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NMCB 3 crane team saves taxpayers $40K, makes light work of heavy lift

  • Published
  • By Petty Officer 1st Class Chris Fahey
  • Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 3
KADENA AIR BASE, Japan --  Seabees from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 3's crane crew saved taxpayers an estimated $40,000 Nov. 21 after using a mobile 40-ton hydraulic crane to replace a 6,000 pound transformer for Kadena Air Base, Japan.

Kadena's 18th Civil Engineer Squadron tapped the Seabees for help after realizing they didn't have the required capabilities to replace the failing transformer that provided critical power to specific areas of the base.

The Seabees' ability to quickly respond to the request prevented Kadena officials from having to contract the job to civilian crane operators, thereby saving taxpayers from picking up the bill.

The five Seabees assigned to the crane team performed a total of four lifts during a 24-hour operating window.

"My team is the best-of-the-best," said Equipment Operator 1st Class Manuel Figueroa, NMCB 3 crane crew supervisor. "We've trained to a point where we've set a new benchmark in our ability to safely conduct heavy lifts. This capability has made us a sought after asset to the local units here in Okinawa, and we are more than happy to lend a hand."

The team's mobile hydraulic crane has a total lift capacity of 80,000 pounds and can be driven nearly anywhere throughout Okinawa.
According to Figueroa, his crew's performance relies heavily on their patience and meticulous nature.

'You can't rush a heavy lift," he said. "Every inch of the move is dangerous. Our attention to detail and patience keeps us from making mistakes. When you are moving thousands of pounds, even the smallest mistake could result in either sever injury or massive damage."

NMCB 3's main body is deployed to Okinawa with nine details performing critical construction projects in remote island areas such as Timor-Leste, Tonga, Cambodia and the Philippines. The teams are also conducting operations in Atsugi and Yokosuka, Japan; Chinhae, Republic of Korea and China Lake, Calif.

The Naval Construction Force is a vital component of the U.S. Maritime Strategy. They provide deployable battalions capable of providing disaster preparation and recovery support, humanitarian assistance and combat operations support.