Naval Reserve
February 2004
L. G. DeVries, CAPT, CEC, USNR (Ret.)
Reserve Seabees Activated for Current Operations
A significant number of Navy Reserve construction force units and sub-units were activated from reserve status into full-time federal service in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom in 2003. The Navy Seabee military construction mission is a significant contribution to the military’s joint effort.
The Reserve Seabee program of the Navy Reserve had its organizational roots dating to the program’s start on December 31, 1947. Since that time the program has activated individuals and units for all of the major national contingencies when federal reserve forces were called, including the first Gulf War. The activation of the today’s Navy Reserve Seabees is similar in many respects to activations for past reserve force call-ups.
In support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom from the east and south two Reserve Seabee battalions were activated to date:
Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 21 personnel were activated from reserve status beginning 4 February 2003. The unit is headquartered at Naval Air Engineering Center, Lakehurst, New Jersey, and has detachments in four states. Reserve Seabees from its 12 detachments were recalled along with command staff. Approximately 7 officers and 253 enlisted Seabees were mobilized through their local reserve centers and departed the United States from CBC Gulfport, MS. CAPT Timothy Zakriski, CEC, USNR, (Scotia, NY) was the Commanding Officer of the unit and EQCM Anthony Moody, (Philadelphia, PA) was the Command Master Chief. One major detachment forward deployed with Operation Iraqi Freedom (I MEF MEG); a second deployed to the Caribbean while additional personnel augmented NMCB-26 in Rota and CBC Gulfport. See reference to award of PUC.
Unit
NMCB-21
Deployment CO >
CAPT Timothy G. Zakriski, CEC, USNR, Scotia, NY
Deployment Command Master Chief (CMDMC) EQCM Anthony Moody, USNR, Philadelphia, PA Activation Photo Photo >
Caption >
SEABEE DEPLOYMENT 21-4.jpg “The 260 members of Reserve Seabee Battalion NMCB-21 form up at Construction Battalion Center Gulfport, MS, during mobilization activities in early March 2003 prior to deploying overseas”. Deployment Photo Photo > NMCB21_030414-N-2257R-002.jpg Caption > 030414-N-2257R-002 Umm Qasr, Iraq (Apr. 14, 2003) -- Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON) Terry D. Scott stands in the court yard of a secondary school for girls, while a Navy Seabee from Naval Reserve Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 21, Lakehurst, N.J. stands guard from a rooftop. Master Chief Scott spent the week visiting with Sailors deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Operation Iraqi Freedom is the Multi-national coalition effort to liberate the Iraqi people, eliminate Iraqi’s weapons of mass destruction and end the regime of Saddam Hussein. U.S. Navy photo by Senior Chief Journalist Brian D. Roscoe. (RELEASED)
Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 28 was activated from reserve status on 31 January 2003. The unit is headquartered at Barksdale Air Force Base, Shreveport, LA, and has detachments in 4 states. One (1) heavy air detachment of reserve Seabees was formed from its detachments and recalled to deploy to the Pacific area of responsibility. About 5 officers and 120 enlisted reserve Seabees mobilized through Construction Battalion Center (CBC) Port Hueneme, CA and departed the United States from the CBC. CDR Rich Curbello, CEC, USNR, (Portland, TX) was the Commanding Officer of the unit and CMDMC R. W. Gates, USNR, (Houston, TX) was the Command Master Chief. The air detachment redeployed from Guam for demobilization in Port Hueneme, CA.
Unit NMCB-28
Deployment CO >
CDR Rich L. Curbello, CEC, USNR (Portland, TX)
Deployment Command Master Chief (CMDMC) CMDMC R. W. Gates, USNR (Houston, TX)
Activation Photo Not available Deployment Photo >
Not Available Caption >
From the Midwest three Reserve Seabee battalions were activated:
Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 15 was activated from reserve status on 14 March 2003. The unit is headquartered in Belton, MO, (near Kansas City ) and has detachments in 5 states. One (1) heavy air detachment of reserve Seabees was formed from its detachments and recalled to deploy to the Southwest Asia area of responsibility (AOR). About 5 officers and 120 enlisted reserve Seabees mobilized through Construction Battalion Center (CBC) Port Hueneme, CA and departed the United States from the CBC. CAPT(s) Terrance Mahoney, CEC, USNR (Williams, IN) was the Commanding Officer of the unit and CMDMC Bruce Blankenship, USNR (Marshfield, MO) was the Command Master Chief. The air detachment was deployed in support of the FIRST Marine Expeditionary Force Marine Engineer Group (I MEF MEG). See reference to award of PUC.
Unit NMCB-15
Deployment CO
CAPT(s) Terrance M. Mahoney, CEC, USNR (Williams, IN)
Deployment Command Master Chief ((CMDMC) CMDMC Bruce Blankenship, USNR (Marshfield, MO)
Activation Photo > Not Available Caption >
Deployment Photos Photo > Caption >
030523-N-5362A-015.jpg 030523-N-5362A-015 Al Hillah, Iraq (May 23, 2003) -- Builder 2nd Class Bruce Schmiderer, a U.S. Navy Seabee assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion Fifteen (NMCB-15) helps to build a playground at a school in Al Hillah, Iraq. NMCB-15 is forward deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and is involved in humanitarian assistance building projects throughout Iraq, that are aimed at improving the lives of the nation’s citizens. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 1st Class Arlo K. Abrahamson. (RELEASED)
Photo > Caption >
HM2 JERRY STINSON NMCB15.jpg 030523-N-5362A-004 Al Hillah, Iraq (May 23, 2003) -- Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Jerry Stinson assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion Fifteen (NMCB-15) treats an Iraqi girl’s leg injury at an elementary school in Al Hillah. NMCB-15 is operating in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Operation Iraqi Freedom is the multi-national coalition effort to liberate the Iraqi people, eliminate Iraq's weapons of mass destruction, and end the regime of Saddam Hussein. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 1st Class Arlo K. Abrahamson. (RELEASED)
Photo > Caption
NMCB15_030527-N-5362A-007.jpg 030527-N-5362A-007 Al Hillah, Iraq (May 27, 2003) -- Builder 1st Class Clay Graham assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion Fifteen (NMCB-15) stands guard outside an elementary school in Al Hillah. NMCB-15 is forward deployed to Iraq and is working on various humanitarian assistance projects as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Operation Iraqi Freedom is the multi-national coalition effort to liberate the Iraqi people, eliminate Iraq's weapons of mass destruction, and end the regime of Saddam Hussein. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 1st Class Arlo K. Abrahamson. (RELEASED)
Photo > Caption >
NMCB15_TWO_SEABEES.jpg Two Navy Engineers of Naval Mobile Construction Battalion-15 (NMCB-15) repair piping to a sink, in a classroom of a local school in Al HIllah, Iraq on May 6, 2003. NMCB-15 is in Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Operation Iraqi Freedom is a multi-national coalition effort to liberate the Iraqi people, eliminate Iraq's weapons of mass destruction and end the regime of Saddam Hussein. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Christopher Graham) (Released)
Photo by: LCPL. CHRISTOPHER GRAHAM, 1ST MARINE DIVISION
Record ID No. (VIRIN): 030506-M-5882G-009
Photo > Caption >
NMCB15_babylonrehab1lr.jpg Using a fire hose, Petty Officer 3rd Class Timothy P. Furr, a mechanic from Springfield Mo., cleans up the entrance of the ruins of the ancient walled city of Babylon, Iraq. His reserve Seabee unit, Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 15, based out of Kansas City, Mo., is working along side Marines, soldiers and Iraqis to rehabilitate some of the museum grounds that were damaged by looters shortly after the fall of Saddam Hussein.
Photo taken 06/07/2003 by Army Sgt. Michael SweetPhoto > Caption >
School-in-Iraq-15-052703.jpg Students from the Westside Primary School in Al Hillah, Iraq crowd around Chief Petty Officer Martin H. Manhart, a Reservist from Omaha, Neb. His Seabees from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 15, Air Detachment just completed rehabilitating the school after three weeks of work. The Seabees dealt with challenges such as removing ammunition from the school and they also built a new playground for the kids. Marines from 1st Battalion, 4th Marines guarded the school during the reconstruction.
Photo by: Army Sgt. Mike Sweet
Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 25 was activated from reserve status on 1 February 2003. The unit is headquartered at Army Base Ft. McCoy, Wisconsin, and has detachments in 6 states. One (1) heavy air detachment of reserve Seabees was formed from its detachments and recalled to deploy to the Southwest Asia area of responsibility (AOR). About 5 officers and 120 enlisted reserve Seabees mobilized through Construction Battalion Center (CBC) Port Hueneme, CA and departed the United States from the CBC. CDR Don Hedrick, CEC, USNR, (Shreveport, LA) is the Commanding Officer of the unit and CMDMC Christine Beck, USNR, (Stevens Point, WI) is the Command Master Chief. The air detachment was deployed in support of the FIRST Marine Expeditionary Force Marine Engineer Group (I MEF MEG). See reference to award of PUC.
Unit NMCB-25
Deployment CO >
CDR Don E. Hedrick, CEC, USNR (Shreveport, LA)
Deployment Command Master Chief (CMDMC) CMDMC Christine Beck, USNR (Stevens Point, WI)
Activation Photo Not available Deployment Photo >
Caption >
NMCB25_030302-A-8380W-003.jpg 030302-A-8380W-003 Valdez, Alaska (Mar. 2, 2003) -- Seabees assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion Three (NMCB-3) and Naval Mobile Construction Battalion Two Five (NMCB-25) build a hangar as part of Operation Northern Edge 2003. Operation Northern Edge is designed to practice cold weather operations and enhance interoperability among the armed forces. U.S. Army photo by Specialist James-Denton Wyllie. (RELEASED)
Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 26 was activated from reserve status beginning 29 January 2003 thru March 2003. The unit is headquartered at Selfridge Air National Guard Base, Mt. Clemens, MI, (northeast of Detroit ) and has 15 detachments in 3 states. Two (2) heavy air detachments of reserve Seabees and a main body were formed from its detachments and recalled to deploy to the European Area of Responsibility (AOR). About 24 officers and 610 enlisted reserve Seabees mobilized through Construction Battalion Center (CBC) Gulfport, MS, and departed the United States from the Air National Guard Base, Gulfport, MS. The recall and deployment of this unit was in four phases:
1) Air Detachment #1, 4 Feb 2003, 125 personnel
2) Air Detachment #2, 5 March 2003, 125 personnel
3) Main Body, 12 March 2003, 315 personnel
4) Last Group, 1st week of April 2003, 55 personnel
CDR Daniel Stehly, CEC, USNR, (Joplin, MO) was the Commanding Officer of NMCB 26 and CMDMC Richard Abernathy, USNR, (Lake St. Clair, MI) was the Command Master Chief. The unit was deployed in Rota, Spain; Souda Bay, Crete; and Sigonella, Italy.
Unit NMCB-26
Deployment CO >
CDR Daniel W. Stehly, CEC, USNR, (Joplin MO)
Deployment Command Master Chief (CMDMC) > CMDMC Richard Abernathy, USNR, (Lake St. Clair, Michigan ) Activation Photo >
Photo > Caption >
NMCB26_Departure.jpg "About 23 officers and 597 enlisted reserve Seabees of NMCB-26 mobilized through Construction Battalion Center Gulfport, MS, and departed the United States from Air National Guard Base, Gulfport, MS. Departure was in five phases from early February to early April 2003. The unit forward deployed to Naval Station, Rota, Spain." Photo >
Caption >
NMCB26HR_030417-N-77245-001.jpg 030417-N-7724S-001 Rota, Spain (Apr. 17, 2003) -- Steelworker 3rd Class Rebecca Powers puts the final touches on a sign notifying visitors that Naval Mobil Construction Battalion Twenty Six (NMCB-26) is the new tenant of spaces at Camp Mitchell. NMCB-26 Reservists have been deployed to Rota in support of Operations Noble Eagle and Enduring Freedom. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 2nd Class Christopher A. Stone. (RELEASED) Photo >
Caption >
030618-N-9433H-002.jpg 030618-N-9433H-002 Naval Air Station (NAS) Sigonella, Sicily (Jun. 18, 2003) -- Construction Mechanic 2nd Class Craig Nelson assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion Two Six (NMCB-26), is working on a semi-tractor used to haul heavy equipment. Petty Officer Nelson is replacing the air-compressor, steering system, and alternator. NMCB-26 is home-based in Detroit, Mich., and the main body is currently deployed to Rota, Spain, with other detachments deployed forward. NAS Sigonella provides logistical support for Sixth Fleet and NATO forces in the Mediterranean Sea. U.S. Navy photo by Journalist 2nd Class David Hamilton. (RELEASED)
From the West the following Reserve Seabee units were activated:
The FIRST Naval Construction Regiment was activated from reserve status on 27 November 2002. The unit is headquartered at Construction Battalion Center (CBC), Port Hueneme, CA. Ten (10) officers and twenty-one (21) enlisted reserve Seabees mobilized through Construction Battalion Center, Port Hueneme, CA and departed the United States for assignment as relief for the THIRTIETH Naval Construction Regiment. CAPT Robert Jackson, CEC, USNR (Alpine, CA) was the Commodore of the unit and CMDMC Richard Middleton, USNR (city, state) was the Command Master Chief. The unit was redeployed from Pearl Harbor, Hawaii for demobilization.
Unit 1st NCR
Deployment CO >
CAPT Robert C. Jackson, CEC, USNR (Alpine, CA)
Deployment Command Master Chief (CMDMC) > CMDMC Richard Middleton, USNR (city, state)
Activation Photo Not available Deployment Photo >
Not available Caption >
Naval Construction Force Support Unit 2 was activated from reserve status on 31 January 2003. The unit is headquartered in Port Hueneme, CA, and has detachments in California. The unit was formed from its detachments and recalled to deploy to the Southwest Asia area of responsibility (AOR). About 11 officers and 173 enlisted for a total of 185 in the unit mobilized through Naval Base Ventura County (Construction Battalion Center), Port Hueneme, CA and departed the United States from the CBC. CAPT David Mori, CEC, USNR, (Irvine, CA) was the Commanding Officer of the unit and CMDMC Robert Jacobsen, USNR, (Fountain Green, UT) was the Command Master Chief. The unit was deployed in support of the FIRST Marine Expeditionary Force Marine Engineer Group (I MEF MEG).
The following units were awarded the Presidential Unit Citation per MARADMIN No. 507/03:
I MEF ENGINEER GROUP COMMAND ELEMENT
30TH NAVAL CONSTRUCTION REGIMENT22D NAVAL CONSTRUCTION REGIMENT
265th Engineer Group, ARNG
NAVAL MOBILE CONSTRUCTION BATTALION 4
NAVAL MOBILE CONSTRUCTION BATTALION 5
NAVAL MOBILE CONSTRUCTION BATTALION 7
NAVAL MOBILE CONSTRUCTION BATTALION 74
NAVAL MOBILE CONSTRUCTION BATTALION 133
NAVAL MOBILE CONSTRUCTION BATTALION 15 AIR DETNAVAL MOBILE CONSTRUCTION BATTALION 21 AIR DET
NAVAL MOBILE CONSTRUCTION BATTALION 25 AIR DET
NAVAL CONSTRUCTION FORCE SUPPORT UNIT 2 (-)CONSTRUCTION BATTALION MAINTENANCE UNIT 303 DET
UNDERWATER CONSTRUCTION TEAM 2 AIR DET1092d Engineer Battalion (Corps)(Wheel), ARNG
478th Engineer Battalion (Corps)(Mech), USAR
end
Unit NCFSU 2
Deployment CO >
CAPT David K. Mori, CEC, USNR (Irvine, CA)
Deployment Command Master Chief (CMDMC) > CMDMC Robert Jacobsen, USNR (Fountain Green, Utah) Activation Photo Not available Deployment Photo >
030409-N-2517J-002.jpg Caption >
030409-N-2517J-002 Central Command Area of Responsibility (Apr. 4, 2003) -- Task Force Charlie Seabees assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion One Thirty Three (NMCB-133) and Salvage Unit [sic Support Unit] Two (SU-2) provide road improvements on one of the main supply routes supporting combat operations during Operation Iraqi Freedom. The crew will grade the rock and compact it with a smooth-drum vibratory roller, then the area will be sprayed with an asphalt emulsion. Task Force Charlie is composed of NMCB-4, NMCB-133, NMCB-74, SU-2, and Construction Battalion Maintenance Units Three Zero Three (CBMU-303). A large portion of Task Force Charlie is in Iraq to lend construction support to combatant forces. Operation Iraqi Freedom is the multi-national coalition effort to liberate the Iraqi people, eliminate Iraq’s weapons of mass destruction, and end the regime of Saddam Hussein. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 2nd Class Jacob Johnson. (RELEASED)
Construction Battalion Maintenance Unit 303 was activated from reserve status on 17 January 2003. The unit is headquartered at Naval Base, San Diego, CA, and has detachments in California. The Seabees were formed from its detachments and recalled to deploy to the Southwest Asia area of responsibility (AOR). About 2 officers and 40 enlisted reserve Seabees mobilized through naval Mobilization Processing Site (NMPS) San Diego, CA and Construction Battalion Center (CBC) Port Hueneme, CA and departed the United States from the CBC. CDR Steven Wolfe, CEC, USNR, (Vista, CA) was the Commanding Officer of the unit and CMDMC Sauseda, USNR, (city, state) was the Command Master Chief. The unit was redeployed from support of the FIRST Marine Expeditionary Force Marine Engineer Group (I MEF MEG) and demobilized. See reference to award of PUC.
Unit CBMU 303
Deployment CO > CDR Steven R. Wolfe, CEC, USNR, (Vista, CA)
Deployment Command Master Chief (CMDMC) > CMDMC Sauseda, USNR, (city, state) Activation Photo Not available Deployment Photo >
Caption >
CBMU-303_030409-N-2517J-004.jpg 030409-N-2517J-004 Central Command Area of Responsibility (Apr. 4, 2003) -- Task Force Charlie Seabees assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion One Thirty Three (NMCB-133) and Salvage Unit [sic Support Unit] Two (SU-2) provide road improvements on one of the main supply routes supporting combat operations during Operation Iraqi Freedom. The crew will grade the rock and compact it with a smooth-drum vibratory roller, then the area will be sprayed with an asphalt emulsion. Task Force Charlie is composed of NMCB-4, NMCB-133, NMCB-74, SU-2, and Construction Battalion Maintenance Units Three Zero Three (CBMU-303). A large portion of Task Force Charlie is in Iraq to lend construction support to combatant forces. Operation Iraqi Freedom is the multi-national coalition effort to liberate the Iraqi people, eliminate Iraq’s weapons of mass destruction, and end the regime of Saddam Hussein. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 2nd Class Jacob Johnson. (RELEASED)
A number of augment units were activated:
The TWENTY SECOND Naval Construction Regiment Augment Unit was activated from reserve status on 29 January 2003. The unit is headquartered at Construction Battalion Center (CBC) Gulfport, MS. Five (5) officers and thirteen (13) enlisted reserve Seabees mobilized through Construction Battalion Center, Gulfport, MS and augmented 22 NCR staff in Gulfport, MS. CAPT Mac Thigpen, CEC, USNR, (Mt. Pleasant, SC) served as Commodore for the 22nd NCR and CMDMC Barry Fletcher, USNR (city, state) as the Command Master with elements of the staff moved forward in support of the FIRST Marine Expeditionary Force Marine Engineer Group (I MEF MEG). The unit was redeployed from Southwest Asia and Gulfport, MS for demobilization. See reference to award of PUC.
Unit 22nd NCR Augment
Deployment CO >
CAPT W. M. Mac Thigpen, CEC, USNR, (Mt. Pleasant, SC)
Deployment Command Master Chief (CMDMC) > CMDMC Barry Fletcher, USNR (city, state)
Activation Photo Not available Deployment Photo >
Not available Caption >
The TWENTIETH Seabee Readiness Group (20SRG) Augment was activated from reserve status on 29 January 2003. The unit is headquartered at Construction Battalion Center (CBC) Gulfport, MS. Two (2) officers and thirty-four (32) enlisted reserve Seabees mobilized through Construction Battalion Center, Gulfport, MS and augmented 20SRG staff in Gulfport, MS with elements of the staff moved forward in support of the FIRST Marine Expeditionary Force Marine Engineer Group (I MEF MEG). The unit was redeployed from Southwest Asia and Gulfport, MS for demobilization.
The THIRTY FIRST Seabee Readiness Group (31SRG) Augment was activated from reserve status on 29 January 2003. The unit is headquartered at Construction Battalion Center (CBC) Port Hueneme, CA. Thirty one (31) enlisted reserve Seabees mobilized through Construction Battalion Center, Port Hueneme, CA and augmented 31SRG staff in Gulfport, MS with elements of the staff moved forward in support of the FIRST Marine Expeditionary Force Marine Engineer Group (I MEF MEG). The unit was redeployed from Southwest Asia and Port Hueneme, CA for demobilization.
The FIRST Naval Construction Division Augment and FIRST Naval Construction Division (Forward) were activated from reserve status. The units are staffed by reserve officers and enlisted from throughout the United States. Nine (9) officers and six (6) enlisted reserve Seabees mobilized through Construction Battalion Center, Port Hueneme, CA; NMPS, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii; and NMPS Norfolk, VA and augmented 1NCD Staff in Little Creek, VA and 1NCD Forward staff in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
Other company-sized Reserve Seabee units were activated also. Naval Mobile Construction Battalion Augment units are company-sized units that are designed to provide equipment operators and equipment mechanics as a unit to supplement a pre-designated parent operating battalion. In most cases the augment unit is attached to a Seabee battalion.
Augment Unit Reserve Unit Location
NMCB 133 (Augment) Det 01133 Portland , Maine
NMCB 7 Detachment C Syracuse, NY
NMCB 5 Detachment 0105 Ft. Worth, TX
NMCB 1 Detachment B Selfridge ANGB, MI
The reserve Seabees units deployed in 2003 had all returned to the United States by September 5, 2003 and were deactivated.
Amphibious Seabees of ACB-1 Reporting to Naval Beach Group 1/Pacific Fleet
Amphibious Construction Battalion 1 was supported by augment Detachments at NAVRESCENS. Five officers and 44 Seabees were activated on individual orders during the period 1/17/2003 - 3/7/2003 from supporting detachments.