Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 25 concludes “Operation Footprint” for Navajo Nation

Photo By Oscar Garcia | Jeremy Boucher, Director of Operations for the Southwest Indian Foundation (SWIF) takes the floor to address distinguished visitors during the open house event at SWIF facilities where Innovative Readiness Training (IRT) is partially fulfilled in partnership with the Department of Defense (DOD). IRT is a DOD program that integrates military training with community service, enhancing the readiness and capabilities of U.S. military personnel while simultaneously addressing the needs of communities. By conducting projects that provide vital services such as healthcare, construction, transportation, and cybersecurity, IRT ensures that service members gain real-world experience and practical skills in their respective fields. These missions foster civil-military partnerships, bolster community infrastructure, and improve the quality of life for Americans, all while maintaining a high state of readiness for military personnel to meet operational requirements​ Naval Construction Group One (NCG 1) is homeported in Pt. Hueneme, California, and leads and manages the overall capability and readiness of its Naval Construction Regiments (NCR’s), Naval Mobile Construction Battalions (NMCB’s), Construction Battalion Maintenance Unit (CBMU), and Underwater Construction Team (UCT). NCG1 provides the required engineering support that the Navy and Nation needs to construct and maintain base facilities, repair battle damaged facilities, conduct defensive operations as required, and to meet disaster preparedness and recovery missions.  

GALLUP, NEW MEXICO, UNITED STATES

06.18.2024

Story by Oscar Garcia 

Naval Construction Group ONE

Gallup, NM – June 18th 2024 – Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 25 (NMCB 25), in collaboration with the Southwest Indian Foundation and the 567th Rapid Engineer Deployable, Heavy Operational Repair Squadron, Engineer (RED HORSE), has successfully completed "Operation Footprint," an Innovative Readiness Training (IRT) project that built an ADA-compliant home for Alvin Malone, a Navajo military descendant. This initiative enhanced military readiness and improved the quality of life for the Malone family.

Lt. j.g. Crider, the project’s officer in charge (OIC), emphasized the humanitarian impact of the project, and said, "Working with the local community and providing homes for Veterans in the Navajo Nation has been really rewarding. The humanitarian aspects of what the Seabees do are very important to me and should be publicized more."

This project is part of a broader effort by the Southwest Indian Foundation to address housing shortages on the Navajo Reservation. It also served as a meaningful tribute to Alvin Malone's father, Richard Malone, a WWII Army veteran who served under Lieutenant General George S. Patton.

Capt. Douglas Whimpey, commodore, First Naval Construction Regiment (1st NCR), emphasized the importance of this collaboration, and said ,“Interoperability is becoming more important every day in combat and in jobs like these. When we have a chance to apply it on an exercise, it’s absolutely crucial. Having different services working together allows us to learn, to speak the same language, coordinate, and collaborate effectively.”

Looking ahead, the IRT program will continue to foster civil-military partnerships and address diverse community needs across the United States and its territories. Enhanced collaboration with local governments and organizations will ensure that IRT missions deliver critical services while providing robust training opportunities for military personnel.

Naval Construction Group One (NCG 1) is homeported in Pt. Hueneme, California, and leads and manages the overall capability and readiness of its Naval Construction Regiments (NCR’s), Naval Mobile Construction Battalions (NMCB’s), Construction Battalion Maintenance Unit (CBMU), and Underwater Construction Team (UCT). NCG1 provides the required engineering support that the Navy and Nation needs to construct and maintain base facilities, repair battle damaged facilities, conduct defensive operations as required, and to meet disaster preparedness and recovery missions.

For more information on the Naval Construction Force, please visit: https://www.necc.usff.navy.mil/ncg-1/ or contact NCG-1 public affairs at [phone] or [e-mail].

• Date Taken: 06.18.2024
• Date Posted: 06.20.2024 13:27
• Story ID: 474332
• Location: GALLUP, NEW MEXICO, US