Photo By Chief Petty Officer Justin Stumberg | U.S. Embassy in Casablanca and U.S. Navy and Royal Moroccan Navy (RMN) leadership...... read more read more
U.S. Navy Seabees from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 1, in partnership with the Royal Moroccan Navy (RMN), commemorated the completion of the Maritime Interdiction Operations (MIO) Training Facility with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the RMN Diving School in Sidi Kankouch, Morocco, March 4, 2025.
The newly completed facility is part of a broader initiative funded by U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) to improve maritime security infrastructure and partnerships in the region. It is designed to enhance regional maritime security and interoperability, builds upon previous U.S.-Moroccan security cooperation projects supporting training for multinational exercises such as African Lion and Phoenix Express.
“This facility represents another milestone in the long-standing partnership between the United States and Morocco,” said Capt. Jeremy Wheat, Commander, Task Force (CTF) 68. “Strategically located near the Strait of Gibraltar, this training center enhances our ability to operate effectively in a critical maritime chokepoint while reinforcing regional security cooperation.”
Wheat also highlighted the Seabees’ exceptional efforts in delivering this critical infrastructure on schedule despite challenges faced throughout the project. Construction of the facility was a multi-battalion effort between NMCB 1, NMCB 11, and NMCB 133 with early site preparations and structural work beginning in August 2022 after delays due to COVID-19 travel restrictions. Multiple detachments from all three battalions advanced construction through critical phases.
“The unwavering commitment and craftsmanship of our Seabees are evident in this facility’s construction,” said Wheat. “Despite unforeseen challenges, their ability to innovate and push forward ensured the project’s success. Their efforts here in Morocco highlight how critical Naval Construction Forces are in enabling operational advantage and fostering strong alliances and partnerships.”
The Seabees completed extensive construction efforts, including 1,500 square meters of site improvements, an 18-meter-long retaining wall, a 505 square meter stepped deep-footing foundation with a floating concrete pad, and a 500 square meter open high-bay pre-engineered building.
“This project exemplifies the strong “Can-Do” commitment between partner, operational, and supporting commanders working together to develop a solution that maximized efficient use of valuable resources and the Seabees available to execute,” said Capt. Allen Willey, Commodore of the 22nd Naval Construction Regiment (NCR). “Seabees, Navy Civil Engineer Corp Officers, and Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command Europe, Africa, Central swarmed current conditions embracing the ‘Get Real Get Better’ mindset while delivering maritime security mission-critical infrastructure.”
What stood out to Willey was the perseverance and dedication of the teams involved along with the real-time requisite effort from all stakeholders, which he believes needs to be habit when executing military construction projects.
“It was over multiple deployment rotations battling challenging conditions, that our teams persevered as they worked alongside Moroccan partners to bring this facility from concept, design, and construction to reality, reinforcing our shared commitment to excellence and Regional maritime security and readiness,” said Willey.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony was attended by senior U.S. Embassy and Moroccan military officials, local dignitaries, and service members from both nations.
The MIO Training Facility is expected to support multinational exercises and security cooperation initiatives, further strengthening regional defense capabilities and deterring illicit maritime activities such as smuggling, piracy, and trafficking.
CTF 68, headquartered in Rota, Spain, commands all Navy Expeditionary Combat Forces in the U.S. European Command (USEUCOM) and U.S. Africa Command (USAFRICOM) areas of responsibility and is responsible for providing EOD operations, naval construction, expeditionary security, and theater security efforts in direct support of U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa (NAVEUR-NAVAF) and U.S. Sixth Fleet.
22nd NCR commands naval construction forces for Navy Expeditionary Combat Forces Europe-Africa/Task Force 68 across the 6th Fleet area of operations to defend U.S., Allied, and partner interests.
| Date Taken: | 03.04.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 04.22.2025 02:43 |
| Story ID: | 495734 |
| Location: | SIDI KANKOUCH, MA |
| Web Views: | 167 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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