About this Unit
Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 28 (NMCB-28), known as the "Badgers," is a United States Navy Reserve Seabee battalion established in 1942 during World War II. The unit originally served in the Pacific Theater, constructing airfields, roads, and support facilities critical to Allied operations. Reactivated during the Cold War, NMCB-28 has since participated in numerous military and humanitarian construction missions worldwide, including deployments to the Middle East, Europe, and disaster relief operations at home and abroad. Today, NMCB-28 continues to provide vital construction support to Navy and joint-force missions, embodying the Seabee motto, "We Build, We Fight."
Historical Facts
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World War II Origins: NMCB-28, originally known as the 28th Naval Construction Battalion, was commissioned on September 10, 1942, as part of the legendary “Seabees,” providing crucial construction support throughout WWII.
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Pacific Theater Service: During WWII, the battalion served in the Pacific, building airfields, roads, and supply depots in locations such as New Caledonia, the Solomon Islands, and the Philippines.
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Deactivation and Rebirth: The battalion was decommissioned after WWII and later recommissioned as Naval Mobile Construction Battalion TWENTY-EIGHT (NMCB-28) in the Navy Reserve in 1962, reflecting the Cold War need for reserve construction forces.
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Vietnam War Support: While not directly deployed to Vietnam as a unit, NMCB-28 provided trained reservists and augmentation to active Seabee battalions during the Vietnam War.
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Gulf War Activation: NMCB-28 was among the first reserve Seabee battalions activated for Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm in 1990-91, supporting construction and logistics in the Middle East.
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Post-9/11 Deployments: The battalion has been repeatedly mobilized for Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, deploying to Iraq, Afghanistan, and Kuwait in support of combat operations and base construction.
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Hurricane Katrina Response: In 2005, NMCB-28 played a vital role in disaster relief after Hurricane Katrina, constructing shelters, repairing critical infrastructure, and providing humanitarian aid in Louisiana and Mississippi.
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“The Axemen” Nickname: NMCB-28 is known as “The Axemen,” a moniker reflecting their can-do spirit and reputation for tackling the toughest construction projects.
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Global Reach: Members of NMCB-28 have participated in Joint and Combined exercises across the world, including in Europe, Africa, and South America, building schools, clinics, and water infrastructure for partner nations.
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Seabee Heritage: NMCB-28 maintains the proud traditions of the Seabees—“We Build, We Fight”—combining combat readiness with technical expertise in construction, engineering, and disaster response.
