Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 133 Receives Battle "E" Award

By Chief Mass Communication Specialist Ryan C. Delcore, Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 133 Public Affairs

GULFPORT, Miss. (NNS) -- Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 133 received the Battle Efficiency (Battle "E") award, Feb. 4., for outstanding operational performance.

The 1st Naval Construction Division (1NCD) announced the winners of the 2010 Battle "E" Award, Dec. 21, in Virginia Beach, Va.

NMCB 133 was recognized as the Atlantic Fleet's 'best of type' active duty Naval Mobile Construction Battalion for 2010.

"Competition for the Battle 'E' this year was exceptionally close, highlighting the superb performance of naval construction forces in meeting the continually elevated demands of today's operational environment," said Rear Adm. Mark A. Handley, commander, 1NCD. "Both active and Reserve component units provided outstanding support of worldwide combatant commander requirements."

Preparations for NMCB 133's successful year began with numerous exercises that allowed the battalion to identify and evaluate areas the command needed improve upon.

A communications exercise (COMEX) was completed to sharpen the skills of the battalion's communications team. The COMEX helped the NMCB 133 communications team complete two communication electronic turnover procedures (CETOP) and inspections without any discrepancies. Also, the battalion had an overall outstanding assessment while on deployment. This training helped the radio operators to gain a better understanding of radios, antennas, and satellite equipment.

Many of the battalion's Seabees attended courses that gave them the skills required to complete their homeport projects and accomplish critical missions while on deployment in Afghanistan.

NMCB 133 saved three U.S. bases a total of $642,169 in labor costs by providing Seabees for construction projects.

The battalion deployed to U.S. Central Command's (CENTCOM) area of operation in Afghanistan, as part of the troop surge, where they displaced 13 Details that completed more than 400 construction projects valued at $100 million. Additionally, $53 million worth of civil engineering support equipment and 10,000 tons of materials were used to complete 1.6 million square meters of forward operating base (FOB) expansions.

The FOB expansions were done by pushing out the defensive berms, which eliminated threat areas by gaining ground previously used by insurgents to attack the FOBs with indirect fire.

NMCB 133 conducted mine proofing missions not commonly done by the Naval Construction Force (NCF). The battalion pioneered this task and set the standard by creating a standard operating procedure that used an up-armored dozer to clear landmines and unexploded ordinance (UXO).

For more news from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 133, visit www.navy.mil/local/nmcb133/.