FORT HUNTER LIGGETT, Ca. - Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 3's Charlie Company led the way May 1 during this year's field training exercise (FTX), including multiple evolutions tasked by the 31st Seabee Readiness Group (SRG).

Charlie Company's advanced party (AP) moved forward to begin the setup of the Logistical Support Area (LSA) King Cobra eight days before the exercise kicked off. This included the entrenchment of 11 permanent fighting positions, 25 tents for berthing and work spaces and the establishment of defensive lines by placing more than 300 meters of concertina wire.

"I was really impressed by the hard work of the junior troops as they came together to set up camp as fast as possible," said Builder 2nd Class William Mound.

NMCB 3's main body joined the AP at a completely functional, well defended camp, ready to kick off Operation Bearing Duel 2009. Charlie Company started off strong on D Day, the official start of the exercise, as they manned their lines and conducted their first squad-size reconnaissance patrol.

"Everything seemed more realistic when we painted our faces and made gillie suits," said Builder Constructionman Recruit Michael Connor who served as point man on many of the patrols during this, his first, FTX. "It was awesome!"

Two days after the commencement of FTX, Charlie Company sent 66 troops to Joint Forward Operating Base (JFOB) Anaconda. Charlie Company Seabees worked 16- to 20- hour days maintaining and manning 17 pits and continuously improving the defensive posture among other tasks. Charlie Company constantly faced simulated chemical attacks and intruders in camp. In the mean time, the NMCB 3 Bridge Platoon, made up primarily of Charlie Company personnel, successfully adapted to new tasking of providing security for Alfa Company's water well project, with very little advanced warning.

"It was a good opportunity to exercise the flexibility of a pre-existing organization and demonstrate our ability to adapt to emergent dynamic tasking, just like we would in a real-world deployment," said Lt. j.g. John Casilio. "Our successful ability to support and defend a critical NMCB 3 water well project proved once again that our battalion continues to deliver tremendous contingency engineering capability every time."

After more than a week at LSA King Cobra, the remnants of NMCB 3's main body received the orders to relocate to and establish JFOB Python.

"Everybody was tired; our personnel were stretched thin, and our only hope was to ask the remaining Charlie Company personnel to work even harder," said Lt. Dan Schmitt, Charlie Company commander. "The troops did that and more, remained vigilant, motivated and focused and blew even the highest expectations out of the water. I'm very proud of the example my troops set."

The final mission for Charlie Company was retrograde, the task of breaking down the camp and preparing supplies and equipment for movement. From start to finish NMCB 3's Charlie Company did what Seabees have been famous for since 1942: quality, expedient construction and aggressive, professional defensive operations.