Naval Construction Force News

More than 500 people assembled in Crystal City, Va. March 9 for the annual celebration of the anniversaries of the Seabees, Civil Engineer Corps (CEC), and Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC). NAVFAC Commander and Chief of Civil Engineers Rear Adm. Kate Gregory hosted the special occasion to honor these organizations' past, present and future. This year's ball marks the 71st anniversary of the Seabees, the 146th anniversary of the Civil Engineer Corps, and the 171st anniversary of NAVFAC, which was established in 1842 as the Bureau of Navy Yards and Docks.

By Daryl C. NORFOLK (NNS) -- The Naval Construction Force will soon have a new, 21st century convoy training simulator to augment current training for Seabees. Lockheed Martin was recently awarded a contract that includes a state-of-the-art $5 million combat convoy simulator (CCS) expected to be delivered to Construction Battalion Center (CBC), Gulfport, Miss., in September 2008. The trainer is part of a $52.5 million contract providing convoy simulators to the Marine Corps. The system consists of six vehicle simulators, four high-mobility multipurpose wheeled vehicles and two medium tactical vehicle replacements, that will be programmed with a variety of training scenarios and scenery projected onto a 360-degree screen.

WASHINGTON (NNS) -- Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Mike Mullen told lawmakers Feb. 13 that the Navy’s proposed $8.9 billion Emergency Wartime Supplemental request for fiscal year 2007 (FY07) will help the service reset and equip the force while staying ahead of the demands of current combat operations. “The Navy is doing its part in this long war, Mr. Chairman,” said Mullen in testimony to members of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense. “I am proud of that. Our Sailors are proud of that. But the work is taking a toll on our equipment, our platforms, and yes, our people. He told committee members the Navy’s emergency supplemental request will help keep readiness high…