Amphibious Construction Battalion 2 Supports Bold Alligator Water, Fuel Needs

Amphibious Construction Battalion 2 (PHIBCB 2) deployed Jan. 31 to support Exercise Bold Alligator units with vital water and fuel transfers.

Exercise Bold Alligator 2012, the largest naval amphibious exercise in the past 10 years, represents the Navy and Marine Corps' revitalization of the full range of amphibious operations. The exercise focuses on today's fight with today's forces, while showcasing the advantages of seabasing. It runs through Feb. 12, afloat and ashore, in and around Virginia and North Carolina.

During the exercise, PHIBCB 2 will demonstrate the Amphibious Bulk Liquid Transfer System (ABLTS), a floating hose system used to pump water and fuel from the ships to forces on the beach, and the in-stream offload capability to deliver equipment and containers from USNS Obregon (T-AK-3006), a Maritime Prepositioning Force (MPF) ship, to the beach.

"We're really excited to deploy ABLTS for this exercise because we are going to push the system to perform past its normal expectations," said Boatswain's Mate 1st Class Sean Kraft. "ABLTS is designed to pump liquids from 10,000 feet out in the water but we're going to push it out to 23,000 feet for this exercise."

"Pushing fuel ashore is absolutely essential to sustaining ground combat operations," stated Capt. Joe Grealish, PHIBCB 2's Commanding Officer. "We're focused on safely deploying the system and connecting with the Marine Fuels Battalion who will deliver the fuel further inland."

Seabees and Marines will pump fresh water through the system to minimize the environmental risks of pumping fuel.

The cargo offload will test the Naval Support Element's ability to perform an in-stream offload of MPF ships. The Naval Support Element consists of Sailors from Naval Beach Group 2, PHIBCB 2, Assault Craft Unit 2, Beachmaster Unit 2, and Cargo Handling Battalion 1.

Source: Military Sealift Command