CO’s NoteNAVAL MOBILE CONSTRUCTION BATTALION FIVENaval Base Ventura County

To the Professionals of Five!

It’s now time to gear up for deployment after a sucess-ful FTX. There were many folks outside of the command that doubted you could succeed.

With the FTX moving up 2.5 months, no comms gear or CESE to train on due to the surge of 4 and the fact that you had to combine 5 months of courses and classes into the month of January.

There were Zero accidents, Zero A, B and C mishaps and 100% TOA accountability. That rarely happens even when battalions have 12 months to prepare.

I was very impressed. We have got to have the most hard charging and motivated Seabees I have ever seen.

You guys are the living example of how a battalion can come together, face challenges and succeed. I have spoken to my counter parts with regiment and in other units and noone expected you to perform as well as you did this field exercise. That’s a testimony of your knowledge and successful small-unit leadership. I have said it over and over again and I want you to know that you have set the example for every unit in the Naval Construction Force. You need to be proud of all the hard work and effort you have put in.

Your attitude determines your success in life. Keep charg-ing and continue to lead the way!

Oorah Five!

CDR Scot Sanders

Commanding Officer, NMCB 5

Strength and Honor

Headquarters CompanyHQ

Beware of Senior!

The Supply MLO dept. headed up to Fort Hunter Liggett (FHL) on Friday February 5th 2010, four days before the majority of the battalion would step foot at LSA Mako. Leading the charge was LT. Chamlee, Senior Chief Suchil and Chief Jameson. Once arriving at FHL the dept made there way to the barracks for some much needed rest. Saturday would be an event filled day. Saturday morning started very early. The dept started pulling and transporting supplies (tents, tables, chairs and C-wire) from R41 to LSA Mako. Senior Suchil immediately put up a Supply perimeter with one standing order. “No one trespasses in my Supply area.” The days work continued on through bouts of rain and shine leaving trench marks where the 14K was transporting palettes of MRE’s, conex and tent boxes. The Supply dept was beginning to realize that Pre AP was no walk in the park, especially after spending 5 hours setting up the dining tent.

Senior Chief Lisa Suchil watches over the Supply MLO department during Operation Bearing Duel 2010 Feb. 21, 2010 at Fort Hunter Liggett, Calif.

Dinner time was beginning to roll around and dusk was starting to settle in. Senior Chief gives out the word to Chief Jameson to call it a night. With all the troops working about LSA Mako a very strange noise starts to come from around one of the conex boxes. Senior walks back to investigate knowing full well no one would dare trespass in her Sup-ply area. As she rounds the corner to her surprise there are two beady yellow eyes looking at her.

There by the MRE’s and Conex box is a huge 150lb. Wild Fort Hunter Liggett Boar. The biggest, meanest, hairiest, ug-liest thing you’ve ever seen! He lunges at Senior Suchil and she realizes her back is to a 20ft conex box. The boar charges from 15 ft at Senior Suchil. She dodges the boar to the right and stares him down. Now she’s trapped with MRE’s to her left,

“Caution Beware of Senior!”- Supply MLO Dept.

a conex box behind her, the 20 ft conex box to her right and the 150lb wild hog thinking it can live in her Supply area. The boar backs up another 10ft and comes again! With one quick swoop she grabs her side mounted K-bar and slits the throat of the boar letting it lie at her feet. By now they Supply dept had made its way back to the Supply area to muster and get back to the chow hall and bar-racks for the night. What you might not realize is that they were standing at the edge of the C-wire watching the attack in complete astonishment.

If you ask the Supply dept today they will deny any encounters with a wild boar. But we do know this, there is Boar Skull next to a Beware of Senior sign. You can make your own judgment where it came from.

Alfa CompanyADet Bravo COP JAWS

By Construction Mechanic 1st Class (SCW/EXW/SW) Simon Fresquez

Naval Mobile Con-struction Battalion FIVE, DET BRAVO were given orders to secure a supply route used to transport food, water and other needed supplies to local vil-lages in Wezhabad in RC Cen-tral province during Operation Bearing Duel 2010.

DET BRAVO entered into the area known as COP JAWS. During the initial en-trance troops were confronted by concerned villagers who were worried about DET BRAVO’s presence in the area. While CSE provided security, leadership spoke with the vil-

lage leader or “Malik”.

During the initial meeting the Malik expressed deep concern as to why we were setting security near his village. He was weary that we were going to hurt his villagers. DET BRAVO’s leadership (LT Gehling) re-assured the Malik that we were there to help the village and that our security’s focus was only to secure the supply route. Another meeting was arranged at 1000 the next morning to establish a working relationship with the village and possibly send some troops into the village to shop at their vendor stands.

During the night, DET BRAVO set up camp with 360 degree C Wire which included a staging area for any possible POW’s. Builders started construction on a “Crows Nest” that would be used to observe and defend our Entry Control Point (ECP) and support future operations in the area.

Villagers were anxious to meet at 1000 the next morning. Malik showed up on time as promised. Lt Gehling was prepared to trade him food for Intel on any possible insurgents who might be in his village. Once the meeting started the Malik spoke of two “non-villagers” who did not belong in their village who showed up late last night. After reviewing our Intel, LT Gehling gave the order to organize two fire teams to go into the village and extract the two insurgents. As the mission continued, scout teams and MRAP’s provided security for the fire teams as they were engaged in the search for two insurgents. After two tries the villagers were able to identify and point at the two insurgents who did not belong in their village. DET Bravo’s fire teams lead by UT2 Henseler extracted the two insurgents and segregated them in the detainment area.

Seabees attached to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 5 capture an insurgent during Operation Bearing Duel 2010 at Det Bravo COP JAWS

Deep thick in the oak trees of Fort Hunter Liggett, Seabees from the 31st SRG come creep-ing down the mountain side towards Alfa company lines. Waiting for them is the ever so alert and motivated, Alfa Com-pany’s PBJ, CSW, CBS teams.

The 31st SRG doesn’t yet realize that the whole side of the mountain is filled with booby traps, motion detectors and trip flairs when all of a sudden…BANG! This scenar-io has occured a few times on Alfa company lines but not one aggressor ever broke thought. Alfa company was so suc-cessful because of the manner in which our fighting positions were dug. Carved 4 feet down into the side of the mountain, the fighting positions had very good camouflage and were very hard to spot from the en-emy side of the wire. Equipped with grenade sumps, and even shelves for gear, ammo and equipment, Alfa pits were top of the line. Added waterproofing and insu-lation made the pits more com-fortable to man, keeping the defense troops alert and ready. When the enemy came down the hill it was no match. Machine guns opened fire; illu-mination rounds lit up the sky, and Alfa Company held the line. OORAH!

Construction Mechanic 1st Class (SCW) Carl Cates mans a fighting position Feb. 21, 2010 during Operation Bearing Duel 2010. Cates is an Alfa Company Seabee attached to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 5.

Construction Mechanic 3rd Class (SCW) Vince Moore (Left), Construction Me-chanic 3rd Class (SCW) Raymond Crespin (Center) and Construction Mechanic 3rd Class (SCW) Tydess Revilla (Right)man a fighting position Feb. 21, 2010 during Operation Bearing Duel 2010. All are Alfa Company Seabees attached to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 5. Bearing Duel is a Field Training Exer-cise (FTX) that tests the battalion’s capability to deploy and conduct operations in a contingency environment.

Alfa Dogs!

Bravo CompanyB

REACT, Can Do!

React was arguably the most important task within the battalion grounds:Internal security of the camp, forward security of the ECP (maintaining the front gate) and dealing with un-authorized personnel / civilians attempting access.

Responsibilities of react involved; internal sweeps of entire camp when required or ordered by the react commander, regular internal roving to maintain internal security (good order and discipline), securing of the Helicopter Landing Zone, another important task was to escort members of the COC during security drills

React was divided into three teams. One hot, one standby and one (theoretically) down or resting team. ‘Gunsmoke’ drills and civilians at the gate kept the teams active and suitably deprived of a natural sleeping pattern. Spirits were kept high as camaraderie developed within the teams.

With the typical Seabee ‘Can Do’ attitude prevailing, the squads had the opportunity to work together in a different and more stressful environment, which has developed our understanding of teamwork, looking out for shipmates and what is required to bring everyone home.

Construction Electrician 3rd Class Aaron Bluitt participates in REACT Team Training Feb. 13, 2010 during Opera-tion Bearing Duel 2010. Bluitt is a Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 5 Bravo Company Seabee. The REACT Team provides an interior security force on base. Bearing Duel is a Field Training Exercise (FTX) that tests the battalion’s capability to deploy and conduct operations in a contingency environment.

REACT, Can Do!

Bravo Company Seabees attached to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 5 walk back to camp after an Entry Control Point (ECP) drill Feb. 17, 2010 during Operation Bearing Duel 2010. The REACT Team provides an interior security force on base.

During NMCB 5’s field exercise to Fort Hunter Liggett Bravo Co. Camp Maintenance Org performed tasking with outstanding results. At LSA Mako we installed a power distribution setup for a 650 man camp, also contributed to the shower facility and grease trap, set up and maintained galley facilities, constructed 10 MGPTS tents, and filled sand bags.

We improved the quality of life for the battalion by installing 11 propane heaters for troops to keep warm. Constantly disposing of camp waste and insuring the hand wash sanitation stations were filled and fully functional.

As we moved to the FOB camp maintenance took charge of tearing down camp and making sure every-thing got packed and moved to the FOB. At the FOB we had to set up power, reconnect the propane heaters, construct tents, place C-wire and cammo netting, fill sand bags and maintain the sanitation of the camp.

Camp Maintenance

Charlie CompanyC

Builder 3rd Class (SCW) Ethan Knapp(Left), helps Lt. (SCW) Marcia Fernandes (Right), in the construction of a Southwest Asia (SWA) Hut Feb. 12, 2010 during Operation Bearing Duel 2010. Both are Charlie Company Seabees attached to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 5.

From the very beginning of February’s Field Training Exercise, the Seabees of Charlie Company noticed that this exercise was not quite like what they were used to.

In the past a Seabee was expected to immediately don his Kevlar, Modular Tactical Vest, and carry his chemical protective equipment the moment he exited the bus. He would spend the entire day digging a fighting position or setting up tents for the Command Post and Command Operations Center before finally being allowed to set up his own tent long after the sun had set. On this exercise some Seabees were given time to set up their personal gear before even beginning training. As a result, morale was very high.

The first base was treated as a secure environment and the battalion only needed to have their com-bat load accessible. Most members of Charlie Company spent the days doing unit driven training on the scenarios they could expect to encounter throughout the duration of the exercise. After a few days of training the projects started.

New food, New Training

By Builder 2nd Class (SCW) John Kulka

Initially there were no light or noise dis-cipline requirements allowing construction to take place from 0700 to 2200. The projects personnel spent these days prefabricating as much work as possible so that the construction on site could be completed quickly and easily. The project personnel built two SWA huts, two crows nests, and a four-hole burnout.

Upon arrival at the Forward Operating Base, Charlie Seabees on the lines were sepa-rated into six fighting positions divided into two squads. Utah and Arizona lines were originally along such good positions that they were moved to another location in order to facilitate aggres-sion from the 31st SRG.

Line personnel braved cold nights and rain in order to protect the base from attack. The Utah 240 position was chosen as the best fight-

Builder Constructionman John Montecalvo mans a fighting position Feb. 18, 2010 during Operation Bearing Duel 2010. Montecalvo is attached to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 5’s Charlie Company.

ing position of the Company by the Command-ing Officer, Commander Sanders.

Personnel assigned to patrols often went out regularly in order to provide intelligence, security, and to escort personnel to forward ob-servation posts. Patrols traveled light in order to move quickly and quietly. They were well pre-pared for their tasking due to the large amount of practice given during Unit Driven Training while in the rear.

Of all of the changes to this year’s Field Train-ing Exercise, the best change in this Seabee’s opinion was the addition of the maple sausage breakfast meal.

This was my first experience of FTX, FEX, or field training exercise. Not having any previous experience. I had only the stories of more seasoned peers to derive information from as to what I would encounter. Those experiences, some good, some bad, provided a basis for me to prepare myself for 3 weeks of field living. With the numerous formal courses of instruction, Unit Driven Training and drills conducted throughout our home-port period, I was confident I was ready. My Advanced Party (AP) departure led me to believe I was going to be providing as-sistance in the set-up of camp for the battal-ion, and companies. After a quick brief of tasking, we were operating. Setting up tents for Command posts and a shower tent.

With darkness looming, we had to work quickly and efficiently. We accomplished this particular tasking with an hour of daylight left, which enabled us to set-up our person-al berthing tents, one-man shelters, and get settled in for the evening. Not having ever camped before, living in the outdoors was an entirely new experience to me. After a cold

My First FTX!

By Steelworker Constructionman Tykeus Pettway

Steelworker Constructionman Tykeus Pettway walks through LSA Mako during Operation bearing Duel 2010. Pettway is a Charlie Company Sea-bee attached to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 5.

Steelworker Constructionman Tykeus Pettway learns patrol techniques with Charlie Company during Operation bearing Duel 2010.

and interrupted night of sleep, I learned quickly to ask questions on how to stay warm, prepared, and live in this tactical environment. After a few ad-justments to my current situation I was able to stay warm, dry, and sleep a little more comfortably.

I had just settled in, and it was time to move to our new Forward Operating Base (FOB). I was scheduled with the first wave of movement to as-sist in securing the site for future movements to arrive into a S.A.F.E. Environment. After several more waves of personnel arrived, and our area of operations was secure, we began digging in fight-ing positions and pulling “C” wire for added pro-tection. We endured many varied scenarios, fire fights, and bone chilling cold nights. We were able to put into action all of the training we had been given over the many months of homeport.

With a good MRE, a piece of candy or two, and top-notch leadership at the helm, we made it through this FTX/FEX and gained a wealth of experience and knowledge. I am now one of the peers that can provide leadership, advice and in-sight to our new coming SEABEES. HOORAH Charlie Company…WE BUILD, WE FIGHT!!!

Air Detachment

NMCB FIVE Air Det had a very successful OPERATION BEARING DUEL 2010. Air Det excelled in all aspects, from patrolling and defense, to CBR and C2 operations. Air Det received the first perfect score of 10 ever on a Command Post Bunker project. Air Det also completed a SWAHUT and a Crow’s nest. Led by ET3 Martini and CM3 Estelle, Air Det maintained a flawless communications network, having all LOS and data networks online throughout the entire exercise.

Whether at LSA MAKO, FOB BLUE, or COP REEF; Morale, spirit, and motiva-tion remained high throughout the entire exercise. Air Det has proven they are ready and willing to face the challenge of another arduous CENTCOM deployment.

Builder Constructionman Brittany Littlejohn (Left), helps Steelworker 3rd Class Amber Daniels (Right), in the construction of a Crow’s Nest Feb. 12, 2010 during Operation Bearing Duel 2010. Both are Air Det Company Seabees attached to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 5.

Convoy Security ElementCSE

The role of NMCB FIVE’s Convoy Security Element (CSE) is to provide safety and security for all personnel travelling from one destination to another. The 2010 FTX brought many opportunities for the three CSE teams (Ohio, New York, and Delaware) to not only show they have what it takes to complete the mission but also to display what value commitment and leadership hold in a haz-ardous environment.

D-day arrived and all of CSE was ready for the tasks ahead. Team Ohio took the first group of main body personnel and set up SAFE (Security, Automat-ic weapons, fields of fire and avenues of approach, and entrenchment) at FOB Mega Mouth. Team New York escorted Air Det to FOB Blue and also set up SAFE. Team Delaware made multiple convoys from LSA Mako to FOB Mega Mouth with the rest of the main body personnel over the course of two and a half days. Throughout all our missions, CSE found a reoccurring problem with the terrain in dealing with drivable areas and Improvised Explosive Devices (IED’s). Despite much scrutiny and hardship, stuck vehicles, attacks at check point five, wet and cold weather conditions, and a general lack of sleep and downtime, the members of CSE learned an important lesson: the sun will rise the next day even if you can’t see it through the clouds in the sky. Teaching one another new skills, sticking together and keeping a level head taught many of us the value of com-munication and team work.

Security and Safety

Steelworker Constructionman Blake Edwards conducts a routine foot patrol with his squad Feb. 18, 2010 during Operation Bearing Duel 2010. Edwards is attached to Naval Mobile Construc-tion Battalion (NMCB) 5’s Convoy Security Element (CSE) Company.

When NMCB FIVE’s CSE (Convoy Security Element) team OHIO rolled the first group of main body personnel into FOB Mega Mouth we knew that we would be holding static security while team Delaware escorted the rest of main body. It was both a fortuitous and challenging situation for Bravo Company and CSE alike. Traditionally, Bravo Company is solely in charge of REACT and the Entry Control Point (ECP) while on FTX. This FTX brought new challenges and CSE was there to answer the call.

In order to assist Bravo Company succeed with their camp security and ECP missions, CSE utilized their ability to move troops and crew served weapons to where they were needed at a moments notice. Acting as the Quick Reaction Force (QRF), CSE ensured the safe exit of convoys and the retrieval of LPOP personnel. With a .50 cal gun truck at the ECP, NMCB Five had the advantage over incoming vehicles and foot traffic. The gunner was equipped with a set of binoculars and a large night vision scope mounted on the .50 cal. The driver used a thermal camera and multiple light systems to aid in any Escalation of Force procedures as needed. Additional CSE personnel acted as the “boots on the ground,” using their M4’s with ACOG’s and other night vision assets to keep the ECP running as safely as possible.

Seabees attached to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 5 help repel a simulated attack on a drill conducted Feb. 17, 2010 during Operation Bearing Duel 2010.

CSE: Working with REACT

Battalion Aid StationBAS

February’s Field Training Exercise (FTX) helped test the readiness of every department in preparation for deployment. The Battalion Aid Station (BAS) medical staff was faced with many challenges including medical readiness throughout FTX, training of Combat Life Savers (CLS’s), and making sure the battalion was aware of procedures in case of emergency.

“It was good experience,” said Hospitalman Than Thach, this is Thach’s first FTX.“I got to go on patrols outside the wire, got see how night operations work and I got to use my medical background. It was what I was trained for, from “A” School and Field med,” he said.

Many individuals from each company helped the BAS aid casualties in times of emergency, these Seabees are CLS qualified.

“They are designated [Seabees] that we train up and qualify as CLS’s,” said Hospitalman Corpsman 2nd Class (SCW/FMF) John Garcia. “They go through classes such as basic trauma medicine. These are classes that they could use to save someone’s life. They have an elevated sense of patient care and trauma care in a field setting,” he said.

“It’s rewarding when people want to learn,” said Garcia. “When we are teaching someone and they are interested, they want to know the skills and apply them,” he said.

Seabees attached to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 5 participate in a Mass Casualty drill Feb. 22, 2010 during Operation Bearing Duel 2010.

Seabee Medical Training

Story and Photos By: Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Ace Rheaume

Equipment Operator Constructionman Jacob Fisher conducts a routine foot patrol with his squad Feb. 18, 2010 during Operation Bearing Duel 2010. Fisher is attached to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 5’s Convoy Security Element (CSE) Company.

One individual Garcia spoke highly of was a Convoy Security Element (CSE) Seabee, Equipment Operator Constructionman Jacob Fisher.

“While we were on FTX and I’m walking by his MRAP somebody goes “Doc!”” said Gar-cia. “They were calling Fisher “Doc” just because he was out there taking care of his people. He was always in [The BAS] learning; he got a lot of first hand experience out there,” he said.

“I learned to do suchers,” said Fisher. “IV’s, patient care and how to do clinical stuff,” he said.

Fisher said that he would like to someday cross-rate to be a Corpsman and is working on learning the rating.

“I love it,” said Fisher. “I want to be able to say that I saved someone’s life. What normal person can say that they did that or at least know how to,” he said.

The BAS performed very well during FTX and made sure everyone was healthy… although when it came close to FTX being over, they distributed the H1N1 vaccine to those in the battalion who needed it and got everyone sick.

Seabees attached to Naval Mobile Construc-tion Battalion (NMCB) 5 participated in Opera-tion Bearing Duel 2010, a Field Training Exercise (FTX) to prepare them for deployment to the Mid-dle East. This exercise takes place at Fort Hunt-er Liggett, Calif. during February in order to be tested and evaluated by the 31st Seabee Readiness Group (SRG). Each specific company and depart-ment was trained and tested to better prepare them for deployment through various training scenarios that Seabees might encounter while operating in a contingency environment.

“It compiles everything the Seabees might have to go through, from chemical, biological and radiological (CBR) attacks to Mass Casualty drills. FTX also evaluates every individual part of

Operation Bearing Duel 2010

Story and Photos by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Ace Rheaume

Seabees attached to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 5 walk toward the galley on a foggy morning Feb. 12, 2010 during Operation Bearing Duel 2010. Bearing Duel is a Field Training Exercise (FTX) that tests the battalion’s capability to deploy and conduct operations in a contingency environment.

the command, from command and control, down to the CBR teams to Medical and Supply”, said Builder 1st Class (SCW) Ricky Jones. “FTX eval-uates everything through different scenarios. We get graded on how we react to each situation, so we can learn where our strong and weak points are and what we can improve on as individuals and as a command,” he said. This is Jones’8th FTX with NMCB 5 and his 15th overall with the Seabees.

“FTX has come a long way from a couple of years ago and it just keeps getting better,” said Jones. “Vehicle Born Improvised Explosive De-vices (VBIEDs) became really relevant in Iraq, so we have to adjust, incorporate and refine train-ing so that is it relevant to real world scenarios that our battalion might encounter while deployed overseas,” he said.

“It’s important that we receive this training,” said Hospital Corpsman (SCW/FMF) 2nd Class Le Deo, who works in the Battalion Aid Station (BAS). “Our mission is to maintain the health of the battal-ion. This is what will most likely happen when we get deployed to a highly dangerous area,” said Deo. “If someone gets hurt, we treat them. Scenarios that we see include combat injuries, amputation, frac-tures and gunshot wounds,” said Deo. The BAS’s contribution is an essential asset to the battalion’s readiness. Security of the battalion is needed to maintain safety while NMCB 5 is deployed. Seabees also learn REACT Team Training while conducting FTX. “The REACT Team’s mission is to augment the rest of the security force,” said Master at Arms 1st Class (AW) Delilah Clymer “They provide in-terior guard security for the base and they are your first line of defense,” she said. The REACT Team is composed of Bravo Company Seabees. REACT coordinates with the rest of NMCB 5 during FTX to eliminate threats such as aggressors who infiltrate camp, reinforce-ment of company lines and the Entry Control Point (ECP). Training began as soon as NMCB 5 arrived at Fort Hunter Liggett.

“We’re taking probably an entire homeport’s worth of training and condensing it to basically about a week and a half. They are doing fantastic,” said Clymer. Clymer says that she is proud to teach NMCB 5’s Seabees training during this FTX.

“I learn just as much from the Seabees as I can offer them,” said Clymer. “Anything I teach them is another tool in their toolbox that they can uti-lize, but I am learning just as much from them,” she said. “They are catching on quickly and they are really into it. These Seabees get great support from their chain of command. They are having a good time and they are learning,” she said.

Although preparing for deployment can be tough, this FTX will help NMCB 5’s Seabees carry out their mission. “It’s kind of fun in a crazy way, but it does get stressful,” said Jones. “The most dif-ficult part is keeping everyone motivated, because we do get put in a lot of stressful and challenging situations,” he said.

NMCB 5 will be taking the training acquired from FTX and apply it to their next scheduled de-ployment to the Middle East.

Master at Arms 1st Class (AW) Delilah Clymer, Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 5’s Master at Arms, teaches a group of Bravo Company Seabees REACT Team training and Entry Control Point (ECP) training Feb. 12, 2010 during Operation Bear-ing Duel 2010. The REACT Team provides an interior security force on base.