HISTORY OF

NAVAL MOBILE CONSTRUCTION BATTALION

FIFTEEN

The 15th Naval Construction Battalion was commissioned on 20 July 1942 at Camp Allen, Virginia. On 7 September the Battalion deployed to the Pacific Theater arriving at Espiritu Santo in the New Hebrides Islands on 13 October 1942. After serving in the Green and Russell Islands the Battalion was assigned to Okinawa in 1945 where it contributed to the final struggle in the Pacific. On 29 October 1945 the Battalion was deactivated on Okinawa.

In June 1960, the Chief of Naval Operations authorized the establishment of 18 reserve Naval Construction Battalions, each with an allowance for a staff of eight reserve officers and 26 enlisted, and up to 13 assigned Seabee divisions. A Seabee division was defined as a Seabee unit at a reserve center. The Seabee Divisions each had a Commanding Officer. There were over 200 Seabee Sub-units in the country organized into the 18 Battalions.

In July 1962, battalion unit annual duty for training was initiated on a cycle basis covering distinct phases: battalion organization, basic military qualification, operational and advanced military training, amphibious exercises and construction.

In July 1962 CDR R. H. KOUNS, CEC, USNR became the first Commanding Officer of Reserve Mobile Construction Battalion 15. The designation of Naval Construction Battalion had changed during the Korean conflict when the units were designated Mobile Construction Battalions.

Reserve Mobile Construction Battalion 15 consisted of: 9-12 Denver, Co., 9-17 Kansas City, Mo., 9-18 Springfield, Mo., 9-28 Pueblo, Co., 9-30 Colorado Springs, Co., 9-51 Topeka, Ks., 9-52 Hutchinson, Ks., 9-57 St. Joseph, Mo., 9-7 Des Moines, Ia., 9-60 Waterloo, Ia., and 9-31 Cape Girardeau, Mo.All were within the Ninth Naval District and carried the number nine in their titles. The first headquarters was at ________.

There was no training duty in 1962 primarily due to the events associated with the Cuban Missile Crisis (October 1962).

In 1963, Reserve Mobile Construction Battalion 15 was mustered for the first time as a member of the Seabee Ready Reserve. The newly formed Battalion mustered at Construction Battalion Center Davisville, Rhode Island, for organizational training. While at Davisville, the new battalion organized itself on the parade field, on the obstacle course and still had time to check out some practical factors. It could be said this new battalion came into being with a storm - for the arrival of “Hurricane Hilda” consumed the first few days of this annual training duty.

In 1964 the Battalion deployed for annual training duty to Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California. This was the military training requirements of Seabee training cycle.

In 1965 the Battalion deployed to Construction Battalion Center Port Hueneme, California, for operational training.

In April 1966 the Battalion deployed to Peaceful Valley, Colorado, for the next phase of construction and operations training under simulated advance base conditions. At the Peaceful Valley Boy Scout Camp the conditions were found to be ideal for that kind of “CAN DO” training. This training duty included building roads, structures, sewers, and water systems for the camp and would be long remembered for the outstanding job done by the Battalion for the Boy Scouts. On 1 July 1966 CDR H. G. ELLINGSON, CEC, USNR relieved CDR Kouns as Commanding Officer.

In March 1967 the Battalion deployed to Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek, Virginia. Amphibious training including on and off-loading ships and landing on enemy beaches. Rifle range training was taught for the military training objectives.

On 16 August 1967 the Reserve Naval Construction Regiment program was established and the Battalion was organized under the SECOND Reserve Naval Construction Regiment located at the Recruiting Command, Chicago, Illinois. The Regiment was later located at Naval Base Great Lakes, IL, and subsequently relocated to Glenview Naval Air Station, IL.

The first operational Readiness Duty for the SECOND Reserve Naval Construction Regiment including attached battalions RMCB 15, RMCB 25 and RMCB 26. In January 1968 the Battalion deployed to Construction Battalion Center Gulfport, Mississippi and RMCB 15, 25 and 26 were on board at the time under the command of the SECOND NCR. The Commodore of the SECOND NCR was CAPT M. C. Wakefield, CEC, USNR. The new arrangement was different as was the name for annual training duty. It was now called Readiness Duty (REDDU). The emphasis was on crew and operations training. The 15th’s Senior Enlisted Advisor (SEA) was EQCM D. Thompson, USNR.

In June 1968 the existing Construction Battalion Divisions were renamed Mobile Construction Battalion Sub-units. The Naval Construction Regiments were also designated shore commands and the Mobile Construction Battalions as combat components of the Naval Reserve. The Chief of Naval Operations authorized two more regimental staffs and each staff was assigned three RMCBs for a total of 16 battalions and six regiments. In October 1968 CDR J. E. MANTEL, CEC, USNR relieved CDR Ellingson as Commanding Officer.

In January 1969 the Battalion again deployed to CBC Gulfport. REDDU again emphasized crew and operations training.

In September 1969 the Chief of Naval Operations established the FIRST Reserve Naval Construction Brigade at the Naval and Marine Corps Reserve Center, Washington, D.C. RADM George Reider, CEC, USNR, was the first Commander. The Battalion continued to report to the SECOND RNCR which came under the command of Commander, FIRST Reserve Naval Construction Brigade along with eight other reserve regiments.

Battalion FIFTEEN was reorganized with the transfer out of Divisions 9-7, 9-31, and 9-60 and the addition of Divisions 9-21 Lincoln, Ne., 9-22 Omaha, Ne., 9-25 Sioux City, Ia., and 9-26 Sioux Falls, S. D.

Until 1970 RMCBs performed as a unit only during their annual two weeks of active duty for training. During the rest of the year the Sub-units at reserve centers drilled as independent detachments with little or no command and control from the battalion headquarters.

In January 1970 the Battalion deployed to CBC Gulfport. The deployment’s objective was build a 1000 Man Base Camp and to train in operational construction requirements. The Battalion moved into Camp Hill in the DeSoto National Forest 20 miles from Gulfport and proceeded with the construction of the advance base camp nicknamed Camp Swampy.

In January 1971 the Battalion deployed to CBC Gulfport. The unit returned to Camp Hill now known as Camp Swampy. The training objective was construction, operations and combat readiness training. One week was spent on the rifle range and one the other was in defensive tactics. In 1971 CDR D. O. SMART IV, CEC, USNR relieved CDR Mantel as Commanding Officer.

In July 1971 the manning allowance for a battalion mirrored that of active duty Seabee battalions with 24 officers and 738 enlisted; RNCF year-end strength in 1971 was 10,694 officers and enlisted.Command title changes were 2nd NCR to 2nd RNCR and 1st RNCB to 1st RNCB/RNCF.

In 1972, during the period 22 January through 5 February, RNMCB 15 deployed on active duty for training to CBC Gulfport with the primary emphasis on technical skills training.SEA was CUCM R. L. Doze, USNR.

In January 1973 the Battalion deployed to Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, as part of the SECOND Naval Construction Regiment. An advance party arrived on 21 January. Training for both battalions(RMCB 15 & 25) was under the direction and support of the 31st Naval Construction Regiment, CBC Port Hueneme. Deployment was at Camp Talega and the emphasis was on military skills training. The activities included convoying equipment from CBC Port Hueneme to Camp Talega. In addition 800 complete sets of new 782 gear were permanently issued to battalion personnel. A total of 886 officers and men participated in live weapons firing the first week and a field exercise the second week. Rear Admiral George Reider, Commander, FIRST RNCF, was on board on 8-9 February. REDDU 73 ended on 10 February with a delay party remaining to turn over vehicles and supplies to CBC Port Hueneme. This pattern of a Regimental deployment with an advance party from one battalion and a delay party from another would serve as a model for years to come. Two Details from RMCB 15 were sent to Georgetown, Colorado, to help rebuild an Historic Narrow Gauge Railroad.

In July 1973 each reserve battalion was renamed Reserve Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (RNMCB) vice RMCB to conform to the titles of active duty NMCBs. Construction began on 12 of the RNMCB Permanent Drill Sites in June 1973 and all 18 were usably complete as training sites by 1974. RNMCB 15 was at Richards-Gebaur Air Force Base, Kansas City, Missouri and RNMCB 25 was at Naval Base Great Lakes, Illinois. In June 1973 CDR D. M. JARDINE, CEC, USNR relieved CDR Smart as Commanding Officer.

In January 1974 the Battalion main body deployed to CBC Gulfport for its annual REDDU for crew and on the job training. In addition a Detail was sent to the Panama Canal Zone for operational type construction projects. The first Battalion-wide Seabee Ball was held in St. Joseph, Mo. The Seabee Ball Queen was Nancy Madden.

In April 1975 the Battalion deployed to CBC Gulfport for Readiness Duty.The objective was crew and operational training. The duties of Senior Enlisted Advisor were assigned to a newly established position RNCF wide of Master Chief Petty Officer of the Command (MCPOC). UTCM H. Marston held the position. The emphasis was on crew training, operational type projects and classroom instruction. Disaster recovery training was also covered. A 30 man Detail was dispatched to Hawaii for overseas operational training at a Marine Corps base. The Permanent Drill Site (PDS) was started at Richards-Gebaur AFB, Mo. Details were sent to Gretna, Ne. to help in construction of a 4H Camp, Hawaii, and Georgetown, Co. The PDS was dedicated. On 1 July 1975 CDR D. L. ROEDL, CEC, USNR relieved CDR Jardine as Commanding Officer.

At the end of 1975 all 17 reserve battalion Permanent Drill Sites were in place with Readiness Support Allowances valued at $750,000 on board. Assigned among the 17 PDSs were 112 active duty enlisted Seabees who were responsible for security and maintenance of the RSA’s equipment, supplies, and vehicles plus the PDS facilities.

In January 1976 the main body of the Battalion deployed to CBC Gulfport for operational, crew training, and practical factor checkout in addition to concentrating on eliminating Personnel Readiness Capabilities Program weaknesses. An additional Detail reported to Georgetown, Co. for construction project work. On 1 July 1976 the RNCF Regional Program offices were established with the Central Region office located at the Naval Base Great Lakes.

In March 1977 the Battalion deployed to CBC Gulfport and Camp Shelby, Mississippi. Battalion personnel received technical and military training. Details were sent to Hawaii and Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico. In September CDR T. A. SMITH, CEC, USNR relieved CDR Roedl as Commanding Officer.

In February 1978 the Battalion again deployed to CBC Gulfport. All hands reported for crew and general operational training. A Detail was sent to Roosevelt Roads, P. R. In May 1978 CNO directed the RNCF to establish air detachments in each Reserve battalion similar to those in active duty battalions to shorten their response time in arriving at a theater of operations. A visit to the PDS was made by CNO ADM T. B. Hayward and CNAVRES RADM F. F. Palmer. An era came to an end when the “Father of the Seabees,” retired Admiral Ben Moreell, CEC, USN, passed away on July 30, 1978.

In _____ 1979 the main body of the Battalion, reported to Camp Clark, Mo. for tactical construction operations as the first Reserve Battalion to prove its mobilization-ready status without assistance from an established active base. Twenty one projects occupied the battalion. The MCPOC was changed to Command Master Chief and CUCM G. M. Swift assumed the duties. Details from the Battalion deployed to separate sites (one to Rota, Spain, one to Gulfport, Ms., and one to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba).The battalion added Detachment 1415 Joplin, Mo. and 1515 Des Moines, Ia. There was a visit to the PDS by CNAVRES RADM Lyons, USN. On 23 September 1979 CDR R. L. FERRITER, CEC, USNR relieved CDR Smith as Commanding Officer.

In April 1980 the Battalion deployed to Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia, for military training. Annual training duty was now called Active Duty for Training (ACDUTRA). In April the SECOND Reserve Naval Construction Regiment began a new practice of deploying assigned RNMCBs to different sites for independent ACDUTRA from the Regiment staff. The main body of RNMCB 25 was delayed from departing MCB Quantico due to the return of elements from the Iran hostage rescue mission (Desert One) to MCB Quantico. Details were sent to Fort Drum, NY, CBC Gulfport, MS, Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico and CBC Port Hueneme, CA.RNMCB 15 added Detachment 1615 Wichita, KS.

In February 1981 the Battalion deployed to CBC Port Hueneme for technical and operational training. Details were sent to NAB Willow Grove, PA, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, Pueblo Army Depot, CO, and Camp Guernsey, WY. BUCN J. J. Cummings, USNR, was killed in an accident while on ACDUTRA in Cuba. A SEABEE Memorial Scholarship was funded and named for him from RNMCB 15. RNCFSU-2 was established from detachments within the battalion’s area including some personnel from Denver, CO all from Colorado Springs, CO, Pueblo, CO, and Cheyenne, WY. On 23 September 1981 CDR W. H. HINTON, CEC, USNR relieved CDR Ferriter as Commanding Officer.

In April 1982 the Battalion deployed to Army Base Camp Blanding, Florida, for military training. As had been the case since the mid-1970s the battalion deployed along with RNMCB 25 under the operational control of the SECOND Reserve Naval Construction Regiment.

In February 1983 the Battalion deployed to CBC Gulfport for crew and tactical construction training. Details of RNMCB 15 deployed to Midway Island, Hawaii; Adak, Alaska; Rota, Spain; and MCB 29 Palms, CA. On 23 September 1983 CDR C. A. KIETHLEY, CEC, USNR relieved CDR Hinton as Commanding Officer.

In April 1984 the Battalion deployed to Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton for operational, tactical and military training conducted at Camp Vado Del Rio. Details were sent to Detroit, MI, CBC Port Hueneme, CA, Coronado, CA and the Panama Canal Zone. RNMCB 15’s Supply Department was rated Most Improved in the RNCF.

In April 1985 the SECOND RNCR and RNMCB 15 deployed to MCAGCC Twenty Nine Palms, California. RNMCB 25, a 100 man detail of RNMCB 15, NCFSU 2 and Construction Battalion Hospital Unit -11C underwent military training and completed 400 man-days of projects. RADM Thomas Maddock, Commander, FIRST Naval Construction Brigade, visited the ACDUTRA site. Details were sent to Coronado, CA, and Roosevelt Roads, P. R. On 29 September 1985 CDR J. P. WATSON, CEC, USNR relieved CDR Kiethley as Commanding Officer.

In FY86 the Battalion was focused on a Greenstinger Air Detachment fly away exercise and deployed the Battalion’s Air Det from ______ to Fort Leonardwood, MO during the two week exercise. Details were sent to CBC Gulfport, MS for schools.

In March 1987 the Battalion deployed to U. S. Army’s Fort Benning, Georgia for construction operations and military training. A change in tasking to the SECOND Regiment resulted in assigning Details for construction project work at additional out-of-continental United States sites. A detail was sent to Rota, Spain. The Seabee Roadeo was held at CBC Gulfport, MS, and the winner was EOCN D. Graham, Det 0215. In July 1987 the Regiment and its units began receiving Zenith 248 computers and SAMMS software for improved management and control. On 26 September 1987 CDR T. D. BREDAHL, CEC, USNR relieved CDR Watson as Commanding Officer.

In March 1988 the Battalion’s main body deployed to Camp Ripley, Minnesota for cold weather training. A detail was sent to CBC Gulfport, MS. A plaque was engraved to RNMCB 15 for work accomplished at the Georgetown Railroad.

In April 1989 the Battalion deployed in a number of elements. The largest element deployed to CBC Gulfport for schools and Contingency Crew Construction Training (CCCT) including Bailey Bridge assembly and Rapid Runway Repair. A Detail was sent to Subic Bay in the Philippines. The Battalion was selected as BEST OF TYPE and received the RADM J. D. Perry Award for FY88. The PDS was renamed Readiness Support Site. On 30 September 1989 CDR R. E. BLUME, CEC, USNR relieved CDR Bredahl as Commanding Officer.

In February 1990 the Battalion participated in an RNCF-wide operational construction project at Boy Scout Camp, Camp Mataguay, CA north of San Diego. Details were sent to Hawaii, Rota, Spain, and Guam.

The Fiscal Year 1991 activities of the Regiment and its units were dominated by the events of Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm beginning in August 1990. Plans for the fiscal year were changed significantly. Military training was emphasized. Several individuals from upper Midwest detachments were cross assigned out to those RNCF units activated for Desert Storm and were recalled to active duty in the first quarter. RNMCB 15 was scheduled for activation in early 1991.

From 24 February - 10 March 1991 RNMCB 15 deployed to CBC Port Hueneme, CA, for “Pre-Mobilization Enhancement Training” as Annual Training. If ordered the Battalion would have been activated for Desert Storm in March. Hostilities ended in late February and the Battalion returned home.

Details were deployed to: RSS, Colorado Springs, CO; MCB Twenty Nine Palms, CA; Reserve Center, Spokane, WA; Ft. McClellan, AL (DRT/CBR); NB Guam and RSS Construction Projects, Belton, MO. RNMCB 15 was selected as “Best of the West” and the Supply Department was selected to receive the “Blue E” for Best Supply Department. On 1 August 1991 CDR M. R. FOSDICK , CEC, USNR relieved CDR Blume as Commanding Officer.

On 26 July 1991 the Battalion was renamed “Naval Mobile Construction Battalion FIFTEEN” as a result of the lessons learned during mobilization of reserve units for Desert Storm. Other commissioned units in the RNCF were similarly renamed dropping the word “Reserve” from their titles.

In April 1992 the Battalion deployed to Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina for TACON 92. The Battalion sent five 30 man Details to MCB 29 Palms, CA, for project work.

In September 1992 the SIXTH Naval Construction Regiment was decommissioned at NAS Glenview, IL. As a result of the decommissioning of the 6th NCR, two of its units NCFSU 4, Granite City, IL, and CBHU-22 were attached to the SECOND Naval Construction Regiment. That event was part of a broader action where two reserve battalions (NMCB 2, San Francisco and NMCB 12, Davisville, RI) were decommissioned. In addition to the 6th NCR the 5th NCR, San Francisco, CA and NCFSU 1, McKeesport, PA, were decommissioned. This left 15 reserve battalions, six regiments and 3 NCFSUs.

On 1 October 1992 the reserve Seabees were reorganized under active duty commands for operational command and control. The reserve Seabee units were organized under either 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. As a result the Battalion continued to report to the SECOND NCR which reported to 3rd Naval Construction Brigade. The RNCF Support Command was established at CBC Gulfport, MS.

In 1993 changes in reporting relationships resulted in changed priorities for Annual Training. The concept of “Tiered Readiness” (units trained on a rotation basis to Tier I - Mobilization Ready units or Tier II - Contributory Support units) resulted in Contributory Support tasking for the units of the SECOND NCR. As a result the Regiment shifted the tasking of its units to construction execution and crew support.

In 1993 the Battalion deployed in task oriented groups rather than a single main body and provided over 6300 mandays of direct fleet support to CINCPACFLT sites. The battalion sent over 45 separate construction details to San Diego, Coronado, El Centro and Lemoore, CA, representing $1,900,000 worth of work-in-place at those site with a combined savings to CINPACFLT of $900,000 in labor and material costs. In June 1993 the Base Realignment and Closure Commission announced that NAS Glenview was to close (BRAC 93). On 1 October 1993 CDR C. A. KLIMMEK, CEC, USNR relieved CDR Fosdick as Commanding Officer.

In 1994 the Battalion again deployed in task oriented groups. The emphasis was again on a maximum effort toward contributory support construction projects. Contributory support by NMCB 15 consisted of more than 5500 man-days of Annual Training and over 1100 man-days of ADT and Flexible Drills and IDT. Construction was performed at five separate sites in California with the major projects being the F/A-18 Display for NAS Lemoore and the EODMU3 Compound at NAB Coronado.

In 1994 orders were received by the SECOND NCR to prepare for its decommissioning in September. NCFSU 4, Granite City, Illinois was to be scheduled for decommissioned also. RNMCB 15 and RNMCB 25 were to be transferred to the NINTH Naval Construction Regiment, Naval Air Station, Dallas, Texas. NCFSU 2 was to be detached, its headquarters moved from Colorado Springs, Colorado, to Naval Reserve Center, Port Hueneme, and to be attached to the FIRST Naval Construction Regiment, Armed Forces Reserve Center, Los Alamitos, California.

This action was part of the general reserve construction force unit action whereby other units were to be decommissioned at the end of the fiscal year: NMCB 13, Peekskill, NY; NMCB 16, Los Alamitos, CA; and NMCB 20, Columbus, OH, along with the 8th NCR, Columbus, OH (recently of Philadelphia, PA).

This action left 12 reserve NMCBs and two NCFSUs in addition to eight NMCB Augment units and two CBMUs (both unit types stood up as a consequence of Desert Shield/Desert Storm). The commands and units remaining were the two active duty brigades (NCBs) each with two reserve Naval Construction Regiments, six reserve NMCBs, one reserve NCFSU, four reserve NMCB Augment units and one reserve CBMU. NR CBHUs continued to be attached to the remaining reserve regiments. The strength of each brigade was about 6,000 reserve Seabee officers and men in units. The total strength of the RNCF was approximately 14,000 in September 1994 (about 16 percent of the Naval Reserve).


In 1994 three detachments were decommissioned as a result of Reserve Center closures at St. Joseph, MO, Joplin, MO, and Hutchinson, KS. A new detachment was established at Wichita, KS (1215). Naval Mobile Construction Battalion FIFTEEN consisted of eleven detachments in a six state area: 0215 - Kansas City, MO; 0315 - Cedar Rapids, IA; 0415 - Lincoln, NE; 0515 - Omaha, NE; 0615 - Sioux City, IA; 0715 - Sioux Falls, SD; 0815 Bridgeton, MO; 0915 Broken Arrow, OK; 1115 - Topeka, KS; 1215 - Wichita, KS; and 1515 - Des Moines, IA.

The authorized allowance of NMCB FIFTEEN was 24 officers (15 CEC, 9 other) and 744 enlisted personnel (619 OF-13 rates and 125 other rates).

At 0830 hours on 17 September 1994 the SECOND Naval Construction Regiment Decommissioning Ceremony was held in Hanger 1 at NAS Glenview.

On 17 September 1994 Naval Mobile Construction Battalion FIFTEEN reported for duty to the NINTH Naval Construction Regiment, Naval Air Station, Dallas, Texas. On that day CAPT R. F. Cowan, CEC, USNR relieved CAPT Joseph A. McKenzie, III, CEC, USNR, as Commander of the NINTH NCR.