NMCB 133 Crosses Joint Service Gap with Bridge Building Class

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Steven Myers, Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 133 Public Affairs

GULFPORT, Miss. (NNS) -- Seabees from Naval Construction Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 133, and Marines from the 8th Engineering Support Battalion (ESB) gathered aboard Naval Construction Battalion Center Gulfport's Contingency Construction Crew Training (CCCT) facilities for a bridge building class April 2-13.

While Seabees and Marines have historically worked close with one another, NMCB 133's Bridge Detachment and the 8th ESB recently began their relationship while assembling bridges during Operation Bold Alligator 2012.

For the Marines, this class was an opportunity to not only work beside familiar faces, but an opportunity to learn additional skills building the Mabey Johnson bridge that will assist them.

"We gained a better understanding of this bridge, so we will be better able to help commanders when they ask us to check out a bridge we may not be as familiar with," said Staff Sgt. Paul Cascell, bridge building platoon sergeant.

Cascell said he would love to see more Marines training beside their Navy counterparts as this could enhance the understanding of all parties involved.

Steelworker 3rd Class Ryan Budreau of NMCB 133, whose only previous joint experience was during Bold Alligator, said he learned a lot during the class including the importance of teamwork.

"This [class] took a lot of working together to accomplish," he said. "It went really smooth and fast, and made for a good experience. I look forward to working with other services again."

NMCB 133 is preparing for their next deployment with training classes, such as this one, to gain technical knowledge and experience while honing their construction skills.