Story by BU3 Karinne Yukl, Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 11 Public Affairs Office
U.S. 5TH FLEET AREA OF OPERATIONS - Seabees assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 11, currently deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations, are being led by an officer from a military personnel exchange program, U.S. Air Force Captain Chad Colocar.
As the detachment s officer in charge, Capt. Colocar s job is to lead the Seabees through deployment. He serves as a liaison to the main body battalion, in an effort to aid in the improvement of their airfield damage repair (ADR) program.
The Seabees have similar missions [to the Air Force], but different methods of execution, said Colocar. Some of these methods are more developed, and some have yet to be solidified. These methods are what my mission centers around; to take back lessons learned to improve Air Force processes, and to provide insight to the Navy from the Air Force Civil Engineer prospective.
Under the direction of Colocar, the Seabees of Lucky Eleven conducted training last month where the detachment executed a variety of tasks, such as filling craters, repairing spalls and assembling fiber-reinforced panels and aluminum matting. This exercise tested the detachment s skills, knowledge and overall readiness in locating, plotting and repairing airfield damage safely and efficiently.
The purpose of this proficiency training was to increase warfighting readiness, maintain aptitude in command and control, and to expand the operational understanding of interoperable response capabilities and limitations.
Working with the Seabees has been challenging, yet rewarding, said Colocar. I have this incredible opportunity to lead this detachment as their task group commander. I know that my leadership gives those under my charge the opportunity to forward deploy, execute a mission and construct a project with a purpose. My hard work here would be insignificant without the pride of the Seabees [in this detachment].
NMCB-11 is homeported in Gulfport, Miss., and is part of the Naval Construction Force (NCF). They currently have personnel assigned to more than 15 locations worldwide, performing a variety of missions in support of the Navy and the Department of Defense.
The NCF is a vital component of the U.S. Maritime Strategy and is comprised of deployable battalions capable of providing contingency construction, disaster preparation and recovery support, humanitarian assistance and combat operations support.