Camp Shelby, Mississippi. (February 7, 2023): In this photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Andrew Waters, Seabees assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 133 and Marines from the 8th Engineer Support Battalion defend an expeditionary advanced base of operations during a simulated attack. Famous for their bravery and skill constructing airfields during World War II, the Seabees and their Marine comrades are responsible for establishing and defending Marine forward operating bases in combat.

Based at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, the 8th Engineer Support Battalion is part of the 2nd Marine logistics group, II Marine Expeditionary Force, and is responsible for logistics and ordnance disposal. Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 133, nicknamed the “Runnin' Roos!”, provides advance base construction, battle damage repair, contingency engineering, humanitarian assistance, and disaster recovery support to the fleet.

Should war break out, these units would be the “tip of the spear” going ahead of major combat units to construct landing strips, clear explosives, and repair damage facilities to pave the way for main force units.

Camp Shelby is an important training site for active duty and reserve units stationed in Alabama, Mississippi, and Tennessee.