By UT3 Stephen Sisler, Naval Construction Group One Public Affairs
Seabees assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 5 breach a house during NMCB 5 s Convoy Security Element Field Training Exercise held by NCG 1 s training department, March 23. NCG 1 provides training, logistics, and operational support to West Coast Seabees, as well as all Naval Construction Forces in the Pacific. NMCB 5 is currently in its homeport training cycle in Port Hueneme. (U.S. Navy photo by Utilitiesman 3rd Class Stephen Sisler/160323-N-HD670-580)
Seabees assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 5 completed a Convoy Security Element (CSE) Field Training Exercise (FTX) held by Naval Construction Group (NCG) 1 s training department, March 24.
The CSE FTX is one of the pre-deployment requirements for the battalion to complete as part of their deployment certification. During the course, more than 60 Seabees from NMCB 5 s CSE trained on the how to clear buildings, conduct mounted and dismounted patrols, how to set location security, and on how to move and work as a team.
"This training is needed to provide Naval Construction Force (NCF) personnel with the knowledge and skills to operate tactically in the urban environment, and in accordance with current NCF tactics and procedures," said Builder 1
st Class De'Armond Mahn, lead instructor for the course. "We teach them to think for themselves, utilizing small unit leadership, tactical decision making and get the job done as tactically and safely as possible.
Utilitiesman 3rd Class Angiulli Davalos, assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 5, returns fire while under a simulated attack on her convoy during NMCB 5 s Convoy Security Element Field Training Exercise held by Naval Construction Group (NCG) 1 s training department, March 22. NCG 1 provides training, logistics, and operational support to West Coast Seabees, as well as all Naval Construction Forces in the Pacific. NMCB 5 is currently in its homeport training cycle in Port Hueneme. (U.S. Navy photo by Utilitiesman 3rd Class Stephen Sisler/160322-N-HD670-895)
The training required months of preparation. All members of the CSE completed an array of prerequisites based on their individual jobs on the team. Gunners and assistant gunners completed a crew serve weapons course, all E4 and below completed a fire team leader course and more senior members of the team attended a squad leader course, with chiefs and officers required to complete the tactical unit leader course.
"The reason Seabees have convoys is because we have material, troops, and equipment that need to be moved from one point to the other via a ground movement," said Mahn. "The reason for the security on conveys is to provide that element of insurance that naval forces and collation forces will get to point A and point B safely."
The training was the final event for the CSE team prior to an upcoming, battalion-wide field training exercise.
NCG 1 prepares Pacific Fleet Naval Construction Force units to conduct deliberate construction in support of Combatant Commanders, Numbered Fleet Commanders, Marine Air-Ground Task Forces, and other warfighter requirements.
Construction Mechanic Constructionman Thue Xiong and Equipment Operator 3rd Class James Powell, both assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 5, move a simulated casualty during NMCB 5 s Convoy Security Element Field Training Exercise held by Naval Construction Group (NCG) 1 s training department, March 23. NCG 1 provides training, logistics, and operational support to West Coast Seabees, as well as all Naval Construction Forces in the Pacific. NMCB 5 is currently in its homeport training cycle in Port Hueneme. (U.S. Navy photo by Utilitiesman 3rd Class Stephen Sisler/160323-N-HD670-302)