Amphibious Construction Battalion Two

Amphibious Construction Battalion Two
ACB-2 Insignia
Active	1942 - present
Country	United States
Branch	USN
Garrison/HQ	JEB Little Creek
Motto(s)	"we build, we fight"
Engagements	Korean War Vietnam War Operation Desert Storm Operation Iraqi Freedom Operation Unified Response
Commanders
Current commander	Captain Mark R. Delao

Amphibious Construction Battalion TWO (abbreviated as ACB 2, or PHIBCB 2) is an amphibious construction battalion in the United States Navy based in Little Creek, Virginia. Amphibious Construction Battalion ONE is its sister unit based in Coronado, California.

Mission

PHIBCB TWO combines the small craft expertise of the surface navy with the construction capabilities of the Naval Construction Force. We support Commander, Naval Beach Group TWO in amphibious force projection with fully trained, combat ready forces.

History

Amphibious Construction Battalion TWO traces its roots to the pontoon operation battalions of World War II that participated in every major amphibious assault, beginning with the invasion of Sicily. By the use of pontoon causeways, barge-mounted cranes and pontoon ferries, these battalions gave the amphibious forces the ability to quickly off-load the large quantities of troops and cargo needed to assure victory.

Since its commissioning as the 105th Naval Construction Battalion on 14 July 1942, under the operational control of Commander, Amphibious Training Command, U.S. Atlantic Fleet, the command has continually participated in major amphibious operations and exercises.

When Naval Beach Group TWO was established in 1948, the 105th NCB became a component of that command and was re-designated Amphibious Construction Battalion TWO (PHIBCB TWO) in 1950. Between December 1972 and 1975, PHIBCB TWO was a component of Naval Inshore Warfare Command following the disestablishment of Naval Beach Group TWO. However, PHIBCB TWO once again became a component of Naval Beach Group TWO when it was re-commissioned in 1975.

An aerial view of the White Beach logistical compound established by Sailors assigned to Amphibious Construction Battalion (ACB) 2 at Varreoux Beach in Port-au-Prince, Haiti

PHIBCB TWO has distinguished itself in a myriad of operations since World War II including :

• the 1958 crisis in Lebanon
• the Multi-National Peace Keeping Force in Lebanon from August 1982 to February 1984
• the October 1983 rescue of American citizens in Grenada
• Operation Sharp Edge in Liberia in 1991
• Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm in 1990-1991
• Operation Uphold Democracy in Haiti in 1994
• disaster recovery efforts for TWA Flight 800 and Egypt Air Flight 990
• more recently Operation IRAQI FREEDOM
• and Operation Unified Response providing much needed relief after the 2010 Haiti earthquake.

PHIBCB TWO has earned several unit awards, including two Navy Unit Commendations & two Meritorious Unit Commendations, and was the first Naval Construction Force command to receive the Department of Defense Joint Meritorious Unit Award. The Battalion also qualified for the Golden Anchor Award for retention excellence in FY 01 and FY 03.

With over 1,100 active duty and reserve men and women, Amphibious Construction Battalion TWO provides the U.S. Atlantic Fleet with the ship-to-shore link so vital to success in amphibious operations.

See also

• Seabees
• Amphibious Construction Battalion ONE (ACB 1)
• Naval Mobile Construction Battalion FOUR (NMCB 4)
• Naval Construction Battalion Center Port Hueneme