NMCB-28

• 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. • 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. • 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. • 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. • 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. • 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. • 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. • “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. • 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. • 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.