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J J J 2 5 1994 MOREELL LIBRARY MCB 133 1993 EUROPEAN . DEPLOYMENT COMPLETION REPORT ·.

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Page 1: MCB 133 J - United States Navy · rebuilding storage crates, field testing equipment and recertifying containers. This evolution was completed in four months and resulted in identifying

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2 5 ~\lu 1994

MOREELL LIBRARY

MCB 133

1993 EUROPEAN .

DEPLOYMENT COMPLETION

REPORT

·.

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DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY U.S. NAVAL MOBILE CONSTRUCTION BA TI ALION

ONE TIIlRTY-THREE UNIT 60254

FPO AA 34099-5041

3121 Ser OPS/ 201 20 Jun 94

From: Commanding Officer, U. S. Naval Mobile Construction Battalion ONE THIRTY-THREE To: Distribution

Subj: SUBMISSION OF DEPLOYMENT COMPLETION REPORT

Ref: (a) COMCBPAC/COMCBLANTINST 3121.lB (b) COM22NDNCR OPORDER 04-93

Encl: (1) Executive Summary (2) Administration/Special Staffs (3) Training (4) Operations: Mainbody (5) Operations: Details (6) Supply and Logistics (7) Equipment (8) Camp Maintenance

l. Enclosures (1) through (8) are forwarded in accordance with reference (a).

2. In accordance with reference (b), U.S. Naval Mobile Construction Battalion ONE THIRTY-THREE deployed to Camp Mitchell, Rota, Spain, during the period 06 July 1993 to 15 February 1994 with details deployed to Thurmont, MD; Souda Bay, Crete; Sigonella, Italy; Naples, Italy, and Edzell, Scotland. Details were also deployed in support of "DYNAMIC GUARD" and "WATC" exercises.

Distribution: CNO (OP-446) COMNA VF ACENGCOM (Code 06) COMSECONDNCB (2 copies) COMTHIRDNCB (2 copies) COM20THNCR CE COS NMCBFORTY NMCBONE NMCBTHREE

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

U.S. Naval Mobile Construction Battalion ONE THIRTY-TIIREE deployed from Gulfport, Mississippi to the European theater during the period 06 July 1993 to 15 February 1994 where it engaged in 28 major projects critical to improving safety and quality of life. Projects at the mainbody site in Rota, Spain, and details to Sigonella, Italy; Naples, Italy; Souda Bay, Crete; E<izell, Scotland and Thunnont, Maryland all provided diverse and challenging work. The battalion's objectives were to ensure constant readiness in all mission areas, complete work correctly, improve constantly and continuously, and to innovate and take acceptable risks. The feedback we received from our customers during deployment and each station Commanding Officer at the end of deployment underscored our success in meeting these objectives.

Administration/Special Staffs

The Administrative Department operated at a fast pace during the homeport period in preparation for deployment. Once in Rota, the Department strived to provide the best custome~ service possible in the Admin, Personnel, Legal and Career Counselor areas. The Department as a whole operated at peak efficiency during the deployment executing administrative tasks ranging from movement of Details DYNAMIC GUARD '93 and W ATC '93 to battalion-wide service record verification and command directives verification. Legal stayed active in liaisoit with base and civil authorities. The Career Counselor reported a superb retention rate despite the Navy's drawdown. Safety managed a highly aggressive program with emphasis on hazard recognition and abatement. Special Services provided a wide variety of cultural and recreational opportunities which were very popular.

Training

The Training Department scheduled, managed and documented 9 ,519 mandays of training throughout the deployment. Battalion-wide training was conducted on each working Saturday as well as selected normal working days. This training included the BZO ofM16Al's, Mortar Refresher Training, a Battalion Aid Station Exercise, a Command Post Exercise (CPX), Military Tactics, Cold Weather Training, CPR, COMSEC Materials System (CMS), Airlift Hazmat, PREVENT, Command Indoctrination, 40 Hour Safety, Seabee Combat Warfare Specialist (SCW) classes, and various GMT topics. The deployment tasking and reserve augment personnel provided excellent OIT opportunities.

Physical training was held twice per week, resulting in more than 99% of the battalion passing the physical readiness test with an average score of excellent.

Operations

Battalion operations were spread throughout the Euro-African region. Projects were undertaken at the mainbody site in Rota, Spain, as well as the normal detail sites in Thunnont, Maryland; Edzell, Scotland; Souda Bay, Crete; Sigonella, Italy and Naples, Italy. Two Deployment-for-Training (DFT) details engaged in construction in support of Operation DYNAMIC GUARD and WATC '93. A total of 28 tasked projects were undertaken with 18 completed and 2,346 mandays of CO discretionary work were completed.

The 1993 deployment to the European tl1eater provided a wide variety of challenges for the battalion. The tasking in Rota was anchored by three primary projects that were worked during most of the deployment: the NCF's largest active project - The Enlisted Club Addition which was turned over from NMCB-1 and turned over to NMCB-40, The Fuel Fann Fire Station which was turned over from NMCB-1 and completed in December, and the start of the Replace Water Lines project. Each of these presented unique problems for the crews who responded with traditional "Can Do" spirit and produced high quality work. The Secretary of the Navy was so impressed with the work on the Fire Station project that he awarded the entire crew Navy Achievement Medals. Asphalt laying skills reached a peak with completion of several smaH and then two large projects - The VQ2 Parking Lot and Rota Front Gate Paving. ABFC skills in sealmt construction were enhanced by the construction of six seahuts at Camp Columbus. With the help of a Public Works local national skilled in ceramic tile laying, the longstanding Gym Improvement project was completed with a super end product. And a fired-up crew on the RUBB Building completed the project in just four weeks, 30% of the original manday estimate.

l Enclosure (1)

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C.O. Discretionary projects were used to fill in shortages in project tasking, particularly in the first two and last two months of deployment. Forty projects totalling l ,307 mandays, 30% more than originally tasked, were completed.

Two Deployment-For-Training (DFT's) tested the battalion's ability to mount out details, complete remote construction, and interact with a variety of local nationals. The first one to Corlu, Turkey, supported Operation DYNAMIC GUARD with construction of three major projects including a 19,200 square foot vehicle wash rack. Three C-5 airplanes were required to mount out this detail. In support of WATC '93 (West African Training Cruise), nine man teams were dispatched to Senegal, Ghana and Guinea-Bissau. Each team enhanced foreign relations with the work they accomplished.

One disaster recovery operation was conducted. On the night of 26 November, the battalion was requested by the Spanish Navy to assist in recovery of the wreckage of a destroyed A V-8B Harrier that had crashed in a muddy field at the end of the Rota runway. After surveying the site that night, the battalion mobilized a 12 man team with full protective gear who conducted the recovery the next day in just four hours. The battalion also provided advice on the need for personal protective equipment in the toxic enviroment to other crash site observers, thus eliminating this safety hazard. .

At Sigonella, Italy, a 60 man detail completed 5,002 mandays of work on seven tasked and eight OIC Discretionary projects. Five projects were completed - Bldg 407 Renovation, Acid Tank Containment, Fire Crash Rescue Pad, NEX Personalized Services Mini Mall and Camp Olson HAZMA T Pad. Two were turned over to NMCB-40: BEQ Rehab and Addition/Repair to RFF Building.

At Souda Bay, Crete, an 88 man detail completed 7,061 mandays of work on three tasked and seventeen OIC Discretionary projects. Two projects were completed - Relocate Supply Warehouse and Repair/Upgrade Sewer Line and one turned over to NMCB-40 - Construct MWR Facility.

At Edzell, Scotland, a 28 man detail completed 2,468 mandays of work on seven tasked projects and two OIC Discretionary projects. Four tasked projects were completed -Addition to EDF Bldg 39, Seabee Camp PEB, Oil/Water Seperator, and NEX Gas Station. Three were turned over tci NMCB-40 - Construct 40ft x lOOft PEB, NEX Warehouse Bldg 88, and Repair UEPH Rooms.

At Thurmont, Maryland, a 16 man detail completed 1,431 mandays of work on two tasked projects. The detail completed one project - Replace Cabins 115 & 116 and started one other project - Grounds Maintenance Building.

At Naples, Italy, a 15 man detail expended 517 mandays ofwork to complete the Renovate Bldg 524, Carney Park, project.

Supply and Logistics

The Supply Department's greatest challenge was the 100% inventory of Camp Mitchell's Table of Allowance (TOA). Personnel from the Supply Department and Bravo Company conducted a complete line item inventory of the Air Det TOA and a 100% facility/assembly inventory oft.he Air/Sea Echelon including a random line item inventory of 35% of these facilities/assemblies. This process not only involved inventoring, out also rebuilding storage crates, field testing equipment and recertifying containers. This evolution was completed in four months and resulted in identifying $150,000 in shortages.

With the assistance of four reservists, the Automotive Repair Parts outlet conducted a wall-to-wall inventory over a 12 day period. Numerous repair parts previously believed to be "not in stock" were found, which saved the camp thousands of dollars in unnecessary expenditures. Inventory validity increased and remained at 96% throughout the deployment, which was verified during the Supply Management Inspection.

Wall-to-wall inventories were also conducted in the Central Storeroom, Central Toolroom and Greens Issue. All outlets exceeded the TY COM goal of 95% for inventory validity.

In January, the battalion made the transition from Utility Greens to Camouflage Utility Uniforms (CUU's). This was a major undertaking for the Greens Issue outlet. Not only did the Ships Servicemen have to inventory and issue CUU's to main body personnel, but they also had to sort and send CUU's to all detail sites.

The galley had the difficult task of providing a variety of meals while receiving inconsistant subsistence support. But through dedication and extra e.ff ort given by the Mess Management Specialists, the galley consistently prepared excellent meals and provided outstanding service to all patrons.

2 Enclosure ( 1)

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ADMINISTRATION I SPECIAL STAFFS

AD MIN/PERSONNEL

1. Lessons Learned:

A. Problem: The NA VST A Burn Center was closed for one month. Discussion: The policy while in Rota is to burn all official paperwork. In a typical week, we generated 35

to 40 bags of material for burning. When the Burn Center closed for over a month for repairs, an alternative source was required. We established contact with Naval Security Group Detachment, Rota, to use their industrial shredder.

Solution: None, just be prepared to use alternative destruction methods should the Burn Center close again.

B. Problem: Assignment of personnel to Limited Duty. Discussion: Difficulty was experienced with Naval Hospital, Rota, notifying the battalion that a member

had been assigned to Limited Duty. Often there was a two to three week lag between the assignment to Limited Duty and receipt of the official notification from the hospital. Timeliness is important because the battalion must • notify BUPERS when a member goes on Limited Duty so that the person will get reassigned to another wtit.

Recommendation: Close liaison between Battalion medical and the Naval Hospital is required to track members who are referred to the hospital for conditions that may eventually lead to assignment to Limited Duty.

C. Problem: Official travel using scheduled airlines in the Mediterranean area is expensive and time consuming.

Discussion: The cost of travel of a one way ticket between Rota and Souda Bay, and between Rota and Sigonella, is $1,074 and $817 respectively. Since each of these destinations requires three seperate flights, it takes almost an entire day. An alternative service, Air Services Coordinator, Mediterranean (ASCOMED) can provide no cost travel for detail visits, except to Edzell. We made the vast majority of detail visits using ASCOMED and they proved quite effective. Almost daily flights to Sigonella and two flights per week to Souda Bay were generally available.

Recommendation: Use ASCOMED as the primary means of traveling. A four to five day window should be given at each stop along the route to ensure ASCOMED availability. Additionally, phone liaison with ASCOMED in the planning stages of the trip can aid in detennining availability and dates of scheduled flights.

SPECIAL STAFFS

People Programs

1. Narrative: NMCB-133 places its highest priority on people, and our efforts positively contributed to battalion and dependent family morale. Prior to leaving for Rota, the battalion prepared a comprehensive deployment handbook. It contained a wealth of information to help dependent family members, including a pre-deployment family protection check-off list, deployed maihng addresses, telegram instructions, and deployment site descriptions.

The "Kangroo Kourier," a bi-monthly familygram, kept families and friends apprised of deployment highlights and the battalion's efforts on the base and around the community. The Kangroo Public Affairs Office also sent articles and photos to various Navy publications on a weekly basis, including the "Rota Coastline," Gulfport's "Seabee Center Courier," Port Hueneme, California's "Seabee Coverall," and the Navy Europe News Service.

NMCB-133's ombudsman program was equally active, providing the best possible support to wives and children during the deployment. Yet another positive force for Kangroo wtity was the Family Support Group, which promoted family harmony through continuous communication.

1 Enclosure (2)

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Special Services

1. Narrative: Special Services provided a variety of cultural and recreational opportunities which were very popular. Trips to some of southern Spain's most beautiful cities and towns helped the men experience the culture beyond Rota's gates. Among the more popular sightseeing trips were Seville, Cordoba, Jerez de la Frontera, Arcos de la Frontera, Ronda, Torremolinos, and a guided tour of the ancient city of Cadiz.

As a local outlet on the Navy's motion picture circuit, Special Services received popular stateside movies on a nightly basis. Many of these had been released only a few weeks before we received them.

Special Services sponsored a traditional "over-the-hwnp" or 1nid-deployment party. Delicious food, great music and sports rounded out a well attended party. The Christmas party combined the same elements of great food, music, and prizes to make for great fun and help divert attention from family separation.

On any given day, lunch time at the Special Services recreation center was packed with ping-pong, billiards, fooseball, and video game players. Overall, this was the battalion's most popular, accessible, and consistent diversion from the work day. Special Services also sponsored the battalion's 3-man volleyball and flag football teams. They sold battalion T-shirts, hats and concessions at the recreation center.

Career Counselor

1. Narrative: NMCB-l33's overall retention rate has been superb despite the Navy's drawdown, decreased advruicement opportunity and the nwnerous early out programs and incentives. We used a variety of teclmiques to convince our best people to "stay Navy," including one-on-one career planning, demonstrating sincere interest in the troops' quality of life, and continuously promoting the benefits of higher education.

ISTTERM 2NDTERM CAREER

ELIGIBLE 63 lO 25

FY-93 RETENTION STATISTICS

INELIGIBLE REENLISTED GROSS % 21 52 62% 2 8 75% 3 19 68%

NET% 83% 80% 76%

1. Narrative: The DAPA processed lO cases while in Rota. He stayed actively involved in battalion training by presenting a two hour brief during each Battalion INDOC program which covered alcohol and drug awareness and prevention. The DAP A was also actively involved with the local AA group and regularly attended meetings at the Naval.Hospital's Alcohol Rehabilitation Department.

1. Narrative: Legal stayed active both with routine work (e.g. drafting nwnerous powers of attorney) and with deployment specific work (e.g. acting as liaison with other agencies when members were involved with legal matters in town, or processing NJP cases for violations of the UCMJ).

DEPLOYMENT NJP SUMMARY

JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC JAN FEB TOTAL NJP CASES= 0 6 9 4 5 8 7 7 46

Note: There were no courts-martials held during the deployment.

2 Enclosure (2)

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1. Narrative: NMCB-133 managed a highly aggressive safety program through the close coordination between the Safety Office and company safety representatives, project supervisors, and company chiefs. Emphasis was placed on hazard recognition and abatement. Safety awareness and consciousness were reinforced through safety notes in the plan of the week, safety stand downs, posters on company safety bulletin boards, daily stand up safety lectures, and company training days. The safety supervisors course was administered to all indoctrination personnel, exceeding the requirements for this training. The safety staff conducted daily project inspections to ensure safe working conditions and practices were in effect. Result: No reportable jobsite injuries in Rota for the entire deployment.

The expert services of the NA VST A Rota, Spain, safety manager and industrial hygiene specialist were utilized throughout the deployment. A survey by the industrial hygienist, a NAVOSH inspection and results from the Second NCB's Safety DMI pointed out some areas for improvement within Camp Mitchell, and these were quickly corrected and documented, making conditions safer for battalion personnel working in those areas.

Safety is the number one priority ofNMCB-133 . The Commanding Officer's zero defects approach towards safety was a primary concern at all levels of leadership.

SAFETY ST A TISTICS

MONTH JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC JAN FEB TOTAL Fatalities 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 #Days L.T. 16 4 16 3 10 14 0 0 63 #Cases L.T. l 0 l l 0 0 0 4 #Days L.D. 151 213 230 146 59 64 0 14 877 # First Aid Mishaps 15 42 10 11 8 7 l 3 97 # Gov't Yeh Mishaps 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 l

Dental

1. Narrative: Upon arrival at Camp Mitchell, a clinical inventory was conducted and all shortages were ordered, most of them in early July. At the end of deployment, those items that had not yet arrived were requested from the Rota Dental Clinic.

Medical

DENT AL DEPARTMENT ST A TISTICS

Annual Appointments Total Patient Visits After Hours Emergencies Total Referrals to Base Dental

197 714 4 15

1. Narrative: During the first week of the deployment, a wall to wall TOA inventory was conducted and $95,000 of shortages were placed on order. During the inventory, medical repair personnel from Naval Hospital, Rota, performed maintenance checks on the TOA and clinic equipment and certified them operational. The audio metric booth was certified and an additional audiometer was obtained from Naval Hospital, Naples. In the second month of deployment, the department engaged in a very successful Battalion Aid Station Exercise and Mass Casualty Drill. Naval Hospital, Rota provided superb specialty and routine care. The Medical Officer stood duty in the Naval Hospital emergency room. All audiograms were performed by aviation medicine at the Naval Hospital.

3 Enclosure (2)

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Medical Department Statistics

Admitted to Naval Hospital Rota 21 Laboratory 228 Admitted to Civilian Hospital 1 Audio Tests Conducted 116 SIQ Patients 62 Out Patient Visits 1, 113 SIQ Days 82 Alcohol Evaluations 8 Immunizations 434 Psychiatric Referrals 5 Glasses Ordered 46 Psychiatric Visits 10 Pharmacy Units 797 Physical Exams 112 Competency For Duty Exams 4

Chaplain

1. Narrative: Protestant worship services were conducted by the battalion Chaplain at Camp Mitchell's Chapel in the Pines throughout the deployment. Roman Catholic Mass was provided each Sunday and Holy Day at NA VST A Chapel.

During the deployment, a weekly Bible study was conducted. The Chaplain ministered to the details via Lay readers assigned to each detail. Additionally, he made one visit to Detail Sigonella.

Special services conducted during deployment included: Two Lay readers leading Protestant services; a three day Spiritual Revival; and Thanksgiving and Chrisunas services being combined with services at NA VST A Roia.

4 Enclosure (2)

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