From NMCB 11 Public Affairs Office
GULFPORT, Miss. - Seabees from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 11 completed Airfield Damage Repair (ADR) training and certification onboard Naval Construction Battalion Center Gulfport, Miss. July 13, 2017.
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Seabees assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 11 inspect their construction equipment prior to commencing repair work during an airfield damage repair certification course conducted by Naval Construction Group (NCG) 2 onboard Naval Construction Battalion Center Gulfport, Miss. (Photo by MC1 Collin Turner)
The training, facilitated by Naval Construction Group (NCG) 2 over a period of a week, culminated in certifying the battalion as capable of completing ADR tasks.
"The progression and advances throughout the development of this program is outstanding and it feels great being part of this exercise and carrying on the tradition of airfield repair," said Equipment Operator 2nd Class Shadee Amundson. "The mobility and capabilities we possess make us a key unit across the globe and I love that feeling."
ADR is a complex operation and is broken into a few different components. The Damage Assessment Team (DAT) is responsible for identifying craters and possible unexploded ordinance and for making the initial damage assessment of the location. With that information, they determine a minimum operating strip based on the size and type of aircraft using the runway.
Once the DAT team completes their assessment, they relay the information to the Emergency Operating Center (EOC) who rapidly formulates and implements a plan to complete the required repairs.
"With the help of our Civil Engineering Support Equipment (CESE), we can cut these repair times down drastically by clearing craters, holes, and spalling with our equipment instead of taking hours with small hand tools and it keeps us in the fight, making us a superior and stronger fighting force," said Construction Mechanic 3rd Class John Webb.
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A Seabee assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 11 uses a concrete saw to makes repairs during an airfield damage repair certification course conducted by Naval Construction Group (NCG) 2 onboard Naval Construction Battalion Center Gulfport, Miss. (Photo by MC1 Collin Turner)
Since the beginning of World War II, ADR has been used to enhance the Seabees warfighting capabilities and the importance of ADR has soared. With the increase in complex and planned attacks from the adversaries of the United States and coalition forces, Seabees continue to adapt their techniques to overcome the ever-changing environment of today.
"We train these Seabees with the newest technology and rapid repair techniques available to us," said Builder 2nd Class David Goebel. "We prepare them with the knowledge and skills they need to step off and complete their mission."
Homeported in Gulfport, Mississippi, NMCB 11 is part of the Naval Construction Force (NCF). The NCF is a vital component of the U.S. Maritime Strategy and are comprised of deployable battalions capable of providing contingency construction, disaster preparation and recovery support, humanitarian assistance, and combat operations support.
For more information, visit http://www.navy.mil, http://facebook.com/usnavy, or http://www.twitter.com/usnavy.
For more news from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 11, visit www.navy.mil/local/nmcb11/