NECC

Bring your earplugs

By Bill McMichael on April 7, 2011 C-5 Galaxy, Combat support, Construction, Logistics, Naval Expeditionary Logistics Center, Navy, NECC, Seabees

Maybe it’s a guy thing. But I, for one, would like to see the Navy’s new Expeditionary Rock Crusher in action. Look at this bad boy! The crusher/rock impactor and plant together weigh approximately 119,300 lbs., which is child’s play for a C-5 Galaxy. It fits, as you can see. And now, it’s certified to be loaded and shipped anywhere Seabees operate. Seabees can build anything, but one thing they build a lot of is roads and airstrips for the Navy and Marines. That’s where the ERC comes in. “The Expeditionary Rock crusher bridges the gap between war debris or…

Va. Beach NECC unit nabs Sloan Award

By Bill McMichael on February 4, 2011 Awards, Diving, EOD, Mobile Diving and Salvage, Navy, NECC, The greenside

The top 20 percent. That’s where Explosive Ordnance Disposal Training and Evaluation Unit 2 now finds itself in terms of public AND private employers in terms of programs, policies and culture for creating an effective and flexible workplace. EODTEU 2, located in Virginia Beach, Va., received the 2010 Alfred P. Sloan Award for Business Excellence in Workplace Flexibility from Rear Adm. Michael Tillotson, the commander of Navy Expeditionary Combat Command, during an awards ceremony Feb. 4. “It’s fantastic to be recognized,” said Lt. Cmdr. Oliver Herion, the executive officer of EODTEU 2. “Our team at all levels, officer, enlisted and…

EOD on the front lines

By Gidget Fuentes on July 23, 2010 EOD, Navy, NECC

On any given day, the Navy’s EOD sailors are deployed in just about every geographical command – and it’s not just Iraq or Afghanistan where explosive ordnance disposal technicians are putting their expertise to save lives and limbs. This week, one-quarter of the nearly-2,600 member EOD force is deployed, according to Navy Expeditionary Combatant Command, with EOD mobile and naval mobile diving and salvage units teams and platoons operating in Southern, Central, European, Africa and Pacific commands. EOD sailors also are participating in the biennial “Rim of the Pacific” exercises off Hawaii, joining in maritime security operations, disarming underwater mines…

As hard core as they come

By Lance Bacon on June 17, 2010 leadership, Morale, NECC, Officers

Meet Lt. John Pucillo. This EOD leader lost his left leg above the knee when an IED exploded outside his vehicle in May 2006, in Baghdad. But he didn’t let that hold him back. Pucillo endured nine grueling months of rehab at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, then returned to active EOD service. He made the U.S. Paralympics Sailing National Team and earned his master’s degree in national security and strategic studies from the Naval War College in Newport, R.I. Now, the Bronze Star recipient has added another decoration to crown his fruit salad: Jump wings.

Seven in Seven

By Lance Bacon on May 7, 2010 Carriers, Congress, Foreign navies, leadership, Life at Sea, Maritime operations, Naval Academy, Navy, NECC, Officers, Sea Air Space, SEALs, Ships, Submarines, The Middle East, Washington

Defense Secretary Robert Gates dropped the bomb of the week. In his first invitation to the Navy League’s Sea-Air-Space symposium, Gates suggested a need for cutting carriers, sinking SSBN(X) and eliminating Expeditionary Fighting Vehicles. You can read Gates’ speech here, and find out how this affects you in Monday’s edition of Navy Times. Speaking of amphibious operations, the personnel bubbas in Millington are starting to dry out. Two days of rain dumped more than 14 inches in the area. A levee couldn’t hold the water back and the base was flooded. This delayed one promotion board and threw many administrative matters into…

Seven in Seven

By Lance Bacon on April 22, 2010 Aviation, Carriers, Congress, Environment, Foreign navies, Maritime operations, Military Sealift Command, Navy, NECC, ordnance, Recruiting, SEALs, Ships, Submarines, The deckplates, The greenside, The Middle East, The Pacific, Washington

The Navy nabbed a lot of headlines again this week. Leading the way is news that the Green Hornet on Thursday took to flight – the fighter jet, not the super hero. The F/A-18E/F Super Hornet was powered by a 50/50 blend of biofuel and JP-5. That same day, a U.S. military jury cleared a Navy SEAL of failing to prevent the beating of an Iraqi prisoner suspected of masterminding a 2004 attack that killed four American security contractors. Two others will soon have their day in court. And on Wednesday, the Navy implemented its first change in 17 years to…

Seven in Seven

By Lance Bacon on April 9, 2010 Aviation, Carriers, Life at Sea, Maritime operations, Navy, NECC, Pirates, Science and technology, Seabees, Ships, The greenside

The Navy kicked off the month by kicking pirate butt in three foiled attacks. The stories that nabbed most other headlines this week included the Nuclear Posture Review, which was all the talk in the beltway; F-35 training, which continues despite problems getting the jets; the Fire Scout, which scored its first drug bust; the smoking ban on subs and the Navy’s decision to restrict the wear of ball caps and coveralls. Here’s seven stories in seven minutes from the past seven days that you may not have seen, but are worthy of notice:

Iraqis headed to Cajun Country

By Lance Bacon on April 7, 2010 Foreign navies, Maritime operations, Navy, NECC

The good people of Morgan City, La., will be hearing a lot of “Who Dat?” in the coming weeks, as dozens of Iraqi naval sailors arrive later this month to learn to operate their new patrol boats. They’ll miss Mardi Gras, but son of a gun, they’ll have big fun on the bayou! The first Iraqi Swift Boat PB 301 made its first machinery runs last week. Manufactured by Swiftships Shipbuilders LLC, the 35-foot Swift Boat achieved an average speed in excess of 34 knots (39 mph) at 84 percent installed power. The boats also have six 30mm gun weapons systems, machine gun…

Just Call it 'Can-Do Kung Fu'

By Lance Bacon on March 31, 2010 Navy, NECC, Seabees, The greenside, The Middle East

The Seabees of Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 74 can really pack a punch. When they catch a break from ops in the Helmand Province of Afghanistan, they focus on hand-to-hand and close-quarters combat techniques taught in the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program. Two Seabees endured three months of gruelling, accelerated training to become instructors. One is EA2 Erik Kennerson, who wants to award at least 18 tan belts before rotating this summer. You can read about their efforts here. The tan belt requires two hours of training a day, four days a week. Students learn punches, throws, chokes, weapons of opportunity…

Happy Birthday, Seabees!

By Lance Bacon on March 5, 2010 Historical, Navy, NECC, Seabees

Today we celebrate the 68th birthday of the “Can-Do” construction battalions. Happy birthyday to all the brave men and women who have been a part of this honorable heritage. Did you know: The earliest Seabees were recruited from the civilian construction trades. Because of the emphasis on experience and skill rather than on physical standards, the average age of WW II Seabees was 37. More than 325,00 men served with the Seabees in WW II on six continents and more than 300 islands. Between 1949 and 1953, Naval Construction Battalions were organized into two types of units: Amphibious Construction Battalions and…

Browsing: NECC