About this Unit
Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 14 (NMCB 14), known as the "Seabees," is a reserve unit of the United States Navy’s Naval Construction Force. Established during World War II, NMCB 14 contributed to the construction of airfields, bases, and infrastructure in both the Pacific and Atlantic theaters. Over the decades, the battalion has supported a wide range of missions, including humanitarian assistance, disaster response, and combat operations in locations such as Iraq and Afghanistan. NMCB 14 continues to provide vital construction and engineering support to naval and joint forces worldwide.
Historical Facts
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World War II Origins: Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 14 (NMCB 14) traces its roots back to World War II, when it was first commissioned in 1942 as part of the original Seabees units tasked with building and maintaining critical infrastructure in war zones.
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Pacific Theater Service: During WWII, NMCB 14 served in the Pacific Theater, supporting operations by constructing airfields and bases on islands such as Guadalcanal and Okinawa, often under enemy fire.
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Nickname “The Jungleers”: The battalion earned the nickname "The Jungleers" for their extensive work in harsh, jungle environments during the Pacific campaigns.
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Deactivation and Reactivation: After the war, NMCB 14 was decommissioned but was later reactivated during the Cold War era due to the need for skilled construction units in global hotspots.
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Reserve Component: NMCB 14 is a Naval Reserve unit, composed primarily of Reserve Seabees, making it unique compared to many active duty battalions. Its members balance civilian careers with military service.
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Hurricane Katrina Response: In 2005, NMCB 14 played a vital role in disaster recovery efforts after Hurricane Katrina, clearing debris, restoring infrastructure, and providing humanitarian assistance in the Gulf Coast region.
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Global Deployments: Over the decades, NMCB 14 has deployed to countries worldwide, including Iraq, Afghanistan, Guam, and Cuba, supporting both combat operations and humanitarian missions.
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Historical Firsts: NMCB 14 was one of the first reserve battalions to deploy to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, demonstrating the capabilities and value of Navy Reserve units in modern conflicts.
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Community Projects: The battalion is well-known for its contributions to local communities, often assisting with construction projects for schools, parks, and veterans’ organizations throughout the United States.
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Seabee Motto: Embodying the Seabee motto “Can Do!”, NMCB 14 has a proud history of overcoming challenging environments and missions, earning a reputation for resilience, ingenuity, and teamwork.
