By CM3 Zachary M. Miller, NMCB 3, Alfa Company Public Affairs
NMCB 3's Crane Crew prepares to lift a cargo container to support the U.S. Armys 1st Battalion, 1st Air Defense Artillery unit on Kadena Air Force Base, Okinawa, Japan, Sept. 22. (Photo by CM3 Zachary Miller/150922-N-ZZ999)
A team of equipment operators from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 3, Alfa Company crane crew relocated cargo containers to support U.S. Armys 1st Battalion, 1st Air Defense Artillery (1-1 ADA) Regiment, Kadena Air Force Base, Okinawa, Japan Sept. 22. Alfa Companys mission covers a variety of skills and support roles all geared toward effectively and quickly mobilizing battalion tools, materials, supplies and personnel in support of varied military and humanitarian operations.
The crane team transported a total of nine separate cargo containers, marking its first crane operations during NMCB 3s Pacific deployment.Equipment Operator Constructionman Devon Perkins made his first lift during the crane operations.
I was a little nervous at first, but Im confident in my skills, said Perkins. Ive had lots of good training from my instructors.
Trust and teamwork is an important part of each lift, and is vital to complete a safe and successful crane operation.
The first few lifts of the PACOM deployment are getting the crew back into the rhythm that made them successful during home port, said Equipment Operator 1st Class Kyle Louiselle, NMCB 3 crane crew supervisor. The collective experience the crane team gains from each lift can be used to make future lifts a complete success.
NMCB 3 is homeported in Port Hueneme, Calif. Its mission is to support Navy and joint forces throughout the U.S. Pacific Command with construction projects and humanitarian missions in more than 13 geographical locations.