Navy photograph by PO1 Chris FaheyConstruction Mechanic 3rd Class Christopher Sanford and Construction Mechanic 3rd Class Alex Miley, both assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 3, shoot three-round bursts from an M240B machine gun during a weapons qualifications and familiarization exercise held at Camp Roberts. Approximately 400 Seabees from NMCB 3 received training on the M240B and Mk2 .50-caliber machine guns, the Mk19 and M203 grenade launchers, and the AT4 rocket launcher in preparation for a deployment scheduled later this year. NMCB 3 provides combatant commanders and Navy component commanders with combat-ready warfighters capable of general engineering, construction and limited combat engineering across the full range of military operations.
PASO ROBLES, Calif. – Seabees from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 3 completed a vital step in deployment preparation, Jan. 30, after qualifying on five different combat weapons systems.
Navy photograph by PO1 Chris FaheySeabees from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 3 shoot three-round bursts from an M240B machine gun during a weapons qualifications and familiarization exercise held at Camp Roberts. Approximately 400 Seabees from NMCB 3 received training on the M240B and Mk2 .50-caliber machine guns, the Mk19 and M203 grenade launchers, and the AT4 rocket launcher in preparation for a deployment scheduled later this year. NMCB 3 provides combatant commanders and Navy component commanders with combat-ready warfighters capable of general engineering, construction and limited combat engineering across the full range of military operations.
According to Chief Warrant Officer 2 Richard Anglin, the training event’s officer in charge, participants safely operated the M240B and Mk2 .50 cal. machine guns; the Mk19 and M203 grenade launchers and the AT4 rocket launcher.
“When deployed, we are responsible to provide our own security – our Army and Marine Corps counterparts rely on that ability and don’t see us as an element needing their defense,” said Anglin. “These weapons are part of the defensive layers we use to protect ourselves. They are a critical skillset, and I’m seeing a lot of great effort by our Seabees.”
The weapons allow Seabees to engage enemy combatants at greater distances and in larger quantities than the standard issue M4 or M16 semi-automatic weapons. Each of the M240B and Mk2 .50 cal. machine guns has a maximum effective range of up to 1,800 meters.
The Mk19 grenade launcher can engage pockets of enemies at 2,212 meters with a blast radius of 15 meters.
In contrast to Mk19, which is mounted on a tripod, the M203 is a personnel-carried grenade launcher that fits underneath either the M4 or M16. It carries a maximum effective range of 350 meters with the same blast radius as the Mk19.
Unlike any of the machine guns or grenade launchers, the anti-tank AT4 is a hand-carried rocket launcher with a maximum effective range equal to the M203 but can penetrate heavily armored vehicles and boasts a 65 meter blast radius.
Navy photograph by PO1 Chris FaheySeabees from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 3 fire the AT4 anti-tank rocket during a weapons qualification and familiarization exercise held at Camp Roberts. Approximately 400 Seabees from NMCB 3 received training on the M240B and Mk2 .50-caliber machine guns, the Mk19 and M203 grenade launchers, and the AT4 rocket launcher in preparation for a deployment scheduled later this year. NMCB 3 provides combatant commanders and Navy component commanders with combat-ready warfighters capable of general engineering, construction and limited combat engineering across the full range of military operations.
“It has a really big boom!” said Builder Seaman (SCW) Michael Dorsey, one of nearly 400 Seabess who participated. “You can feel the force thump your chest and see a good sized mushroom cloud upon contact … It’s nice!”
The weapons familiarization and qualifications event is a critical step in preparing to deploy. Following completion, NMCB 3 will participate in a graded field training exercise (FTX) that determines whether or not they are ready to put boots on ground. Ensuring the Seabees are confident and ready before the exercise, places NMCB 3 in the best possible position to succeed.
“When I’m gearing up to take charge of whichever weapon I’m assigned to operate, I feel ready – more than ready,” said Equipment Operator 3rd Class (SCW) Izzy Hidalgo. “I know I can help my fellow Seabee if we take fire, and I feel completely secure that the person next to me has the same knowledge. Thanks to this training, I feel 100 percent confident that we are all capable warfighters, and I know we will smoke FTX.”
NMCB 3 provides combatant commanders and Navy component commanders with combat-ready war fighters capable of general engineering, construction and limited combat engineering across the full range of military operations.
