U.S. Navy Seabees joined U.S. Marines, Philippine Navy Seabees in the bilateral Balikatan 2022 exercise.

Photo By Petty Officer 2nd Class Nickolas Falk | 220412-N-VJ369-1009 APARRI, Philippines (April 12, 2022) U.S. Seabees with Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 3, U.S. Marines with the 9th Engineer Support Battalion, and Philippine Navy Seabees with the Naval Combat Engineering Brigade reinforce an amphibious beach landing site with trenches and a timber bunker for Balikatan 2022’s coastal defense exercise. NMCB-3 is deployed across the Indo-Pacific region conducting high-quality construction for the U.S. and partner nations to strengthen partnerships, deter aggression, and enable expeditionary logistics and naval power projection. The battalion stands ready to complete assigned tasking, support humanitarian aid/disaster relief, and major combat operations throughout the area of operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Builder Travis Klawonn)  

CLAVERIA/APARRI, PHILIPPINES

04.12.2022

Story by Petty Officer 2nd Class Nickolas Falk 

Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 3

CLAVERIA, Philippines - U.S. Navy Seabees assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 3, participated in the Balikatan 2022 exercise alongside 9th Engineer Support Battalion (ESB) Marines and Philippine Navy Seabees of the Naval Combat Engineering Brigade (PN-NCEBde) from March 5th to April 8th, 2022.
Balikatan (a Tagalog word meaning “shoulder-to-shoulder”) is an annual multinational joint service exercise that showcases military cooperation through a variety of training evolutions: field exercises, amphibious assaults, engineering projects, and coastal defense operations. NMCB-3 Seabees provided direct engineering support throughout north Luzon, simultaneously building a schoolhouse in Claveria and participating in a coastal defense exercise in Aparri.
In Claveria, the 42-person joint engineering team built an 18-meter-by-7-meter two-room schoolhouse in the Taggat Sur Barangay for a local elementary school. Over the past several years, heavy storms have damaged the existing classrooms, rendering them unusable. This new structure will now provide a safe and functional learning environment for the kindergarten and first-grade students. It can also serve as a safe refuge for up to 100 people during severe weather. The schoolhouse was constructed primarily of concrete and cement blocks with a corrugated metal roof supported by prefabricated iron trusses. Start-to-finish, it was built in only 28 days. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the schoolchildren were not allowed on the grounds to watch the construction or the final unveiling. However, the mere thought of their enthusiasm and joy for a new school kept the crew motivated the entire way.
In Aparri, four NMCB-3 Seabees accompanied 9th ESB Marines and Philippine Navy Seabees in a coastal defense training exercise. Participants spent 12 days in an austere environment while refining their tactical operations skills. The combined force was busy at work placing timber bunkers, digging trenches for fighting positions, and reinforcing over 800 meters of beach in just three days. Their quick work allowed embarked friendly forces off-shore to land on the beach and simulate multiple assaults. These drills provided the perfect opportunity for units to share, demonstrate, and practice their tactics.
While Balikatan only lasts a month each year, it provides a lifetime of memories and experiences. NMCB-3 is deployed across the Indo-Pacific region conducting high-quality construction for the U.S. and partner nations to strengthen relationships, deter aggression, and enable expeditionary logistics and naval power projection. The Battalion stands ready to complete assigned tasking, support humanitarian aid/disaster relief, and major combat operations throughout the area of operations.

• Date Taken: 04.12.2022
• Date Posted: 05.10.2022 15:27
• Story ID: 420315
• Location: CLAVERIA/APARRI, PH