About this Unit
Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 27 (NMCB-27), known as the "Skibees," is a unit of the United States Navy Seabees. Originally commissioned in 1942 during World War II, NMCB-27 supported critical construction operations in the Pacific Theater, building airfields, bases, and infrastructure. The battalion was decommissioned after the war but reactivated in the 1960s as a reserve unit, continuing to provide construction and engineering support during peacetime and contingency operations. Over the years, NMCB-27 has participated in various missions worldwide, including deployments in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom, demonstrating versatility and resilience in both combat and humanitarian environments.
Historical Facts
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Seabee Heritage: NMCB-27 is part of the U.S. Navy Seabees, the Naval Construction Battalions renowned for their "Can Do" spirit, building bases, airfields, and infrastructure in combat and disaster zones since WWII.
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Reserve Unit: NMCB-27 is a Reserve Naval Construction Battalion, meaning its members are primarily citizen-Sailors who train part-time and deploy as needed.
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World War II Roots: The original 27th Naval Construction Battalion was commissioned in 1942 and served in the Pacific Theater, including the Solomon Islands and the Philippines.
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Reactivation: The "new" NMCB-27 was re-established in 1968 as a Reserve unit, continuing the traditions and honors of the original WWII battalion.
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Nickname - "Skibees": NMCB-27 is known as the "Skibees," a play on "Seabees" reflecting the unit's original New England roots and cold-weather training.
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Global Deployments: Since its reactivation, NMCB-27 has deployed to various locations worldwide, including Iraq, Afghanistan, Okinawa, Guam, and the Horn of Africa, supporting both combat and humanitarian operations.
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Disaster Response: NMCB-27 has participated in domestic disaster relief, including response to Hurricane Katrina in 2005, providing engineering support and infrastructure repair.
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Engineering Excellence: The battalion specializes in a wide range of construction skills, including airfield repair, bridge building, camp construction, and utility installation under demanding conditions.
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Recognition: NMCB-27 has earned multiple awards, including the Battle "E" (Efficiency) Award, recognizing its superior performance among Seabee units.
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Community Engagement: The "Skibees" are known for their volunteer work in local communities, such as building homes for veterans, improving schools, and supporting civic projects during drill weekends.
