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History


Naval Construction Battalion (NCB) 22 was initially commissioned on Sept. 2, 1942 at the Seabee Training Center, camp Allen, Norfolk, Virginia. After advance military and technical training at Port Hueneme, California, NCB-22 arrived at its assigned duty station at Sitka, Alaska on November 28, 1942. While there, the battalion completed a total of 28 projects in seven months.

On July 6, 1943, NCB-22 moved farther west to Attu, an island of tundra and windswept mountains in the Aleutian chain. Two months earlier, U.S. Army units had captured the island from the Japanese. The Seabees' primary task was to build an airfield for U.S. Bombers. The airstrip work began on July 16 with men working 24 hour day basis in violent, unpredictable weather. After 11 days of constant work, NCB-22 completed the first usable section of runway. Before the winter approached, two 5,000 foot runways were in operation. At the same time, the Seabees had built hangers, Quonset hunts, and a PT boat dock.

On March 14, 1944, NCB-22 "The Famous 22nd" departed Attu for Camp Parks, Shoemaker, California where the command was decommissioned.

Reserve Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (RNMCB) 22 was re-established on March 5, 1961. During Phase I of the Battalion's organizational training conducted at the Battalion Construction Center, Davisville, Rhode Island in 1961, the Battalion selected the name of Lone Star Battalion. At the time, only Texas Seabee reservists were assigned to RNMCB-22 and its emblem was the state outline. Later reservists from Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and New Mexico were assigned to the battalion. The Battalion emblem was changed include all five states joined together as one solid block which symbolized the strength of the battalion. The Lone Star Battalion was awarded the RADM John R. Perry Trophy on Nov. 5, 1967 at ceremonies conducted at Naval Air Station Dallas, Texas. This award is named in honor of the late Rear Adm. John R. Perry, CEC, USN. It was originated by the Bureau of Yards and Docks, approved by the Secretary of the Navy on July 22, 1964, and is awarded annually to the top reserve battalion I the country. At the time, RNMCB-22 was only the second battalion to received the award.

Twelve days after release from active duty for training at Camp Lejeune in 1968, RNMCB-22 received notice of "that long training duty", we were recalled to active duty. The battalion reported for mobilization to Construction Battalion Center, Gulfport, Mississippi on May 13, 1968. Upon commissioning RNMCB-22 became Mobile Construction Battalion (MCB) 11. The advance party of MCB-22 deployed for Viet Nam in July of 1968 with the main body arriving in August 1968.

Serving under the 3rd Naval Construction Brigade while in Viet Nam, the Lone Star Battalion was awarded the Navy Unit Commendation and the Meritorious Unit Commendation by the Secretary of the Navy for outstanding service. While in Viet Nam "22" established records in the field of construction that remain unsurpassed and received the title "The Professionals". It proved the worth of maintaining a Reserve Naval Mobile Construction Battalion as part of the Navy's "total force in readiness."

In 1990 the Lone Star Battalion was again notified to prepare for recall in support of Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm. Due to early end of the operation the battalion was ordered to stand down and while deployed for training at CBC Port Hueneme, California the battalion was re-designated as Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 22 signifying the integrated Active/Reserve Naval Construction Force. In October 1991 the battalion was again awarded the Adm. John R. Perry Trophy as "Best of Type" in the RNCF then in 1992 NCB-22 was recognized as "Best of Type" in 3rd Naval Construction Brigade.

The Lone Star Battalion is still one of the top reserve units in the nation and is composed of detachments located in Texas and Oklahoma. The battalion portrays a large star containing the outline of the states of Texas and Oklahoma. During Fiscal Year 1997, NMCB-22 relocated its Ready Reserve Site (RSS) to NAS JRB Ft Worth, TX. In July 1997, "22" participated in Operation Ready Bee at Camp Bullis, San Antonio, TX, Operation Green Stinger, NAS Dallas, TX, and Operation Bearing Duel at Fort Hunter-Liggett, CA. The success of these missions was shown by NMCB-22 being awarded the Battle "E" and Best of Type in THIRD Naval Construction Brigade for Fiscal Year 1997.

Again, NMCB-22 lived up to her reputation, being chosen as reserve battalion Battle "E" winner for Fiscal Year 1999. Through an aggressive and effective military Training Program all readiness goals were met while serving as Prime contractor on a joint reserve-active project we planned and completed a 3,000 square foot two story Pre-Engineered Building with outstanding results. "22's" CESE management program received the highest marks in the Reserve Naval Construction Force.

In response to 9/11, NMCB-22 proudly mobilized members to support Operation Enduring Freedom in which members were sent to California for training in preparation for service overseas.

In 2005, NMCB-22 was mobilized with over 600 strong in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom III-IV. After a successful FEX at Fort Hunter Ligget, NMCB-22 mobilized members to Afghanistan, Iraq and Kuwait in support of USMC and US Army.

Also in 2005, NMCB-22 mobilized members in response to Hurricane Katrina in the Mississippi and Louisiana areas. These members assisted in the relief and cleanup effort.
 

 
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