United States Naval Construction Force

United States Naval Construction Force
Unit name	Naval Construction Force
Caption	The Seabee insignia, featuring a bee and the motto "We Build, We Fight."
Dates	1942–present
Country	United States
Branch	United States United States Navy
Role	Construction, Combat Support
Size	Approximately 14,000 personnel
Garrison	Naval Base Ventura County, Port Hueneme, California
Nickname	Seabees
Motto	"We Build, We Fight"
Battles	World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War, Gulf War, War in Afghanistan, Iraq War
Current commander	Commander, Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command

United States Naval Construction Force. Commonly known as the Seabees, it is the military engineering and construction arm of the United States Navy. Established in 1942 during World War II, the force is renowned for its ability to rapidly build advanced bases, airfields, and port facilities under combat conditions. Its personnel, trained as both skilled craftsmen and combat-ready sailors, operate under the motto "We Build, We Fight," serving in every major conflict and humanitarian operation involving the United States Armed Forces.

History

The Seabees were formally established on March 5, 1942, by order of Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Harold R. Stark, in response to the urgent need for military construction following the attack on Pearl Harbor. Their creation was heavily influenced by the experiences of civilian construction workers in the Pacific Theater of Operations, who were unable to defend themselves during the Battle of Wake Island. Under the leadership of Rear Admiral Ben Moreell, the first Civil Engineer Corps officer to become a flag officer, the force quickly grew, recruiting skilled workers from the United States civilian labor force. During World War II, they constructed vital facilities across the Pacific Ocean, including on Guadalcanal, Tarawa, and Okinawa, and supported the Allied invasion of Normandy in the European Theater. Their legacy continued through the Korean War, where they built the Kimpo Air Base, and the Vietnam War, constructing the Chu Lai Air Base and the Da Nang Air Base. In later decades, they provided critical infrastructure during Operation Desert Storm, the Global War on Terrorism, and numerous humanitarian aid missions following natural disasters.

Organization

The Naval Construction Force is organized under the Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command (NAVFAC), commanded by a Rear Admiral from the Civil Engineer Corps. Its primary operational components are the Naval Construction Regiments (NCR), which provide command and control for subordinate units. The main tactical units are the Naval Construction Battalions (CBs), commonly called "Seabee Battalions," which are further divided into companies. Specialized units include the Naval Mobile Construction Battalions (NMCBs) for rapid deployment, the Underwater Construction Teams (UCTs) for underwater construction and repair, and the Naval Construction Force Support Units for technical support. Key operational and training commands are headquartered at the Naval Construction Battalion Center in Gulfport, Mississippi, and the Naval Base Ventura County in Port Hueneme, California.

Training

All Seabees undergo initial basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, followed by "A" School technical training at the Naval Construction Training Center (NCTC) in Gulfport, Mississippi, or Port Hueneme, California. They are trained in specific construction trades such as steelworker, equipment operator, builder, and utilitiesman. Advanced combat training is conducted at the Expeditionary Combat Skills (ECS) course, which includes instruction in small arms, land navigation, and field fortifications. Officers, primarily from the Civil Engineer Corps, receive their commissions through Naval Academy, NROTC, or Officer Candidate School and undergo further training at the Civil Engineer Corps Officers School (CECOS).

Equipment

The force utilizes a wide array of specialized engineering and construction equipment to execute its global missions. This includes heavy earth-moving machinery like Caterpillar D7 and Caterpillar D9 bulldozers, excavators, and motor graders. For mobility and logistics, they employ the High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV) and the Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacement (MTVR) truck. They are also equipped with tactical bridging systems, portable airfield matting, and modular causeway systems like the Improved Navy Lighterage System (INLS). For power generation, they use tactical electrical generators and water purification units to support expeditionary bases.

Operations

Seabee operations span combat construction, humanitarian assistance, and disaster recovery across the globe. In combat zones, they have built forward operating bases, runways, and logistics facilities during the Iraq War and the War in Afghanistan. A hallmark of their humanitarian work is through exercises like Pacific Partnership and African Partnership Station, where they conduct construction projects for local communities. They are routinely deployed for disaster relief, such as rebuilding efforts after Hurricane Katrina, the 2010 Haiti earthquake, and Typhoon Yolanda in the Philippines. Their rapid deployment capability is a key component of the United States expeditionary warfare doctrine.

Notable units and personnel

Notable units include the storied Naval Construction Battalion 4, which served with distinction on Iwo Jima, and Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 133, the first Seabee battalion deployed to Vietnam. The first African-American Seabee unit was Naval Construction Battalion 80, commissioned in 1942. Among the most celebrated individuals is Rear Admiral Ben Moreell, the "Father of the Seabees." Construction Mechanic 3rd Class Marvin G. Shields was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for heroism during the Battle of Đồng Xoài, the only Seabee to receive the nation's highest award. Admiral Elmo R. Zumwalt Jr., while not a Seabee, served as a strong advocate for the force during his tenure as Chief of Naval Operations.

Category:United States Navy Category:Combat engineering Category:Construction and civil engineering organizations