Story by MC2 Michael Lopez, Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 3 Public Affairs
OKINAWA, Japan Seabees assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 3 worked day and night to complete a 48-hour mount out exercise (MOX) onboard Camp Shields in Okinawa, Japan, Nov. 19-21.
A MOX simulates one of the core capabilities of an NMCB; the ability to deploy an 89-person air detachment within 48 hours to support any mission required by a supported commander. Missions could range from major combat operations to humanitarian and disaster relief.
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Steelworker 3rd Class Cal Moore, assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 3, guides Equipment Operator Adam Lefford, also assigned to NMCB-3, as he stages a medium tactical vehicle replacement cargo truck with other equipment during a 48-hour mount out exercise (MOX) onboard Camp Shields in Okinawa, Japan, Nov. 20. (Photo by MC2 Michael Lopez)
The scenario for this exercise was a major combat operations response to a threat in the Indo-Pacific Command area of operations.
The mount out required robust communication and attention to detail within the embarkation team; the department that provides the expertise and muscle behind any major movement.
Many people would think communication is the most challenging part of the exercise because there are so many moving parts, but I dont think thats actually the hardest aspect, said Senior Chief Equipment Operator Matthew Kreamalmyer, the battalions embarkation officer. When it comes to load planning and exercising the ability to move so many personnel and pieces of equipment, it takes a lot of time to pay attention to the small details that will cause a great deal of frustration for preparing the flight if theyre overlooked.
The Seabees worked day and night in shifts to move 37 units of civil engineering support equipment (CESE), 20 pallets consisting of tricon storage containers, shoring materials, shower and galley materials, meals-ready-to-eat, and personnel gear issue.
Our team has been motivated, theyre pushing hard and learning new trades which also helps diversify the battalion, said Kreamalmyer. We have Sailors from every single rate in every company in our battalion working on this exercise in which they have to work outside of their rate skill sets to make this happen as a battalion.
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Construction Electrician Constructionman Apprentice Jaden Brevick, assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 3, washes a high mobility multipurpose wheeled vehicle during a 48-hour mount out exercise (MOX) onboard Camp Shields in Okinawa, Japan. A MOX simulates one of the core capabilities of an NMCB; the ability to deploy an 89-person air detachment within 48 hours to support any mission required by a supported commander, Nov. 19. (Photo by MC2 Michael Lopez)
After identifying the appropriate materials to support the mission, the Seabees cant simply load them as-is into an aircraft. Getting the equipment ready for liftoff consists of several evolutions and meticulous attention to detail.
Every little detail and measurement that goes into the preparation of the equipment matters in the end so that accurate information can get to the load planners and we can load the aircraft properly, said Equipment Operator 2nd Class Monica Cervantes, the embarkation leading petty officer and night crew leader. The chains on the tricon boxes have to be a certain way, everything needs to be accounted for, the weights and measurements that were recorded have to be accurate and match our paperwork; all of these things are inspection items.
The Seabees built pallets and shoring to load the equipment, washed and measured each piece of CESE to locate its center of balance, and collected data to prioritize the order of shipment in the staging area.
The data, consisting of the total weight, dimensions, hazardous materials, and aircraft compatibility, moves into the hands of the load planners, who input the information into a computer program called Sea Service Deployment Module to determine where each item will be placed in the military aircraft before the Seabees can stage the items. If these steps are not taken and the load is not properly planned, it could unbalance the aircraft and endanger the flight.
The final push of this exercise was probably the best for me because I got to see everything in its place knowing that I and the rest of the team had a part in loading every unit of CESE and supply materials, said Builder 2nd Class Valerie Romero, a load planner for the exercise. Its a really big deal when you start thinking about how all the weights, measurements, and other data come into play to make sure that the aircraft is loaded with the right gear and will actually be cleared to fly.
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Construction Electrician Constructionman Recruit Dylan Thornsberry, assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 3, replaces a tail light on a piece of civil engineering support equipment during a 48-hour mount out exercise (MOX) onboard Camp Shields in Okinawa, Japan. A MOX simulates one of the core capabilities of an NMCB; the ability to deploy an 89-person air detachment within 48 hours to support any mission required by a supported commander, Nov. 19. (Photo by MC2 Michael Lopez)
The days and nights of effort culminated in an inspection performed by a representative from the 30th Naval Construction Regiment and subject matter experts from NMCB-3 to determine the accuracy of the information and load plan to get the materials to the mission area, demonstrating that NMCB-3 stands ready to mobilize their air detachment.
NMCB-3 is forward deployed throughout the Indo-Pacific region and United States ready to support major combat operations, theater security, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations. Seabees provide general engineering and civil support to Navy, Marine Corps and joint operational forces globally.
For more information about Seabees and NMCB-3, visit http://seabeemagazine.navylive.dodlive.mil or https://www.facebook.com/NMCB3/