Construction Battalion Units (CBUs) are separate activities of the Naval Shore Establishment and are components of the Naval Construction Force. The CBU mission is to be prepared to mobilize either as contingency augment for active NMCBs or as Fleet Hospital public works support units; to conduct individual military and technical skill training essential to maintain the required readiness posture; and to perform construction assignments or other such functions as may be directed to further that intent.

CONSTRUCTION BATTALION MAINTENANCE UNITS (CBMUs)

The Construction Battalion Maintenance Units (CBMUs) operate, maintain, and repair public works and utilities at an already established advance base or at a recently constructed base after the departure of the NMCB or NMCBs that built it. In addition, the CBMU maintains security against unfriendly acts and is capable of conducting its own defenses. The CBMU also provides limited construction support for the base, for civic action programs, and for self-help projects. It also participates in disaster recovery operations.

Functions usually performed by a CBMU are maintenance, repair, and minor construction of buildings and grounds, existing roads within the base, and waterfront and airfield facilities. The CBMU operates and maintains automotive, construction, weight-handling, and materials-handling equipment, except for equipment assigned to combat units.

AMPHIBIOUS CONSTRUCTION BATTALIONS (PHIBCBs)

The Amphibious Construction Battalions (PHIBCBs) are commissioned naval units whose main function is to provide military and amphibious construction support to the armed forces in military operations. In addition to providing the means for moving troops and equipment from ship to shore, the PHIBCB may

1. install and operate tanker-to-shore bulk fuel delivery systems;

2. develop and improve beach facilities;

3. undertake special construction projects, especially those requiring surf, open sea, and heavy rigging experience, including work with pontoons and other floating equipment.

In some instances, there may be Underwater Demolition Team (UDT) personnel working to remove underwater obstacles that may jeopardize landing operations.

The PHIBCB is organized administratively into a headquarters company, an equipment company, two waterfront companies, and a single construction company. The size and composition of a PHIBCB is based on providing support for landing a reinforced infantry division over four battalion-size beaches, normally considered to be 4400 meters wide. The PHIBCB is not intended for prolonged use in the field and is finished when the mission of the naval beach group is accomplished. This group assists the landing force in ship-to-shore movement by providing a uniform flow of material and services required by the landing force. To carry out this task, the PHIBCB provides causeway piers, barge units, fuel systems, and construction in support of the landing party. At present there are two PHIBCBs: Amphibious Construction Battalion ONE, operating from Coronado, California, and Amphibious Construction Battalion TWO, operating from Little Creek, Virginia.

UNDERWATER CONSTRUCTION TEAMS (UCTs)

The Underwater Construction Teams (UCTs) are specially trained units that construct, maintain, and repair underwater facilities. Each UCT is capable of performing underwater construction tasks and surveying the sea bottom to select the site for an underwater facility.

The two UCTs are assigned to the 31st NCR and the Third Naval Construction Brigade, home ported at Naval Construction Battalion Center (NCBC), Port Hueneme, California, and Naval Amphibious Base, Little Creek Virginia, respectively.