maintenance and repair, utilities
operations and maintenance, transportation, professional services including environmental
services, engineering design and consultation and facility services such as grounds maintenance.
Special Warfare
An ever-growing Seabee mission is in support of Special Warfare (SPECWAR)
and Special Operations. There are currently over 300 billets in this field with
approximately 80 percent of the billets designated for Equipment Operators and
Construction Mechanics. The bulk of these jobs are in the San Diego or Norfolk
area but include locations worldwide. Responsibilities focus on equipment and
facility support, but many of the billets provide unique opportunities in support of
highly operational missions. There are no restrictions on these billets although
22
many units require a screening process where warfare qualification and
successful battalion tours are a distinct advantage.
23
Active/Reserve Integration
Each Naval Construction Brigade is a combination of active and reserve staff members, which
oversees active and reserve units. Active duty battalions are also supplemented with reserve
augments. During many active duty battalion deployments, reserve personnel support projects
on rotating two-week schedules, providing extra labor and construction expertise. This
relationship allows reserve personnel to pass on many of their private sector skills to their active
duty counterparts. Likewise, reserve personnel gain valuable experience working within the
active duty organization. Navy and Marine bases have also benefited from this concept by having
reserve Seabee personnel, under the leadership of an active duty unit, provide construction and
maintenance support for their facility maintenance programs. Integration has proved to be a true
success story for the NCF.
Training
Training Regiments
The two homeport training regiments provide a variety of training to the NMCBs during homeport
including training in military skills, contingency construction, crew-served weapons training, war
damage repair and embarkation. Other training requirements coordinated by the regiment
include special construction battalion training; chemical, biological and radiological (CBR)
training; disaster recovery training; rescue training; formal school training; factory training;
Seabee civic action team training and special mission essential training. All of the training offered
to the active units is also provided to the NCF reserve units by the training regiments. In addition,
the training regiments send Mobile Training Teams (MTT) to Reserve units on drill weekends to
teach Basic Combat Skills.
24
Military Training
Seabee units must be capable of defending themselves while carrying out their construction
mission. They must also be capable of integrating with other forces for the defense of advance
bases. Military training programs are aimed at maintaining the necessary skills to perform this
defensive mission. Individual NCF unit programs are supplemented with military training
conducted at homeport. This training includes individual combat training, individual weapons
training, crew- served weapons training, advance combat skills training, field communications
training and command post exercises. Additionally, each battalion conducts a mobilization
exercise while in homeport in conjunction with a full battalion deployment to a remote site for a
simulated tactical field exercise. This exercise gives the battalion the opportunity to gain
experience operating in a tactical mode.
Contingency Construction Crew Training (CCCT)
Training regiments offer a series of combat construction courses (command post bunker, timber
observation tower, water well drilling, rapid runway repair, etc). CCCT courses are designed to
develop Seabee crew leaders who in turn train crewmembers in specific contingency construction
projects.
Contributory Support
Peacetime construction projects, called Contributory Support projects, provide on-the-job training
opportunities for Seabees, thus allowing them to become more proficient after formal construction
training.
Interoperability – MAGTF/JTF
In order to enhance interoperability with the MAGTF/JTF, NCF units train with the same
communication equipment as the Marines. Marine advisors, communicators, and infantry
instructors are utilized within the NCF to ensure that the Seabee combat training enables the
units to achieve and maintain a high state of mobilization readiness.
25
Readiness
In peacetime, NMCBs undertake military training/construction projects that contribute directly to
readiness.
Construction Readiness
NMCBs undertake construction projects that provide experience in construction and leadership
skills that are necessary to perform their wartime missions. Special emphasis is placed on
projects that contribute directly to overall Navy readiness.
Military Readiness
NMCBs undertake periodic military training to develop and maintain the combat skills required to
perform their wartime mission. Combat readiness is an integral part of the occupational
standards for all Seabee personnel. NMCBs conduct physical, infantry and weapons training to
ensure skills are maintained.
Operational Readiness
NMCBs are capable of providing quality, responsive construction to Navy, Marine Corps and
other forces. Subject only to constraints imposed by port facilities or lift availability, Air
Detachments are ready to deploy within 48 hours, and a full battalion is ready to deploy within six
days of notification.
Material Readiness
The organic NMCB Table of Allowance (TOA) is capable of sustaining operations at the deployed
site for 60 days without re-supply, except for ammunition, subsistence rations, and fuel.
Construction materials are not part of the TOA and must be planned for and provided by the
supported command or unit.
Readiness Assessment
NCF units participate in the Navy’s Status of Resources and Training System (SORTS). This
system gives Fleet and Unified Commanders-in-Chief (CINCs) a quick picture of a unit’s combat
readiness. In this system, periodic reports are submitted rating the unit’s current combat
readiness in four resource areas: personnel, equipment/supplies on hand, equipment/supply
status or condition, and training. Ratings are also assigned for each of the unit’s primary mission
areas. Depending on the type of unit, primary mission areas for NCF units include some or all of
the following: Command, Control and Communications; Construction; Mobility; and Fleet Support
Operations. Underwater Construction Teams (UCTs) have the additional primary mission area of
Amphibious Warfare. An overall unit rating is derived from the individual resource and mission
area ratings.
Homeport/Mainbody Sites
Gulfport, MS
(Homeport)
Port Hueneme, CA
(Homeport)
Roosevelt Roads,
Puerto Rico
Okinawa,
Japan
Rota,
Spain
Guam
26
The eight active duty Naval Mobile Construction Battalions are homeported at Port Hueneme, CA
and Gulfport, MS. These NMCBs deploy to forward sites at Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico; Rota,
Spain; Okinawa, Japan; and Guam. The NMCBs have a rotation cycle of 14 months. A complete
cycle consists of one homeport period and one deployment period, each period lasting seven
months.
Detail Sites
From the four mainbody sites, NMCBs deploy Details to various locations. Typical DET sites are
listed below:
Rota
Roosevelt Roads
Guam
Okinawa
Sigonella, Italy
Souda Bay, Crete
Thurmont, MD
London, UK
Naples, Italy
Bosnia
Panzer Rosern
Guantanamo Bay
Vieques
Norfolk, VA
Jacksonville, FL
Andros Island
Fallon, NV
Lemoore, CA
San Diego, CA
Bangor, WA
Pearl Harbor, HI
Bahrain
Palau
Diego Garcia
Atsugi
Sasebo
Yokosuka
Chinhae
Pohang
Fuji
Iwakuni
Special Topics
Seven-Month Deployments
Until the later years of the Vietnam conflict, Seabees were typically deployed for 10 months with a
four-month homeport period. Beginning in the 1960s, deployments were shortened to 8 months,
with a 6-month homeport period, making a 14-month cycle. Since the late 1980s, NMCBs have
maintained a 14-month cycle, but have equally split the time with a 7-month deployment and a 7month homeport.
The present 7/7 deployment has proven to be the most efficient construction/training combination
for today’s missions, based on 30 years experience with different deployment combinations. It is
designed to meet the requirements of maintaining the four forward deployed sites with eight
battalions while maintaining adequate homeport training and troop replenishment. This schedule
is the most effective use of homeport training resources, barracks, galley, MWR and capabilities
to refit each battalion prior to deployment.
A more frequent rotation schedule, such as 6/6, would increase unproductive time due to greater
frequency and number of turnovers. Unlike ships, Seabee battalions must reconcile tools,
equipment and materials at multiple deployment sites and turn over construction projects in
progress. The 6/6 rotation would also adversely affect the ability to effectively train the battalions
during the homeport period while providing sufficient stand down time.
27
A 6/6 rotation would also require the units to be deployed during the same holiday seasons every
year, which would decrease morale. A BUPERS study shows that the average time away from
home during a sea tour is the same for Seabees as for Fleet Sailors due to the amount of time
spent away from home on sea trials and workups during a ship’s 12-month homeport period.
Cross Deployments
Deployments of Atlantic battalions to the Pacific area, or deployments of Pacific battalions to the
Atlantic area are known as cross deployments. Cross deployments are necessary to be forward
postured for OPLAN support. The two major war scenarios are in the Pacific and CENTCOM
AORs. The readiness benefits for OPLAN support far outweigh the costs, and are no different
that the costs of other Navy units that are forward deployed – such as carriers, P-3 Squadrons,
etc. This policy exposes these units to the wide range of environments required to support the
two-theater war scenario. This trains them in the various terrains, climates, cultures, command
structures, etc. It enhances technical skills, flexibility and agility. It also ensures consistency of
policies and practices of the two fleets.
Seabee Combat Warfare
The Seabee Combat Warfare Specialist (SCWS) program, based on the OPNAV instruction, is
two tiered to provide separate officer and enlisted qualifications. It is important for NCF personnel
to maintain professional development and readiness in construction and military skills. The
enlisted SCWS qualification is written to target the knowledge required by an E-5. The officer
SCWS program expands upon the enlisted program with additional leadership and knowledge
skills required to operate in a joint environment. Programs also test specific knowledge relative to
the unit assigned. Individual unit commanders have the option test CPOs at the Officer level.
Under the new SCWS instruction, re-qualification is required within in one year of reporting to a
qualifying unit.
Twenty NMCBs
Twenty NMCBs are needed to support the Dual Major Theater War (MTW) scenarios. Support
for the Dual MTWs is required by national strategy. The entire NCF, active and reserve, are
required to meet the intensive engineering effort of this strategy. The last four NMCBs deploy to
four forward deployment sites in order to be a theater reserve for the CINC. While there, they
also perform tasking related to the construction of NEO camps, EPW holding and processing
camps, Fleet Hospital support and projects relating to the increased logistics throughput required
at these sites.
Four Forward Deployment Sites
Four Forward Deployment Sites have been established based on forward presence guidance of
the Unified CINCs via Secretaries of the Military Departments and the Joint Chiefs of Staff. A
classified document, Forces for Unified Commands ("Forces For"), has specific unit and
geographic assignments which stipulate force structure and forward presence and reflects a
certain peacetime posture. Also Global Naval Force Presence Policy, a classified document,
allows the Combatant CINCs through CJCS to the services to adjust as needed to meet current
force structure requirements and presence.
CONUS Det Sites
CONUS Det Sites were established based on CINCLANTFLT and CINCPACFLT priorities of
facility maintenance backlog reduction for CONUS bases. The two fleets fund Operating Budgets
for the two brigades and can establish priority of peacetime contributory construction support. As
with all peacetime construction projects, work is evaluated and accepted based on its training
value, specifically to exercise the general and specialized construction skills outlined in the ROCs
and POEs.
Asbestos and Lead Removal Programs
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Asbestos and lead removal programs require personnel medical monitoring programs. It is not in
the Navy's best interest to use Seabees to do this work and incur the long-range cost of lifetime
monitoring. Removal of materials containing asbestos and lead may be required as part of facility
repair or demolition projects. These operations routinely result in exposure levels requiring
stringent regulatory engineering controls and work procedures, training, personnel protective
equipment and health monitoring. As a result, NCF policy precludes Seabee units from being
tasked to perform non-rating related work including environmental cleanup (such as asbestos
removal). Remediation of hazardous materials is not a Required Operational Capability (ROC) of
NCF units.
Removal of asbestos and lead containing materials, when permissible exposure levels will be
exceeded, are coordinated through the station requesting NCF project contributory support. The
station accomplishes asbestos and lead identification during project planning, and conducts
removal and clearance testing through contract or certified Public Works forces. NCF facility
demolition and/or repair then proceeds upon provision of clearance test data.
Officer Tour Lengths
Officer tour lengths of 24 months allow sufficient numbers of CEC officers to gain Seabee
knowledge and troop leadership experience. Later in their career, more senior level jobs will
require Seabee background and knowledge. Time spent training one-tour battalion officers is an
investment to prepare CEC officers in their future roles as the "Seabee expert" on CINC and Joint
staffs, ensuring the NCF is effectively utilized in peacetime and in war. The NCF can best meet
its mission requirements to the Navy by ensuring a sufficient number experienced officers are
available to provide a Seabee perspective.
Seabee History
The U.S. Navy Seabees were formed shortly after the Japanese attack on Pearl
Harbor in World War II. Because there was a need for massive military
construction, and civilian labor in war zones was impractical, Rear Admiral Ben
Moreell, Chief of the Navy’s Bureau of Yards and Docks, decided to establish the
first construction battalions. This was the beginning of the Seabees, who
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obtained their name from a transliteration of “CB” for construction battalion.
Admiral Moreell also gave them their official motto: Construimus, Batuimus —
We Build, We Fight.
With an emphasis on experience and skill, these craftsmen were quickly trained
and shipped to overseas assignments, where their exploits became legendary as
they hacked jungle and blasted coral while island-hopping across the Pacific. The
Seabees built 111 major airstrips, 700 square blocks of warehouses, hospitals for
70,000 patients, storage tanks for 100 millions gallons of gasoline and housing
for 1.5 million men. In nearly every major invasion in the Pacific, Marines were
followed by Seabees to support the invasion and provide long-term facilities for
the troops.
Due to their effectiveness in World War II, the Seabees became a permanent
part of the Navy. They continued to serve in Korea, where they participated in
both the Inchon and Wonsan landings and built advance bases in the Pacific.
In 1965, the Seabees made their first deployment to Vietnam and built an
expeditionary airfield at Chu Lai. As the demand for Seabees rapidly escalated,
they constructed roads, bridges, airfields and hospitals, and helped in many civic
action projects.
In the 1970s, they resumed peacetime deployments including construction at the
strategic Diego Garcia base in the Indian Ocean.
Their most recent combat duties occurred during support of Operations Desert
Shield and Desert Storm, where more than 5,000 active duty and reserve
Seabees served in the Middle East. They built 10 camps for more than 42,000
personnel, three galleys, 10 aircraft parking aprons, three ammunition supply
points, a 500-bed hospital, two runways, two hangars and a prisoner of war camp
to hold 40,000. And it was the Seabees who built and maintained a 200-mile,
four-lane road in the desert. The road became the major supply route to support
the Marine attack on Kuwait, allowing spare parts, ammunition, supplies and
thousands of troops and trucks to cross the sand.
In December 1995, Seabees deployed to Bosnia, where they built six tent camps
to support 6,200 U.S. Army troops and renovated war-damaged buildings for use
as headquarters facilities.
Seabees are also known for their worldwide humanitarian efforts. Recently,
Seabees have aided the victims of hurricanes, floods, and earthquakes. They
drilled wells, erected tents and built roads to help the Kurdish refugees in Iraq
and helped citizens in the Philippines dig out from tons of volcanic ash. Seabees
also deployed to Somalia and Haiti to support humanitarian efforts there and
constructed tent camps for more than 40,000 Haitian and Cuban migrants in
Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Seabees deployed to Honduras to support Hurricane
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Mitch recovery efforts.
They opened roads, cleared mudslides, diverted
waterways and erected bridges so that assistance could reach residents in
isolated areas.
Numbers of Seabees
250000
200000
150000
100000
50000
042 46 50 54 58 62 66 70 74 78 82 86 90 94 98
Number of Active
Year Battalions
200
180
160
140
120
100
80
60
40
20
0
42-46
46-50
51-60
61-70
71-80
81-90
91-99
Decade
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Annex
Projected Operational Environment (POE) and
Required Operational Capabilities (ROC)
Naval Construction Brigade
POE
Provides forces to fulfill requirements.
Exercises command and control over Naval Construction Regiments.
Acts as an advisor, force provider and liaison for Combined Joint Task Force in theater while supporting Unified
Commander’s requirements.
Coordinates engineering combat service support in extreme cold to tropical or desert environments.
Support Unified Commanders, Fleet Commanders in Chief or Component Commanders.
ROC
Coordinates and controls operations of the fore to carry out assigned missions.
Provide unit’s command and control functions.
Provide communications for own unit.
Perform construction engineering.
Plan and implement Operations Security measures.
Provide medical care to assigned and embarked personnel.
Provide first aid assistance.
Provide underway and in port training.
Monitor units’ administrative and operational procedures and material readiness.
Prevent and control damage.
Maintain mount-out capabilities.
Maintain health and well-being of the crew.
Maintain reserve unit mobilization readiness (inactive reserve units).
Conduct operations ashore in climate extremes from cold to tropical and desert environments.
Provide humanitarian assistance.
Collect construction engineering data.
Provide administration and support for own unit.
Provide emergency/disaster assistance.
Support and provide for the evacuation of non-combatant personnel in areas of civil or international crisis.
Naval Construction Regiment
POE
Provides administrative and operational support over two or more Naval Construction
Force (NCF) units.
In a foreign country during wartime, the NCR coordinates engineering and combat service support for a Marine AirGround Task Force in climates ranging from extreme cold to tropical and desert environments.
The NCR is capable of limited operations in a CBR contaminated environment.
Numerous subordinate task-organized units may be deployed throughout the theater. NCF units may encounter ground
combat units, special operations force, guerrilla and terrorist activities.
In Operations Other Than War (OOTW), the NCR is involved in a full spectrum of operations including peacekeeping,
humanitarian assistance, civic action, disaster recovery and base maintenance.
NCRs support the Area or Force commander.
Performs primary mission while maintaining operations of assigned units.
Organic Table of Allowance (TOA) can sustain operations for 60 days. Ammunition is limited to 15 days and
subsistence rations are limited to 5 days.
ROC
Load, transport and land combat equipment, material, supplies and attendant personnel of a force or group in an
amphibious assault.
Conduct Maritime Prepositioning Force (MPF) operations.
Coordinate and control the operations of the task organized or functional force to carry out assigned missions.
Provide unit’s own command and control functions.
Provide communications for own unit.
Perform construction engineering.
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Perform operational construction logistic support in deployment area.
Plan and implement OPSEC measures.
Provide medical care to assigned and embarked personnel.
Provide first aid assistance.
Provide underway training and inport training.
Monitor assigned units’ administrative and procedures and material readiness.
Prevent and control damage.
Maintain mount-out capabilities.
Maintain health and well being of the crew.
Maintain reserve unit mobilization readiness (inactive reserve units).
Conduct operations ashore in climate extremes.
Provide humanitarian assistance.
Perform peacekeeping operations.
Collect construction engineering data.
Provide upkeep and maintenance of own unit.
Provide emergency/disaster assistance.
Support and provide for the evacuation of non-combatant personnel in areas of civil or international crisis.
Function as a model manager for U.S. Navy personnel Qualification Standard for own unit’s specific warfare and/or
specialty community.
Naval Mobile Construction Battalion
POE
Construct advance base facilities in support of the Navy, Marine Corps and other armed services and is capable of
defensive combat operations.
Perform engineering combat service support for the MAGTF operating in climates
ranging from extreme cold to tropical or desert environments. The NMCB is capable of limited operations in a
CBR-contaminated environment.
NMCBs may encounter organized ground combat units, special operations forces, guerrilla and terrorist activities.
NMCBs are involved in peacekeeping, humanitarian assistance, civic action, disaster recovery and base maintenance
operations.
An NMCB may operate as part of an NCR or as the single NCF element in support of the Area or Force Commander.
Perform primary mission while performing defensive functions including: perimeter defense, security patrols,
reconnoitering, observation posts and defensive reaction force.
Organic TOA is capable of sustaining NMCB for 60 days except for ammunition, fuel and food.
ROC
Load, transport and land equipment, material, supplies and attendant personnel in an amphibious assault.
Re-embark and transport equipment, materials, supply and personnel.
Conduct Naval Surface Fire Support (NSFS) against designated targets.
Conduct MPF operations.
Coordinate and control the operations to carry out assigned missions.
Provide own unit’s command and control functions.
Provide communications for own unit.
Repair own unit’s CCC equipment.
Conduct casualty control procedures to maintain/restore own unit’s CCC capabilities.
Perform tactical construction.
Perform base construction.
Perform construction engineering.
Perform specialized construction.
Perform operational construction logistic support in the deployment area.
Perform war damage repair and rapid runway repair operations.
Plan and implement OPSEC measures.
Provide base facility maintenance and utility operations.
Provide support services to other units.
Provide explosive ordnance disposal services.
Provide medical care to assigned and embarked personnel.
Provide first aid assistance and provide triage of casualties/patients.
Provide medical/surgical treatment for casualties/patients.
Provide medical regulation, transport/evacuation and receipt of casualties/patients.
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Provide routine and emergency dental care.
Provide definitive dental care for casualties and patients.
Provide underway and inport training.
Monitor assigned unit’s administrative and operational procedures and material readiness.
Prevent and control damage.
Operate from a ship.
Maintain mount-out capabilities.
Maintain the health and well-being of the crew.
Maintain reserve unit mobilization readiness (inactive reserve).
Conduct operations ashore in climate extremes ranging from cold to tropical or desert environments.
Perform repairs to own unit’s MOB equipment.
Conduct casualty control procedures to maintain/restore own unit’s MOB capabilities.
Provide humanitarian assistance.
Perform peacekeeping.
Collect construction engineering data.
Provide administrative and supply support for own unit.
Provide upkeep and maintenance of own unit.
Provide emergency/disaster assistance.
Support/provide for the evacuation of noncombatant personnel in areas of civil or international crisis.
Function as model manager for USN personnel qualification standard for own unit’s specific warfare and/or specialty
community.
Naval Construction Force Support Unit
POE
The NCFSU provides construction and engineering support for NCF units including specialized CESE, material, repair
parts and technical expertise.
Perform engineering combat service support for the MAGTF operating in climates ranging from extreme cold to
tropical or desert environments. The NCFSU is capable of limited operations in a CBR-contaminated
ennvironment.
NCFSUs are involved in peacekeeping, humanitarian assistance, civic action, disaster recovery and base maintenance
operations.
Requires messing, medical, dental, limited administration, maintenance and defensive fortifications support from the
host command.
An NCFSU will deploy as echelons which operate as part of an NCR or NMCB.
Organic TOA is capable of sustaining NCFSUs for 60 days.
ROC
Provide communications for own unit.
Perform construction engineering.
Perform specialized construction.
Perform operational construction logistic support in the deployment area.
Plan and implement OPSEC measures.
Provide first aid assistance.
Prevent and control damage.
Operate from a ship.
Maintain mount-out capabilities.
Maintain reserve unit mobilization readiness (inactive reserve).
Conduct operations ashore in climate extremes ranging from cold to tropical or desert environments.
Collect construction engineering data.
Provide administrative and supply support for own unit.
Provide upkeep and maintenance of own unit.
Construction Battalion Maintenance Unit
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POE
The CBMU provides follow-on public works operations, maintenance and repair at existing advance base shore
facilities or facilities constructed by NMCBs in contingency operations.
Performs advanced base public works support during wartime in climates ranging from extreme cold to tropical or
desert environments. The CBMU is capable of limited operations in a CBR-contaminated environment.
CBMUs may encounter special operations forces, guerrilla and terrorist activities.
Requires messing, medical, dental, limited administration, maintenance, and defensive fortifications support from the
host command.
Capable of equipping and manning water production, steam and electrical power generation and distribution systems
for advanced base facilities of 5,000 personnel and performing war damage repair to central base camp utility
systems.
Organic TOA is capable of sustaining CBMU operations for 60 days.
ROC
Provide own unit’s command and control functions.
Provide communications for own unit.
Perform tactical construction.
Perform base construction.
Perform construction engineering.
Perform war damage repair/rapid runway repair operations.
Plan and implement OPSEC measures.
Provide base facility maintenance and utility operations.
Provide support services to other units.
Provide explosive ordnance disposal services.
Provide first aid assistance.
Prevent and control damage.
Maintain mount-out capabilities.
Maintain health and wellbeing of the crew.
Maintain reserve unit mobilization readiness (inactive reserve).
Conduct operations ashore in climate extremes ranging from cold to tropical or desert environments.
Provide humanitarian assistance.
Collect construction engineering data.
Provide administrative and supply support for own unit.
Provide upkeep and maintenance of own unit.
Provide emergency/disaster assistance.
Underwater Construction Team
POE
The UCT performs underwater construction operations independently in support of the Navy, Marine Corps and other
armed services engaged in military operations.
Performs underwater construction and engineering combat service support in climate extremes from arctic to tropical
and desert environments.
UCTs may encounter special operations forces, guerrilla and terrorist activities.
UCTs are capable of sustaining ocean and waterfront facility construction using Surface Supplied Air Diving System
(SSDS) or SCUBA.
Perform battle damage repair to ocean facilities.
While embarked with Naval Beach Group or Marine Amphibious Units, conduct SSD or SCUBA operations in
conjunction with Fleet Marine Force (FMF) amphibious operations.
A UCT may operate independently as Air Mobile Details, an integral Underwater Construction Team or as an augment
to other military forces.
Capable of deploying an Air Mobile Detail of 15 personnel within 48 hours.
Capable of performing maintenance on unit equipment simultaneous with wartime construction efforts.
Requires defensive fortification support from the host command.
Organic TOA to sustain SSDS or SCUBA operations for 60 days.
ROC
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Provide amphibious assault construction support for ship-to-shore operations and beach clearance.
Provide own unit’s command and control functions.
Provide communications for own unit.
Perform tactical construction.
Perform base construction.
Perform construction engineering.
Perform specialized construction.
Plan and implement OPSEC measures.
Provide medical care to assigned and embarked personnel.
Provide first aid assistance.
Provide triage of casualties/patients.
Provide medical/surgical treatment for casualties/patients.
Provide medical regulation, transport/evacuation and receipt of casualties/patients.
Provide aviation/diving medicine services
Prevent and control damage.
Maintain mount-out capabilities.
Maintain health and well-being of the crew.
Maintain reserve unit mobilization readiness (inactive reserve).
Conduct operations ashore in climate extremes ranging from cold to tropical or desert environments.
Collect construction engineering data.
Provide administrative and supply support for own unit.
Provide upkeep and maintenance of own unit.
Construction Battalion Unit
POE
The CBU provides construction, operation and maintenance support to a Fleet Hospital in a Combat Zone.
Performs 24-hour facility maintenance and construction to support operations for a combat zone fleet hospital in
climates ranging from extreme cold to tropical and desert environments.
In Operations Other Than War , CBUs may support a Combat Zone Fleet Hospital in operations including
peacekeeping, humanitarian assistance, civic action and disaster recovery.
CBUs shall be capable of deploying the entire unit within 48 hours to erect a Fleet Hospital in 10 days and perform
public works and maintenance for the operating hospital.
CBUs are capable of performing all assigned mission areas simultaneously in sustained 24-hour operations while
maintaining security functions within the Combat Zone Fleet Hospital.
Requires messing, berthing, medical, dental, limited administration and defensive fortifications support from the host
command.
ROC
Coordinate and control the operations of the task organization or functional force to carry out assigned missions.
Provide own unit's command and control functions.
Provide communications for own unit.
Perform tactical construction.
Perform base construction.
Perform construction engineering.
Perform operational construction logistic support in the deployment area.
Perform war damage repair/rapid runway repair operations.
Plan, and implement operations security measures.
Provide base facility maintenance and utility operations.
Prevent and control damage.
Maintain mount-out capabilities.
Maintain reserve unit mobilization readiness (inactive reserve units only).
Conduct operations ashore.
Provide humanitarian assistance.
Collect construction/facility engineering data/information.
Provide administrative and supply support for own unit.
Provide emergency disaster assistance.
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