Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 133
| Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 133 | |
|---|---|
|
NMCB 133 insignia | |
| Active |
17 September 1943 – 1946 12 August 1966 - present |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | USN |
| Homeport | Construction Battalion Center Gulfport |
| Nickname(s) | "Runnin' Roos" |
| Motto(s) | "Kangroo Can Do" |
| Engagements |
World War II Vietnam War Operation Provide Comfort Gulf War Operation Joint Endeavor Operation Enduring Freedom Operation Iraqi Freedom |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander | CDR Miguel Dieguez |
| ||||||
Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 133 is a United States Navy Construction Battalion, otherwise known as a Seabee Battalion, based out of Naval Construction Battalion Center, Gulfport, Mississippi.
World War II: 133 Naval Construction Battalion
The unit was commissioned on 17 September 1943, as the 133rd Naval Construction Battalion (NCB). 133 NCB was posted to the 4th Marine Division for the Assault on Iwo Jima that took place on 19 February 1945, with a primary task of maintaining material support to the forward lines of the 23rd,24th, and 25th Marines. As soon as the Japanese were driven from their airstrips, the 62nd and 31st Seabees went to work and in just seven days had Motoyama Airfield #1 operational for use by American forces. Over the next 26 days the battle for Iwo Jima was waged. During that time the 133rd suffered 328 casualties, with 3 officers and 39 enlisted killed in action while an additional 2 were MIA. Those losses were the highest number of casualties for any Seabee unit ever. 133 NCB was awarded the Navy Unit Commendation for its part in the Battle of Iwo Jima. In December 1945, with the military down-sizing from World War II, the Battalion was decommissioned due to the reduced need for the existing Naval Construction force.
The 133rd that landed on Iwo Jima had an Insignia drawn by Hank Porter at the Walt Disney Studios Insignia Department. A second class Jack E. Dorn - 3rd platoon D Co. sent a request to the Disney Studios on 9 December 1944. The Studios received it on 26 December and sent the completed design to the Battalion in June 1945. The Battalion was still on Iwo Jima when it was received. That insignia was of a Seabee walking, carrying a hammer and Monkey Wrench while chewing a stem of oats.[1] "RAINMAKERS" was the moniker those men used as they felt it Rained everywhere they went. It also was the name they used on the Unit History published in 1946.[2]--- (133 external link bottom of page)-on page6.
The Battalion was transferred TAD to the 4th Marine Division 31 Oct 1944 and returned to the Navy March 1945. (D-plus 18) 133 NCB and the 4th Marine Pioneers were the primary units that composed the Assault Battalions Shore Party for the 23rd and 25th Regimental Combat Teams (RCT), 4th Marine Division Yellow and Blue beaches.[3] "The 4th Marine Division had just one Pioneer Battalion, the 4th, which was assigned to the 25th RCT. Therefore another Pioneer Battalion was needed for the 23rd RCT's Assault and the Marines thought 133 satisfied that need".[4]
Vietnam
The Battalion was reactivated 12 August in Gulfport Mississippi. It seems the Battalion did not have a copy of the unit History from WWII with the Disney insignia and there was a belief that the Battalions first deployment was supposed to have been Australia. This belief produced the Kangaroo insignia and the slogan "Kangaroo Can Do". After completion of training they deployed to Da Nang, Viet Nam. The Battalion was awarded its second Navy Unit Commendation for this tour. The second deployment took them to Phu Bai, Viet Nam. This time they had a huge project laying 10,00 sheets on matting at that airfield. In 1969 the third deployment took the Battalion to Camp Wilkinson 6 miles southeast of Hue. One the projects this time was repairing the 286' center span of the main highway bridge damaged during the Tet Offensive.
In 1970 the Battalion did a tour where the Sun never set on it. It deployed to Okinawa with detachments to : Guam, Bien Hoa, Viet Nam, Azores and the Aleutians. This was followed by a deployment of firsts. They were the first Alantic fleet Battalion to serve as the alert Battalion for the Pacific Fleet. From Okinawa they had detachment to Iwakuni, Japan, Oahu, Hawaii, Bein Hoa, Viet Nam and Subic Bay, P.I.
During the 1974 Okinawa Deployment the Battalion lost two Officers in an ambush in the Philippines to unknown assailants. Commanding Officer Cdr. L.R. Dobler and Lt. Jefferies PI OIC. Also killed was Capt. T. Mitchell Commander 30th NCR.
Iraq
In March 1991 the Battalion deployed to Spain. A month later they were redeployed as a component of Operation Provide Comfort. This took the Battalion to Sikh, Iraq assigned to the Army's 18th Engineering Brigade. When the Main Body mounted out of Rota it's equipment was sent by sea to Iskenderum Turkey. From there it was convoyed 400 miles to Zakho, Iraq.[5]
Bosnia
December 1995 into 1996, in support of operation "Joint Endeavor" an Air Det Heavy of roughly 200 men deployed to Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina. Renovation of the NATO Commander's facilities in Sarajevo was one project. Detail Juliet Echo was assigned the construction of camps for the US Army's 16th Corps Support Group in Croatia and the 1st Armored Division's Ready 1st Combat Team in Bosnia.
In March 1998 the Battalion sent a Det of 217 men back to Bosnia to build SEAHuts and do bridge repair work.[6]
Iraq
January and February 2003 saw the Battalion deployed in support of the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force operationally assigned to the 1st MEF Engineer Group. In Southern Iraq the Battalion created a POW facility for 14,000,provided defense for 2 bridges and maintenance to the main supply routes. The men also assembled a pontoon bridge over the Tigris. In addition, the Battalion was tasked with many Civil Action Projects.[7]
2005–Present
On August 29, 2005 Hurricane Katrina came through the central Gulf Coast, taking many lives and causing catastrophic damage to the homes and businesses of countless residents. Within a day, the Seabees from battalions of NMCB 1, 7, and 133 rushed out to clear roads so emergency workers could access hard hit areas.
In the ensuing weeks, NMCB 133 provided extensive humanitarian aid around the area, including the critical repair of lift stations, cleaning and repair of government buildings and schools, and the distribution of food, water and clothing to local residents in need.
As these important projects were going on, teams from the battalion were deployed to assist Seabees whose homes were affected by Katrina. In NMCB 133, 118 out of 659 people either lost their homes entirely or had them damaged so badly they were uninhabitable. Those Seabees and their families either sought refuge in warehouses on base or with friends and family.
Only two months later, the Roos were ready to deploy in November 2005. NMCB 133 deployed to numerous sites throughout Southwest Asia, with additional details in Guam and Whidbey Island. In Iraq, the Runnin’ Roos of NMCB 133 supported Marines, Special Operations Forces and Iraqi Security Forces.
The NMCB 133 2007 deployment involved four continents. The Battalion worked in support of Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) building schools in remote villages and making clean water available to locals. A detail assigned to "New Horizons" built schools in rural Belize. NMCB 133 also had a presence in São Tomé, working in cooperation with Underwater Construction Team ONE (UCT 1) to rebuild the only boat launch available to the country’s Coast Guard.
Over the next few years, the Battalion made two separate deployments to Iraq and Okinawa, Japan. NMCB 133's Seabees built the foundation for new buildings on White Beach Naval Facility in Okinawa and restored running water to a village in Kemaman district of Malaysia that had not had such a luxury in over three years. A 35-foot wind-powered turbine and solar panel were installed to provide power to the pump.
Following the end of the PACOM tour, the Roos redeployed to Gulfport, MS for a 15-month homeport and training cycle. In March 2010, the Battalion deployed over 600 Seabees from Gulfport to Afghanistan in support of the 30,000 troop surge.
NMCB 133 successfully set up a site on Kandahar Airfield (KAF), Afghanistan which was used as their mainbody site. The site consisted of nothing more than a bed of gravel when they arrived. Within a month, the battalion had a fully operational Seabee camp. They constructed buildings, set up tents, and worked with an adjacent Army unit to supply power.
Among the list of accomplishments completed by NMCB 133's Runnin' Roos, the following were most noteworthy:
- The drilling of a well over 1,210 feet (370 m) deep that produces approximately 25,000 US gallons (95,000 l; 21,000 imp gal) of water per day.
- The construction of many Southwest Asia (SWA) Huts over many locations throughout Afghanistan.
- Construction and electrical distribution to many living quarters, shower units, and dining facilities.
- Significant perimeter expansion of four forward operating bases.
- Construction of numerous crow's nest observation towers.
- The construction/expansion of 3 helicopter landing pads.
In October 2010, NMCB 133 received the Atlantic Fleet Best of Type Battle "E" award for its outstanding efforts during the CENTCOM deployment.
In March 2011, the battalion once again deployed to Camp Shields, Okinawa, Japan where it was involved in many projects, including the renovation of a new galley facility, the construction of a 207 square meter concrete storage building at White Beach Naval Facility, installation of concrete drainage ditches, and camp improvement projects on Camp Shields.
In September 2012, NMCB 133 deployed to Afghanistan to become the last active duty battalion to deploy to the country. During the course of this deployment, the battalion twice broke the record for the longest convoy in the Naval Construction Force's history.
Personnel from NMCB 133 plus a bulldozer arrived in Liberia from Djibouti and on 27 September 2014 began site preparation near the Monrovia airport for construction of a dozen or more hospitals to be built by the U.S. military's Operation United Assistance in response to the Ebola crisis in West Africa.[8]
Unit Awards
NMCB 133 has received several unit citations and commendations. Members who participated in actions that merited the award are authorized to wear the medal or ribbon associated with the award on their uniform. NMCB 133 has been presented the following awards:
Navy Unit Commendation Iwo Jima- Navy Unit Commendation Vietnam
Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Medal Unit Citation
Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Award
Army Superior Unit Award Bosnia
Presidential Unit Citation Iraq 
Joint Meritorious Unit Award
Navy "E" Ribbon
NMCB 133 has been the recipient of the U.S. Atlantic Fleet Naval Construction Force Best of Type Battle "E" a total of 11 times.[9] The battalion has received the Peltier Award, given to the best active duty Seabee Battalion in the Naval Construction Force, on ten occasions.[10]
List of Commanding Officers
| Commanding Officer | Period | Deployed To: | Detachments |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commander Raymond P. Murphy | Sep 1943 – Sep 1945 | Hawaii, Iwo Jima | A Co to 1st Bn 23rd Marines..,B Co. to 2nd Bn 23rd Marines.., C Co.to 3rd Bn 23rd Marines.., D Co to 4th Pioneer Bn 25th Marines |
| Lt. Commander Clarence W. Palmer | Sep 1945 – Oct 1945 | Iwo Jima | |
| Lt. George R. Imboden | Oct 1945 - Nov 1945 | Iwo Jima | |
| Lt. Thomas P. Cooke | Nov 1945 – Dec 1945 | Iwo Jima | |
| Commander Edward H. Marsh, II | Aug 1966 – Jul 1968 | 1967 Vietnam | |
| Commander Frank H. Lewis, Jr. | Jul 1968 – Nov 1969 | 1968 Vietnam | |
| " - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - " | " - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - " | 1969 Vietnam | |
| Commander J. J. Gawarkiewiez, III | Nov 1969 – Mar 1971 | 1970 Guam | Vietnam,Azores, Aleutians |
| Commander William C. Conner | Mar 1971 – Aug 1973 | 1973 Spain | Diego Garcia, Germany, Italy, Crete, Sicily, Greece, Sardinia, Kusaie Island(Seabee Team 13310) |
| Commander Leland R. Dobler | Aug 1973 – Apr 1974 | 1974 Okinawa | Subic Bay, Sasebo,Iwakuni,Taiwan,Misawa,Palau(Seabee Team 13311) |
| Lt. Commander Bruce L. McCall | Apr 1974 – Jun 1974 | 1974 Okinawa | |
| Commander Richard A. Lowery | Jun 1974 – Jul 1976 | 1975 Puerto Rico | Gitmo, Bermuda, St. Thomas U.S.Virgin Islands,Vieques Island, Yap Island(Seabee Team 13312) |
| " - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -" | " - - - - - - - - - - - - " | 1976 Diego Garcia | |
| Commander Gene Davis | Jul 1976 – Jul 1978 | 1977 Spain | Sicily, Greece, Crete |
| Commander George D. Fraunces | Jul 1978 - Oct 1979 | 1978 Puerto Rico | Gitmo, Eleuthera,Antiqua, Keflavik, Diego Garcia, Yap, Vieques Island |
| " - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - " | " - - - - - - - - - - - -" | 1979 Diego Garcia | |
| Captain Herbert H. Lewis, Jr. | Oct 1979 – Jul 1981 | 1982 Guam | Diego Garcia, Midway, Palau, Yokosuka Japan |
| Captain Dorwin C. Black | Jul 1981 – Jun 1983 | 1982 Spain | Sigonella,Nea Makri Greece,Souda bay Crete, Holy Loch Scotland |
| Captain A. A. Kannegiesser | Jun 1983 – Aug 1985 | 1983 Puerto Rico | Gitmo, Vieques Island, Bermuda, Andros Island, Yap |
| Captain Richard E. Brown | Aug 1985 – Jun 1987 | 1986 Puerto Rico | Gitmo, Andros Island, Bahamas, Vieques Island, Panama Canal Zone |
| Commander Bruce St. Peter | Jun 1987 – Aug 1989 | 1987 Okinawa | Adak, Yokusuka, Iwakuni, Yap Island |
| " - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - " | "- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - " | 1989 Spain | Bermuda,Edzell and Holy Loch Scotland, Maryland,USA.,Cartagana Spain |
| Commander Donald B. Hutchins | Aug 1989 – Sep 1991 | 1990 Guam | Midway, Palau, Philippines, Diego Garcia, Tinian, American Samoa |
| Commander Douglas F. Elznic | Sep 1991 – Jun 1993 | 1991 Spain | Sigonella, Souada Bay Crete, Edzell and Holy Loch Scotland, Maryland USA, Moron Spain,Ghana, Senegal |
| " - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -" | "- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -" | 1991 Iraq/Turkey | |
| Commander Richard J. McAfee | Jun 1993 – Apr 1995 | 1994 Guam | Diego Garcia, Chinhar Korea, San Diego USA, Palau |
| Commander Gary A. Engle | Apr 1995 – Jun 1997 | 1995 Spain | Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina,Africa, Crete, Sicily, Italy, Great Britain, Maryland USA |
| Commander Paul Bosco | Jun 1997 – Jun 1999 | 1997 Guam | San Diego CA,Lemoore CA, Fallon NV, Bangor WA, Palau, Kenya |
| "- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - " | "- - - - - - - - - - - - -" | 1998 Spain | Sicily, Crete, St. Mawgan England, Maryland USA, Bosnia-Herzegovina |
| Commander Katherine L. Gregory | Jun 1999 – Jul 2001 | 2000 Spain | Sicily, Crete, London, Maryland USA, Moldova, Tunisia |
| Commander Douglas G. Morton | Jul 2001 – Jun 2003 | 2001 Guam | Diego Garcia, Bahrain, Hawaii, Lemoore, Fallon, El Centro, Camp Pendleton |
| "- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -" | "- - - - - - - - - - - -" | 2001 Afghanistan | Gitmo |
| "- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -" | "- - - - - - - - - - - - " | 2003 SWA Iraq | Kuwait |
| Commander Jeffery T. Borowy | Jun 2003 – May 2005 | 2003 SWA Iraq | Kuwait |
| Commander Allan M. Stratman | May 2005 – May 2007 | 2005 Iraq | Guam, Whidby Island |
| Commander Paul J. Odenthal | May 2007 – June 2009 | 2008 Okinawa | Guam,Singapore, Chinhae, Yokosuka, Sasebo, Philippines, San Clemente Island,Palau |
| Commander Chris M. Kurgan | Jun 2009 – May 2011 | 2010 Afghanistan | Shindand |
| Commander Nick D. Yamodis | May 2011 – June 2013 | 2011 Okinawa | |
| " - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -" | " - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -" | 2012 Afghanistan | Liberia,Niger,Djibouti |
| Commander Jeffrey S. Powell | June 2013 – June 2015 | ||
| Commander Miguel Dieguez | June 2015 – Present | 2015 Spain | Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Cameroon, Niger, Kwajalein, Guam |
References
- ↑ Disney Studio Archives, Burbank, CA 91521
- ↑ Rainmakers Log, Commander R.P. Murphy, Leo Hart Co, Rochester, N.Y. 1946
- ↑ Appendix 1, Dog Annex 4th Marine Division Operations Report 1945, National Archives, College Park, MD 20742
- ↑ Iwo Jima Seabees Stay Unsung. Lt. Cdr. Peter S. Marra, U.S. Naval Institute: NAVAL HISTORY, February 1997 p.22-25.
- ↑ NMCB Historical Information - Naval History & Heritage Command
- ↑ NMCB 133 Historical Information - Naval History & Heritage Command
- ↑ NMCB 133 Historical Information - Naval History & Heritage Command
- ↑ Drew Hinshaw, Betsy McKay (28 September 2014). "U.S. Troops Battling Ebola Get Off to Slow Start in Africa - WSJ". Retrieved 2014-09-30.
- ↑ https://awards.navy.mil/awards/webbas01.nsf/(vwWebPage)/home.htm?OpenDocument
- ↑ http://www.same.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=260&Itemid=83
External links
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