Navy Expeditionary Logistics Support Group

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Navy Expeditionary Logistics Support Group
NAVELSGLogoWeb.jpg
Active1993 – present
AllegianceFlag of the United States.svg United States of America
Branch United States Department of the Navy Seal.svg United States Navy
TypeNavy Expeditionary Combat Force
RoleRapid response logistics
Size2,900
Garrison/HQ Naval Weapons Station Yorktown, Cheatham Annex
Nickname(s)"Combat Stevedores"
Motto(s)Keep The Hook Moving
Mascot(s) Octopus
Commanders
Commander, NAVELSGRDML Dennis Collins [1]

The Navy Expeditionary Logistics Support Group (NAVELSG) is a United States Navy echelon IV component of Navy Expeditionary Combat Command, delivering logistics capabilities with active and mobilization-ready Reserve Force personnel and equipment to theater commanders.

Contents

Mission

Navy Expeditionary Logistics Support Group (NAVELSG) is an enabler of Maritime Prepositioning Forces (MPF), Joint Logistics Over-the-Shore (JLOTS) operations, and maritime forces ashore, providing expeditionary cargo handling services for surface, air, and terminal operations, tactical fueling, and ordnance handling/reporting in support of worldwide Naval, Joint, inter-agency, and combined forces/organization.

NAVELSG is responsible for providing expeditionary logistic capabilities for the Navy, primarily within the maritime domain of the littorals, and conducts surface and air cargo handling missions, cargo terminal and warehouse operations, fuels distribution, postal services, customs inspections, ordnance reporting and handling, and expeditionary communications.

NAVELSG is an "Operational Reserve" command organized and staffed to provide a wide range of supply and transportation support critical for peacetime support, crisis response, humanitarian and combat service support missions.

History

WWII and Establishment of "Special Naval Construction Battalions"

Stevedore training at the Seabee's training center Camp Allen, VA in 1943. Stevedore training on the mock ship at Camp Allen, 1943.jpg
Stevedore training at the Seabee's training center Camp Allen, VA in 1943.

The U.S. Navy's first "Combat Stevedores" were the 41 "Special" Naval Construction Battalions, created during WWII. [2] Their primary function was stevedoring in active theaters of war. The men received the standard mix of Navy/Marine Corps training that Seabees received, after which they went through stevedore schools with complete mock ships built on dry land at the Seabee training centers. 15 of the original battalions were segregated units; by 1945 they were among the Navy's first integrated units. The downsizing at the end of the war brought about the decommissioning of all 41 battalions.

"17th Special" Seabees with the 7th Marines on Peleliu made national news in an official U.S. Navy press release. "Group of CBs acting as stretcher bearers for the 7th Marines. Peleliu.", 09-1944 - NARA - 532537.jpg
"17th Special" Seabees with the 7th Marines on Peleliu made national news in an official U.S. Navy press release.

The Special Battalions saw combat in the Pacific War. Of note were the actions of the 17th Special (segregated) at Peleliu 15-18 Sept 1944. The Japanese mounted a counter-attack 0200 D-day nite. By the time it was over, nearly the entire 17th had volunteered to carry ammunition to the front lines, bring wounded back, fill where needed on the line and man weapons which had lost their crews. The 17th Special remained with the 7th Marines until the right flank had been secured D-plus3. [4] [5] [6] [7] [8]

Re-establishment and Cold War

Navy Cargo Handling Battalion ONE (NCHB 1) was commissioned 1 October 1949 and was organized after the Special Construction Battalions of World War II. [9] In 1956 the battalion was an element of Operation Deep Freeze and has deployed to Antarctica numerous times in the years since. [9]

Sailors from NCHB-1 and NCHB-10 move cargo as part of the annual resupply mission at McMurdo Station, Antarctica to support Operation Deep Freeze 2012. The National Science Foundation relies on the Navy cargo handlers from Navy Expeditionary Logistics Support Group to ensure delivery of supplies to both McMurdo and South Pole Stations. 120223-N-NT795-998.jpg
Sailors from NCHB-1 and NCHB-10 move cargo as part of the annual resupply mission at McMurdo Station, Antarctica to support Operation Deep Freeze 2012. The National Science Foundation relies on the Navy cargo handlers from Navy Expeditionary Logistics Support Group to ensure delivery of supplies to both McMurdo and South Pole Stations.

In 1965, the Cargo Handling Battalions were deployed to augment Task Group 76.4 in the discharge of ships' cargo for I Corps (South Vietnam) of the III Marine Amphibious Force". [10]

Post-Cold War

NCHB-1 in Iraq. NCHB-1 is currently the only active duty NCHB. NCHB-1.jpg
NCHB-1 in Iraq. NCHB-1 is currently the only active duty NCHB.

More recently, the lessons learned from Operation Desert Storm identified a requirement for a single, multi-functional organization able to provide flexible, deployable transportation and supply support logistics services in any area of the world. Established in 1993, the Naval Expeditionary Logistics Support Group (NAVELSG) was built upon the foundation of the Navy Cargo Handling Force (NCHF). The NCHF originated in the 1970s with the establishment of six Reserve Navy Cargo Handling Battalions to support the Marine Corps Maritime Prepositioning Force. The number of battalions grew to 12 in the 1980s.

NCHBs deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq during the War on terror.

Current

NCHB-14 personnel engaging in pre-deployment training exercises in 2016. NCHB14 ULTRA .jpg
NCHB-14 personnel engaging in pre-deployment training exercises in 2016.

NCHBs deploy on a rotational basis around the world in support of national strategic objectives.

Sailors assigned to units of the Navy Expeditionary Logistics Group are eligible to earn designation as Enlisted Expeditionary Warfare Specialist after several months of training and an oral board.

Subordinate Units

NAVELSG (Echelon IV), directs four Navy Expeditionary Logistics Regiments (NELR) (Echelon V) and their subordinate Navy Cargo Handling Battalions (NCHBs)(Echelon VI). Additionally, each NELR has an Expeditionary Communications Detachment (ECD).

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Battle of Peleliu</span> World War II battle in the Pacific theater

The Battle of Peleliu, codenamed Operation Stalemate II by the US military, was fought between the United States and Japan during the Mariana and Palau Islands campaign of World War II, from 15 September to 27 November 1944, on the island of Peleliu.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Seabee</span> Member of the US Naval Construction Forces

United States Naval Construction Battalions, better known as the Navy Seabees, form the U.S. Naval Construction Force (NCF). The Seabee nickname is a heterograph of the initial letters "CB" from the words "Construction Battalion". Depending upon context, "Seabee" can refer to all enlisted personnel in the USN's occupational field 13 (OF-13), all personnel in the Naval Construction Force (NCF), or Construction Battalion. Seabees serve both in and outside the NCF. During World War II they were plank-holders of both the Naval Combat Demolition Units and the Underwater Demolition Teams (UDTs). The men in the NCF considered these units to be "Seabee". In addition, Seabees served as elements of Cubs, Lions, Acorns and the United States Marine Corps. They also provided the manpower for the top secret CWS Flame Tank Group. Today the Seabees have many special task assignments starting with Camp David and the Naval Support Unit at the Department of State. Seabees serve under both Commanders of the Naval Surface Forces Atlantic/Pacific fleets as well as on many base Public Works and USN diving commands.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1st Marine Division</span> USMC infantry division

The 1st Marine Division is a Marine division of the United States Marine Corps headquartered at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California. It is the ground combat element of the I Marine Expeditionary Force.

Naval Weapons Station Yorktown is a United States Navy base in York County, James City County, and Newport News in the Hampton Roads region of Virginia. It provided a weapons and ammunition storage and loading facility for ships of the United States Atlantic Fleet, and more recently, for those from the Fleet Forces Command.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cheatham Annex</span> U.S. Military base

Cheatham Annex is a Naval Base, located near Williamsburg, Virginia on the York River approximately 35 miles northwest of Norfolk in the heart of the famous Jamestown–Williamsburg–Yorktown "Historic Triangle." Although Cheatham Annex was not commissioned until June 1943, the land on which the base is located can claim the unique distinction of having been associated with every conflict involving the United States freedom and independence. The mission of Cheatham Annex includes supplying Atlantic Fleet ships and providing recreational opportunities to military and civilian personnel.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">5th Marine Regiment</span> Military unit

The 5th Marine Regiment is an infantry regiment of the United States Marine Corps based at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California. It is the most highly decorated regiment in the Marine Corps and falls under the command of the 1st Marine Division and the I Marine Expeditionary Force.

In the United States Marine Corps, a Marine Air–Ground Task Force is the principal organization for all missions across the range of military operations. MAGTFs are a balanced air–ground, combined arms task organization of Marine Corps forces under a single commander that is structured to accomplish a specific mission. The MAGTF was formalized by the publishing of Marine Corps Order 3120.3 in December 1963, "The Marine Corps in the National Defense, MCDP 1-0". It stated:

A Marine air–ground task force with separate air ground headquarters is normally formed for combat operations and training exercises in which substantial combat forces of both Marine aviation and Marine ground units are included in the task organization of participating Marine forces.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2nd Battalion, 11th Marines</span> Military unit

2nd Battalion, 11th Marines (2/11) is an artillery battalion comprising four firing batteries and a Headquarters Battery. The battalion is stationed at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California. Its primary weapon system is the M777 lightweight howitzer. The battalion was the first in the Marine Corps to fully transition from the M198 Howitzer. They fall under the command of the 11th Marine Regiment and the 1st Marine Division.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">3rd Battalion, 23rd Marines</span> Military unit

3rd Battalion, 23rd Marine Regiment (3/23) is a reserve infantry battalion in the United States Marine Corps located throughout the Southern United States consisting of approximately 800 Marines and Sailors. The battalion was first formed in 1943 for service in the Central Pacific Area during World War II, taking part in a number of significant battles including those at Saipan and Iwo Jima before being deactivated at the end of the war. In the early 1960s, the unit was reactivated as a reserve battalion. The battalion is headquartered in Saint Louis, Missouri, with outlying units throughout the Southern United States. 3/23 falls under the command of the 23rd Marine Regiment and the 4th Marine Division. Recent operations have included tours in Iraq and Afghanistan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Navy Expeditionary Combat Command</span> Echelon III command of the U.S. Navy

The Navy Expeditionary Combat Command (NECC) is an echelon III command of the United States Navy, which serves as the single functional command to centrally manage current and future readiness, resources, manning, training and equipping of the United States Navy's 21,000 expeditionary forces who are currently serving in every theater of operation. The NECC was established in January 2006. NECC is a subordinate command of the Navy's Fleet Forces Command.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Seabees in World War II</span> Military unit

When World War II broke out the United States Naval Construction Battalions (Seabees) did not exist. The logistics of a two theater war were daunting to conceive. Rear Admiral Moreell completely understood the issues. What needed to be done was build staging bases to take the war to the enemy, across both oceans, and create the construction force to do the work. Naval Construction Battalions were first conceived at Bureau of Yards and Docks (BuDocks) in the 1930s. The onset of hostilities clarified to Radm. Moreell the need for developing advance bases to project American power. The solution: tap the vast pool of skilled labor in the U.S. Put it in uniform to build anything, anywhere under any conditions and get the Marine Corps to train it. The first volunteers came skilled. To obtain these tradesmen, military age was waived to age 50. It was later found that several past 60 had managed to get in. Men were given advanced rank/pay based upon experience making the Seabees the highest paid group in the U.S. military. The first 60 battalions had an average age of 37.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Amphibious Construction Battalion 1</span> Military unit

Amphibious Construction Battalion ONE is an amphibious construction battalion in the United States Navy based in Coronado, California, and last in type unit. Amphibious Construction Battalion TWO was its sister unit based in Little Creek, Virginia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Expeditionary strike group</span> Organizational unit within the US Navy

In the United States Navy, the expeditionary strike group (ESG) is a coordinated group of surface ships, aircraft, submarines, and other naval assets. In contrast to carrier strike groups (CSGs), which emphasize air power and are led by a supercarrier, ESGs are strongly suited for amphibious warfare and are led by an amphibious assault ship. The ESG concept was introduced in the early 1990s, based on the Naval Expeditionary Task Force. The U.S. Navy fields nine expeditionary strike groups.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marine Corps Security Force Regiment</span> United States marine regiment

The Marine Corps Security Force Regiment is a dedicated security and anti-terrorism unit of the United States Marine Corps. It provides security forces to guard high-value naval installations, most notably those containing nuclear vessels and weapons. It also provides Fleet Anti-terrorism Security Teams (FAST) and Recapture Tactics Teams (RTT). Marines who complete Security Forces training are assigned a secondary Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) of 8152, while instructors can earn 8153.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 133</span> United States Navy unit

Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 133 is a United States Navy Construction Battalion, otherwise known as a Seabee battalion, homeported at the Naval Construction Battalion Center. The unit was formed during WWII as the 133rd Naval Construction Battalion. It saw action and was decommissioned shortly after the war ended. The unit was reactivated as Mobile Construction Battalion 133 for the Vietnam War and remains an active unit today.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 25</span> Military unit

Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 25 or NMCB 25 is a Navy Reserve Seabee unit that is headquartered at Port Hueneme, CA. Its World War II predecessor was one of three CBs transferred to the Marine Corps in the late summer of 1942 as combat engineers. Those three battalions were attached to composite Marine Engineer Regiments as the third battalion of their respective regiment. All of them remained with the Marine Corps for the next two years before they were released and returned to the Navy. At the end of World War II the battalion was decommissioned. In 1961, it was recommissioned in the Naval Construction Force Reserve where it remains today.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Naval Beach Group Two</span> Military unit

Naval Beach Group Two, (NBG-2) is a United States Navy amphibious unit based at Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek, Virginia Beach, Virginia. Naval Beach Group One is its sister unit based in Naval Amphibious Base Coronado in Coronado, California.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Navy Cargo Handling Battalion</span> US Navy logistics units

Navy Cargo Handling Battalions (NCHBs) are expeditionary logistics units of the United States Navy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Underwater Construction Teams</span> Navy construction battalion underwater construction units

Underwater Construction Teams (UCT) are the United States Navy Seabees' underwater construction units numbered 1 and 2 that were created in 1974. A team is composed of divers qualified in both underwater construction and underwater demolition. Possible tasks can be: battle damage repairs, structural inspections and assessments, demolition of waterline facilities or submerged obstructions, installation of submerged surveillance systems, or harbor and channel clearance. As needed, teams may test and or evaluate new or existing aquatic systems or equipment. Extending construction, whether vertical or horizontal, beyond the shoreline and waterline is their specialty. Reflecting Seabee tradition, teams are expected to execute underwater construction anywhere, anytime, under any conditions.

References

  1. "Commander".
  2. Special Naval Construction Battalion Cruisebooks,NHHC, U.S. Navy Seabee Museum webpage Archived 23 April 2019 at the Wayback Machine
  3. Antill, Peter (2003), Peleliu, battle for (Operation Stalemate II) – The Pacific War's Forgotten Battle, September–November 1944, "HITTING THE BEACH 3rd paragraph"
  4. "17th Special NCB cruisebook" (PDF). Naval History and Heritage Command. p. 29. Archived (PDF) from the original on 22 June 2018. Retrieved 18 October 2017.
  5. "Seabees of 17th Special Naval Construction Battalion Wait to Assist Wounded of 7th Marines". World War II Database. Archived from the original on 15 August 2017. Retrieved 18 October 2017.
  6. "African-American Marines of 16th Field Depot Rest on Peleliu". World War II Database. Archived from the original on 15 March 2018. Retrieved 18 October 2017.
  7. "17 Special Naval Construction Battalion" (PDF). Naval History and Heritage Command. Archived (PDF) from the original on 22 June 2018. Retrieved 18 October 2017.
  8. Princeton University Library, Marine Corps Chevron, Vol 3 Number 48, 2 December 1944 Archived 12 February 2020 at the Wayback Machine
  9. 1 2 "NCHB1 Command web-page". Archived from the original on 29 June 2018. Retrieved 29 June 2018.
  10. Story of DaNang.pages - Class of 1957 webpage, Some recollections of DaNang, US Navy Supply Corps Archived 20 June 2018 at the Wayback Machine