About this Unit
Naval Mobile Construction Battalion SIX (MCB-6), also known as "Seabees," was first commissioned during World War II in 1942. The unit played a vital role in constructing airfields, bases, and other critical infrastructure across the Pacific theater, supporting Allied operations from Guadalcanal to Okinawa. Reactivated for later conflicts, MCB-6 served with distinction during the Korean and Vietnam Wars, providing essential engineering and combat support in challenging environments. Over the decades, the battalion has continued to uphold its motto, "We Build, We Fight," participating in humanitarian missions and disaster relief efforts worldwide.
Historical Facts
•
Founding and Early Years: Mobile Construction Battalion SIX (MCB-6), also known as “Seabees,” was originally commissioned on 1 May 1942 during World War II, making it one of the earliest Seabee units.
•
World War II Service: MCB-6 played a crucial role in constructing airfields, roads, and bases in the Pacific Theater, supporting American advances against Japanese-held islands.
•
Operation Bobcat: MCB-6 was part of the legendary “Operation Bobcat,” which established a critical naval base in Bora Bora, French Polynesia, in 1942.
•
Combat Action and Decorations: Members of MCB-6 have earned multiple unit commendations and awards for their actions in both combat and humanitarian operations.
•
Korean War Contributions: Reactivated for the Korean War, MCB-6 provided vital construction and repair services for United Nations forces on the Korean Peninsula.
•
Vietnam War Deployments: During the Vietnam War, MCB-6 built and maintained bases, airfields, and infrastructure, often under enemy fire, earning them the nickname “Can Do Seabees.”
•
Disaster Relief Missions: MCB-6 has a long history of humanitarian and disaster relief efforts, including rebuilding after hurricanes and typhoons in the Caribbean and Pacific regions.
•
Cold War and Beyond: Throughout the Cold War, MCB-6 supported U.S. Navy operations worldwide, including NATO exercises and strategic construction projects.
•
Innovative Engineering: The battalion is known for innovative field engineering, including the rapid construction of airstrips and bridges in challenging environments.
•
Symbolism and Legacy: MCB-6’s mascot, the “Fighting Bee,” and motto “We Build, We Fight,” symbolize the dual construction and combat mission of the Seabees, a legacy carried on by MCB-6 throughout its history.
