Guam reservists deploying to Afghanistan

by Heather Hauswirth

Guam - 45 reservists with Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 18, Detachment 0918 will depart Guam next Friday for a yearlong deployment to Afghanistan. The detachment is the first unit attached to Navy Operational Support Center Guam to be deployed to Afghanistan and the unit is the first that has a majority of reservists from Guam.

Sailors head to Gulfport, Mississippi before leaving for Afghanistan to participate in standard pre–deployment training.

The NMCBs role is to provide responsive military construction in support of the Navy, Marine Corps and other forces, such as the construction of base facilities and to conduct defensive operations. NMCBs perform specialized construction as well including water–well drilling and battle damage repair on top of standard wood, steel, masonry and concrete construction.  The NMCBs are able to work and defend themselves at construction sites outside of their base camp and convoy through unsecured areas if need be.

NMCBs conduct disaster control and recovery operations, as well.

Families and supporters are invited to see the reservists off at the Guam International Airport near the Continental Airlines check–in counter on the 26th, but must arrive between  4:45–5:15AM and at the Delta Airlines check in counter between 8:15–8:45AM.