By MC1 Michael Gomez, NMCB 3 Public Affairs
CECN Jacob H. Raines, NMCB 3, fights through knee-high mud and water while running a six-hour endurance course at the Marine Corps Jungle Warfare Training Center, Okinawa, Japan, Jan. 12. NMCB 3 is deployed to several countries in the Pacific Area of Operations conducting construction operations and humanitarian assistance projects. (Photo by MC1 Michael Gomez/160112-N-YG415-010)
Seabees assigned to U.S. Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 3 successfully completed jungle warfare training, Okinawa, Japan, Jan. 15.
Forty-seven Seabees took to the Northern Training Area (NTA) at the remote Marine Corps Jungle Warfare Training Course (JWTC) at Camp Gonsalves to participate alongside Marines in the Basic Skills Course. The rigorous five-day course teaches the skills necessary to sustain combat operations in the jungle environment.
JWTC is a training camp run exclusively by Marine instructors to build confidence by introducing tough, team-building exercises. For this particular exercise, the instructors pushed Seabees through a 3.4-mile jungle endurance course.
I loved it, said Builder Constructionman Apprentice Anthony H. Harris, NMCB 3. I jumped into it not knowing what was going to happen. My favorite part was the endurance course [because it tests your skills physically and mentally, pushing yourself to the very limits.
The course focused on practical application of skills such as first aid, communications, booby traps, knot tying, rappelling, land navigation and patrolling.
We kept each other motivated, said Builder 2nd Class Octavio Garcia, NMCB 3. I liked it because we figured out how to work together. Someone had an idea [so] we tried it and it worked. Teamwork was the most important part of the training.
The JWTC occupies 17,500 acres of jungle in the NTA. The hilly and rugged terrain, topped with single and double canopy forest, has been challenging Marines and Sailors in the art of jungle warfare for more than 50 years.
NMCB 3 is homeported in Port Hueneme, California, and is currently deployed to Okinawa, Japan. The mission of NMCB 3 is to support Navy and joint forces throughout the U.S. Pacific Command Area of Responsibility through construction projects and humanitarian missions in more than 13 geographical locations.
Lt. j.g. Collin T. Sturdivant, NMCB 3, pulls his teammate up to reach the top of a wall obstacle during a six-hour endurance course at the Marine Corps Jungle Warfare Training Center (JWTC), Okinawa, Japan, Jan. 12. The JWTC endurance course tests the Seabees will, stamina and the ability to work together as a team. (Photo by MC1 Michael Gomez/160112-N-YG415-041)
Ens. Frank S. Sysko, NMCB 3, holds his breath while he exits a mud-filled trench during a jungle warfare training evolution hosted by Marines with the Jungle Warfare Training Center, Okinawa, Japan, Jan 12. (Photo by MC1 Michael Gomez/160112-N-YG415-115)
CM2 Oscar C. Delarosa, NMCB 3, gasps for air after crawling through muddy trenches during a 3.8-mile obstacle course at the Jungle Warfare Training Center, located in the Northern Training Area on the island of Okinawa, Japan, Jan. 12. (Photo by MC1 Michael Gomez/160112-N-YG415-116)
Seabees with NMCB 3 work together to exit a mud-filled trench during a jungle warfare training evolution hosted by Marines with the Jungle Warfare Training Center, Okinawa, Japan, Jan. 12. (Photo by MC1 Michael Gomez/160112-N-YG415-122)
CM2 Shawn P. Conley, NMCB 3, traverses a mud-filled trench during a jungle warfare training evolution hosted by Marines with the Jungle Warfare Training Center, Okinawa, Japan, Jan. 12. (Photo by MC1 Michael Gomez/160112-N-YG415-129)
CM1 Joshua W. Karr, NMCB 3, takes a moment to collect himself after crawling through a mud-filled trench, as he prepares to lead his team through the next training evolution during jungle warfare training hosted by Marines with the Jungle Warfare Training Center, Okinawa, Japan, Jan. 12. (Photo by MC1 Michael Gomez/160112-N-YG415-153)
Seabees from NMCB 3 carry a mock casualty on an improvised stretcher through the jungle while running a six-hour endurance course at the Marine Corps Jungle Warfare Training Center (JWTC), Okinawa, Japan, Jan. 12. A total of 49 NMCB 3 Seabees attended the five-day JWTC course. (Photo by MC1 Michael Gomez/160112-N-YG415-159)