By MC3 Debra Daco, NMCB 3 Public Affairs CM2 Jonathan Hughes, NMCB 3, holds an M2 .50-caliber machine gun mounted on a HMMWV during a Command Post Exercise, Port Hueneme, Calif., Feb. 19. Photos by MC3 Debra Daco Seabees from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 3 conducted a Command Post Exercise (CPX), Naval Base Ventura County Port Hueneme, Calif., Feb. 17-20. The exercise helped evaluate the battalion as the Bees prepare for their Field Training Exercise (FTX) later this year. CPX is an exercise focused on establishing and maintaining communication networks during operations. More than 200 NMCB 3 Seabees completed different scenarios to demonstrate effective and accurate communications between a Combat Operation Center (COC), Entry Control Point (ECP), detachments and Company Post (CP). Seabees assigned to NMCB 3 erect a tent during a Command Post Exercise, Port Hueneme, Calif., Feb. 17. The training helped the battalion sharpen tactical skills and maintain overall readiness to deploy. Photos by MC3 Debra Daco NMCB 3 Seabees also trained on mission planning, convoys, occupying objectives, fire plan development, patrol briefs, patrols and ECP operations. In addition, the battalion s Air Detachment demonstrated securing a new area, establishing communication and setting up camp. According to Lt. Justin Webb, NMCB 3 s future operations officer, the goal for this CPX is to test required areas and identity those which may need further training. I believe executing a more robust training plan than what was required for the exercise will definitely benefit the battalion over the next couple months, said Webb. The Naval Construction Force (NCF) is a vital component of the U.S. Maritime Strategy. The NCF provides deployable battalions capable of providing disaster preparation and recovery support, humanitarian assistance and combat operations support. EOCN Zachary Darrow, NMCB 3, fills up a generator s gas tank during a Command Post Exercise, Port Hueneme, Calif., Feb. 17. Photos by MC3 Debra Daco Air Detachment Seabees assigned to NMCB 3 hoist an antenna to communicate with the Combat Operation Center during a Command Post Exercise, Port Hueneme, Calif., Feb. 19. Photos by MC3 Debra Daco CE3 Delana Kromer, NMCB 3, draws up a sector sketch for the Entry Control Point during a Command Post Exercise, Port Hueneme, Calif., Feb. 20. Photo by EOCN Alyssa Blankenship