The SIXTH Reserve Naval Construction Regiment was formed in July 1967 as part of the Reserve Naval Construction Regiments authorized at that time. The Regiment originally included three battalions (Reserve NMCB's 20, 21, 23) and was headquartered at Alexandria, Virginia (Jones Point). The roots of the component battalions trace to World War II with service in Alaska, Asia, the South Pacific and various areas of the continental United States before their deactivation in 1946.

The first Commander, SIXTH Reserve Naval Construction Regiment was CAPT J. B. WYBLE, CEC, USNR. At that time the Regiment staff consisted of four officers and four enlisted personnel in pay status.

In May 1968 RNMCBs 12 and 22 were recalled to active duty and deployed to Southeast Asia returning one year later. In 1968 and 1969 the SIXTH Regiment deployed for ACDUTRA to Construction Battalion Center (CBC) Gulfport, Mississippi, except for RNMCB-21, which deployed to Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, NC.

On 1 July 1969, CAPT Robert G. JACKSON, CEC, USNR, relieved CAPT WYBLE as Regimental Commander. A month later the Navy established the First Reserve Naval Construction Brigade (1st RNCB) assigning RNMCB-23 and 26 to the SIXTH Regiment and RNMCB-20 and 21 to the EIGHTH Regiment. In 1969, RNMCB-23 was chosen RNCF Best of Type.

The highlight of 1970 was the establishment of Permanent Drill Sites designated as the equivalent of a battalion “homeport” for each of the Reserve battalions. The SIXTH Regiment spent its ACDUTRA for 1970-71 at CBC Gulfport, MS where members helped to repair facilities ravaged by Hurricane Camille. Detached units also aided in the construction of Camp HILL in the DeSoto National Forest.

On 1 July 1971 CAPT George F. TITRINGTON, CEC, USNR, relieved CAPT JACKSON as Commander of the SIXTH Reserve Naval Construction Regiment. All ACDUTRA during CAPT TITRINGTON's tour was also performed at CBC Gulfport, MS, as the Regiment continued to benefit from the expertise of Seabees returning from combat in Vietnam. In April 1972 RNMCB 14 deployed more than 400 men for two weeks at Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico. This was the first overseas deployment of Reserve battalions for a peacetime contributory support mission.

On 1 July 1973, CAPT Torwald H. TORGERSON, CEC, USNR, relieved CAPT TITRINGTON and the Regimental Headquarters shifted to a much improved facility at NAS Glenview, IL. Readiness Duty (REDDU) in FY 74 and FY 75 again took place at CBC Gulfport, MS. For REDDU-75, RNMCB-26 earned one of only two outstanding battalion ratings. Best of Type battalion selections were not made during 1975. During CAPT TORGERSON's tour of duty, the SIXTH Reserve Naval Construction Regiment was again reorganized. RNMCB-23 was reassigned to an East Coast Regiment and RNMCB-20 rejoined the SIXTH RNCR as the sister battalion to RNMCB-26 .

On 1 July 1975, CAPT TORGERSON was relieved by then CAPT James E. MANTEL, CEC, USNR, who retained command until his selection as Rear Admiral.

In January 1976 the Regiment and both battalions completed REDDU-76 at CBC Gulfport, MS. Four Regional Representative offices were established in July 1976 to advise and assist regimental and battalion staffs with assignment orders, training orders and other matters.

On 1 July 1976, CAPT David O. SMART, CEC, USNR, relieved RADM (Select) MANTEL to begin a tour marked by significant changes in the types of REDDU performed by the attached battalions.

In January 1977 RNMCB-20 and a portion of the Regimental staff deployed to Fort Drum, NY, for two weeks of cold weather indoctrination. Daily snowfall sometimes exceeded two feet, as the Blizzard of ‘77 engulfed the Northeastern United States and trapped the Seabees four days beyond their scheduled departure date. This afforded an excellent opportunity to strengthen the cold weather capabilities of the battalion, to the benefit of both the Fort and the surrounding community. In May 1977 RNMCB-26 and a portion of the Regimental staff underwent advanced military training at MCDEC Quantico, VA. Other detachments deployed to Guantanamo Naval Base, Cuba and Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico. These diverse REDDUs greatly enhanced the military and organizational readiness of the Regiment.

On 1 October 1977, CAPT SMART was relieved as Commander by CAPT William D. ASHTON, CEC, USNR. REDDU-78 for the SIXTH Regiment again took place at CBC Gulfport, MS, where unit members underwent professional and military skills training, completed several valuable community construction projects and conducted NBC Warfare, Embarkation and Air Detachment contingency exercises.

On 1 October 1978, CAPT Richard W. BRAUN, CEC, USNR, relieved CAPT ASHTON as Commander. ACDUTRA-79 took place in April at Camp Upshur, Marine Corps Development and Education Command, Quantico, VA with military skills training for RNMCB-20 and RNMCB-26. Exercises included air strikes, joint operations with Marine forces and an Army hospital unit, and an air detachment. Projects included repairs to barracks, various roads, an M-60 range and the obstacle course.

In March of 1980, the SIXTH RNCR deployed with RNMCB-20 and 26 to CBC Gulfport, MS, for professional training in construction skills. This was also the year for details and detachments to Fort Drum; Vieques Island, Puerto Rico; Guantanamo Bay Naval Base, Cuba and Naval Station Rota, Spain.

On 1 October 1980, CAPT David R. KOSKI, CEC, USNR, relieved CAPT BRAUN as Commander. A new unit was assigned to the SIXTH RNCR: Reserve Naval Construction Battalion Maintenance Unit 302. The SIXTH RNCR, along with RNMCB-26 and NR CBMU-302 deployed to Camp Shelby, MS, an Army National Guard Base about 40 miles north of CBC Gulfport, MS. Personnel were trained in unit military exercises at Camp Shelby and attended schools necessary to obtain needed Navy Enlisted Codes at Naval Construction Training Center at CBC Gulfport, MS. In May 1982 the Regiment and its units deployed to CBC Gulfport, MS, for project and technical skill training.

On 1 October 1982, CAPT Robert A. BARCLAY, CEC, USNR, relieved CAPT KOSKI as Commander. In May 1983, the Regiment along with RNMCB-26, RNMCB-20, and NR CBMU-302 deployed to MCDEC Quantico, VA for military training.

In June 1983 the Construction Battalion Hospital Unit program was established. These augment units generally consisted of __ officers and ___ enlisted personnel of Seabee rates. The unit’s mission was to support the setup, maintenance and utilities operations of Fleet Hospitals in the Naval Reserve Fleet Hospital Program. On 1 October 1983, Fleet Hospital CBHU-113 at NRC Forest Park, IL, was established and added to the SIXTH RNCR. This was the first Construction Battalion Hospital Unit (CBHU) to be established. A second Hospital Unit, CBHU-118 at St. Louis Area Support Center, Granite City, IL, was established in March 1984. NR CBMU-302 dedicated its Permanent Drill Site at St. Louis Area Support Center, Granite City, IL in September 1983.

In October 1983, RNMCB-26 moved from NAS Glenview, IL, to a new Permanent Drill Site at NAF Detroit, MI (Selfridge Air National Guard Base) and RNMCB-20 had to reconstruct and relocate its Permanent Drill Site to different buildings at Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base, Columbus, OH. In April 1984 the Regiment deployed to CBC Davisville, RI, along with RNMCB-20, RNMCB-26, NR CBMU-302 and CBHU-113.

On 1 October 1984 CAPT R. Gerard HEPBURN, CEC, USNR, relieved CAPT BARCLAY as Commander. NR CBMU-302 was renamed Reserve Naval Construction Force Support Unit FOUR (RNCFSU-4) on 1 October 1984. The authorized allowance of that unit was 12 officers and 202 enlisted personnel. In April 1985, the Regiment along with RNMCB-26, RNCFSU-4, CBHU-113 and CBHU-118, deployed to Marine Corps Base 29 Palms, CA, for Unit Military Skills Training. RNMCB-20 conducted a Greenstinger Exercise deploying their Air Detachment from their Permanent Drill Site in Columbus, OH, to Camp Atterbury, IN, for ACDUTRA in August 1985.

In April 1986 the Regiment deployed to Army Training Center, Fort Benning, GA along with RNMCB-20, RNMCB-26, RNCFSU-4 and CBHU-118 renamed CBHU-18D for Unit Military Skills Training. CBHU-113 now CBHU-13, deployed to MCB Camp Pendleton. Project work as well as Military Skills Training was conducted there. In September, the Regiment completed management of the construction of a new Cargo Handling Platform at Columbus, OH. This was a major achievement in exercising direct construction management of a two year planning and construction project.

RNMCB-26, commanded by CDR David L. BURRUS, was named Reserve Naval Construction Force "Best of Type" for FY86. CBHU-113 was decommissioned at NRC, Forest Park, IL.

On 1 October 1986 CAPT Richard C. CULLERTON, CEC, USNR, relieved CAPT HEPBURN as Commander. In January 1987 the Regiment deployed to CBC Gulfport, MS, for Technical Training along with RNMCB-20, an RNMCB-26 Detachment, RNCFSU-4, and CBHU-18D (renamed RNCBHU-22). RNMCB-26 completed a Greenstinger Exercise in July 1987 deploying it’s Air Detachment from their NAF DETROIT Permanent Drill Site to Camp Atterbury, IN.

In FY87 the Regiment was assigned Operational Control (OPCON) of all LANTFLT construction and support as RNCF construction detachments were deployed to that area. Subunit detachments were deployed to USNS Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico; NAS Bermuda; Guantanamo Bay Naval Base, Cuba; Camp Rodman, Panama and Naval Station Rota, Spain.

In March 1988 the Regiment deployed to Army Training Center, Fort Jackson, SC with RNMCB-20 and RNMCB-26. A Mobilization Exercise involving both battalions and RNCFSU-4 was conducted testing NAVRESCEN mobilization procedures as part of FY88 ACDUTRA. The ACDUTRA emphasized individual military skill training plus practical field training culminating in a Field Exercise (FEX). RNCFSU-4 deployed to MCB Camp Pendleton, CA for military training. RNCBHU-22 deployed in two details to MCB Camp Pendleton for Fleet Hospital training.

On 1 October 1988 CAPT Richard D. Shepard relieved CAPT Cullerton as Commander. In 1989 the Regiment staff deployed to --

In ------ 1989 RNMCB 20 deployed to _______________.RNMCB 26 deployed to CBC Port Hueneme in April 1989 and conducted a Wooden Fist (Contingency Crew Construction Training) exercise. RNCFSU 4 deployed to _______________. NR CBHU -22 deployed to MCB Camp Pendleton____?.

Numerous construction details were assigned to projects over 200 personnel from RNMCB 26 assigned to bases in Hawaii.

In July 1990 RNMCB 20 deployed to CBC Gulfport for a mobilization exercise for all hands. In April 1990 RNMCB 26 deployed to CBC Port Hueneme and conducted a Sea Dragon (embarkation preparation and shipboard loading) exercise. RNCFSU 4 deployed to assist RNMCB 20 at CBC Gulfport. NR CBHU -22 deployed to MCB Camp Pendleton_____?. Numerous construction details were assigned with personnel from RNMCB 26 assigned to stateside bases as well as some details to Hawaii.

In 1990 the Regiment staff deployed to ________________

On 14 July 1990 CAPT David L. Burrus relieved CAPT Shepard as Commander. In 1991 the Regiment staff deployed to ___________________

During the year of FY91 the regiment’s focus was on Desert Shield and Desert Storm. Military training was emphasized.

In _______ 1991 RNMCB 20 deployed to _________________
and RNMCB 26 deployed to __________________. RNCFSU 4 deployed to ___________________. NR CBHU -22 deployed to MCB Camp Pendleton____________.

In __________________ 1990 a Detachment of 59 men from RNCFSU 4 was activated from the Granite City - St. Louis area for Desert Storm. The detachment was processed to active duty through CBC Port Hueneme and returned in early June 1991 via CBC Gulfport. Several individuals in the 6th NCR’s units were cross assigned out to those RNCF units activated for Desert Storm (primarily RNMCB 24, Redstone Arsenal, AL, but also RNMCB 23, Fort Belvoir, VA) and were recalled to active duty in the first quarter of FY91. Deactivation occurred for those individuals by July 1991.

In total the RNCF activated 2,575 reserve members in 14 different units, detachments or augment groups. The 6th NCR contributed about __75 ?__.

In 1991 the Regiment was renamed “Sixth Naval Construction Regiment” as a result of the lessons learned during mobilization of reserve units for Desert Storm. Subordinate units were similarly renamed dropping the word “Reserve” from their title.

In __________1992 NMCB 20 deployed to _________________
and NMCB 26 deployed to in 1992. NCFSU 4 deployed to ________________. CBHU-22 and CBHU-18 deployed to MCB Camp Pendleton__________?.

In 1992 the Regiment staff deployed to _____________________

On __ September 1992 the Sixth Naval Construction Regiment was decommissioned at NAS Glenview, IL.

This event was part of a broader action where two reserve battalions (NMCB 2, San Francisco and NMCB 12, Davisville, RI) were decommissioned along with the 6th NCR and the 5th NCR, San Francisco plus NCFSU 1, McKeesport, PA. This left 15 reserve battalions and 3 NCFSUs.

As a result of the decommissioning of the 6th NCR its battalions - NMCB 26 and NMCB 20 were attached to the 8th Naval Construction Regiment, Philadelphia, PA, with CAPT Frank E. Falcone as Commander. NCFSU 4 and CBHU-22 were attached to the 2nd NCR, NAS Glenview. CBHU-18 was disestablished. NMCB 23, Ft. Belvoir, VA, was also assigned to the 8th NCR.

On 1 October 1992 the reserve Seabees were reorganized under the 2nd Naval Construction Brigade (NCB), Norfolk, VA, and the 3rd Naval Construction Brigade, Pearl Harbor, HI. The 2nd NCB Commander was RADM William A. HEINE, III, CEC, USNR, and the 3rd NCB Commander was RADM G. B. ESTES, CEC, USN.

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