Seabees Construct New Rota Facility to Support FDNF

ROTA, Spain (NNS) -- Seabees from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 133, as of March 16, are actively working on a construction project that will provide electromagnetic systems test and evaluation services to afloat and shore commands.

The land-based facility is known as Shipboard Electronic Systems Evaluation Facility (SESEF) and was established to facilitate testing of ship's electromagnetic transmitting and receiving equipment.

"We began this project during our first deployment to Rota. Every battalion that is based out of Gulfport has had a hand in building this," said Lt. j.g Jeffrey Rossman, SESEF project manager. "We started it and we're going to finish it and the total turnaround time will be two years. We're scheduled to complete the project on July 29, 2016."

"I like this project because for the past 10 to 12 years, Seabees have been doing a lot of expeditionary construction," said Builder 1st Class James Vossler, SESEF project supervisor. "We get in there and build temporary facilities. This project allows us to get back to our roots and build permanent structures. It's good training for our junior Seabees who haven't built anything permanent."

According to Naval Sea Systems Command, who sponsors the project, the SESEF is the Navy's most efficient, cost effective "reliable partner" for development and operational testing of shipboard electromagnetic systems, to include; Search and Fire Control Radars, Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) Systems, Navy Data Link Systems, Communication and Electronic Warfare Systems.

NMCB 133 started this project when they were on deployment to Rota back in 2014. When complete, this facility will be the seventh of its kind and will join San Diego, Norfolk, Florida, Hawaii, and Japan as military locations with this type of technology.

The SESEF construction project also doubles as a great opportunity for some hands-on training for Seabees who have never constructed permanent-standing structures.

NMCB 133 is homeported in Gulfport, Mississippi, and has personnel currently assigned in more than 25 locations, performing a variety of missions in support of the Navy and the Department of Defense.

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

U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa, headquartered in Naples, Italy, oversees joint and naval operations, often in concert with allied, joint, and interagency partners, in order to advance U.S. national interests, security and stability in Europe and Africa.

For more news from Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa/U.S. 6th Fleet, visit www.navy.mil/local/naveur/.