Builder 3rd Class Morgan Rego, from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 3, gives a project brief to Australian Defence Force Army Col. Luke Foster. Rego was handpicked to lead a joint team of U.S., Timorese and Australian engineers during the construction of the critical facility. Rego's leadership allowed the team of Navy Seabees, U.S. Marine Corps engineers, Royal Australian engineers and the Timor-Leste Defense Force (F-FDTL) to complete the 10-day, $30,000 project two days earlier than planned. The three countries are currently participating in Sapper 13, a monthlong joint exercise designed to increase interoperability between the countries' construction forces through quality projects that will improve East Timor's social welfare. Seabees from NCMB 3 are deployed to Timor-Leste to execute engineering civic assistance projects, conduct formal training with the host nation and perform community relations events to help enhance shared capabilities and improve the country's social welfare. One of the first battalions commissioned during World War II, NMCB 3's legacy stands strong in its ability to build and fight anywhere in the world as either a full battalion or as a group of autonomous detachments, simultaneously completing critical engineering and construction missions. For this deployment, NMCB 3 has split into nine details to perform critical construction projects in remote island areas such as Timor-Leste, Tonga, Cambodia and the Philippines. The teams will also conduct operations in Atsugi, Yokosuka and Okinawa, Japan; Chinhae, Republic of Korea and China Lake, Calif. The Naval Construction Force is a vital component of the U.S. Maritime Strategy. They provide deployable battalions capable of providing disaster preparation and recovery support, humanitarian assistance and combat operations support.