NCB 22

04/01/2026

From Skipper and CMDCM,

Today, April 1st, we mark 133 years since the establishment of the Chief Petty Officer Corps established April 1, 1893.

For over a century, Chiefs have been the backbone of this Navy. Deckplate leaders. Technical experts. The bridge between officers and Sailors. That legacy lives in every one of you who wears this anchor.

The fouled anchor you wear is more than a device. It is a symbol of who we are and the standard we are held to. Leadership. Heritage. Tradition.

To every Chief in this battalion: today we celebrate YOU. What you represent, what you've earned, and the standard you set every day for the Sailors who look to you.

Happy Birthday, Chiefs. 133 years strong.

03/05/2026

From Skipper:

Today we celebrate 84 years of the United States Navy Seabees and the birth of the legendary Can Do spirit.

On March 5, 1942, the Navy officially authorized the name Seabees for its Naval Construction Battalions, creating a force designed to do something unprecedented at the time: build and fight. What began as a wartime necessity during World War II quickly became one of the most capable expeditionary engineering forces in the world.

From constructing airstrips on remote Pacific islands under enemy fire to supporting humanitarian missions and combat operations across the globe today, Seabees have proven time and again that Construimus, Batuimus We Build, We Fight is more than a motto. It is a way of life.

To Seabees of NCB TWO TWO, I want you to know how proud I am of the work you do every day. You continue to carry forward a legacy built on grit, innovation, and mission accomplishment. No matter where the mission takes us, whether in war or peace, you represent the very best of the Seabee tradition and the enduring Can Do spirit.

Thank you for your professionalism, your dedication to the mission, and your commitment to one another.

Happy 84th Birthday, Seabees.

03/05/2026

From Skipper:

As we celebrate 84 years of the United States Navy Seabees and the legendary Can Do spirit. Since March 5, 1942, Seabees have built and fought wherever the mission calls. To the Seabees of NCB 22 Happy 84th Birthday, Seabees!

03/04/2026

Happy belated birthday to the Navy Reserves

Happy 111th Birthday to the U.S. Navy Reserve. Since 1915, Navy Reservists have strengthened the fleet with skill, dedication, and readiness to serve whenever called.

Today we give a special shout out to the Navy Reserve Seabees serving in:
• Naval Construction Battalion 14
• Naval Construction Battalion 18
• Naval Construction Battalion 22
• Naval Construction Battalion 25
• Naval Construction Battalion 27

Thank you to the Reserve Seabees who continue to bring the “Can Do” spirit to missions around the world while balancing civilian careers and military service.

🐝

03/04/2026

BEE NEWS

The March issue of Bee News is here. 🐝
This month we celebrate 84 years of the U.S. Navy Seabees and the birth of the “Can Do” spirit that has defined generations of Seabees since 1942. The issue also highlights the Civil Engineer Corps birthday, Seabee operations around the world, and the people who continue to carry the legacy forward.

Inside this issue you’ll also find:
• Seabee stories and operations from across the fleet
• Updates from the U.S. Navy Seabee Museum
• Scholarship opportunities for Seabee families
• The 2026 Seabee 5K T-shirt design contest
• Community events and reunions

Bee News is the official newsletter of the Navy Seabee Foundation and is published monthly with updates on Seabee activities, history, and Foundation programs supporting Seabees and their families.

Read the March issue and explore past editions here:
https://www.seabee.org/about/publications/

03/04/2026

The 2026 Scholarship Application Season is open until April 15th.

Graduating high school this spring? Now is the time to submit your Navy Seabee Foundation scholarship application.

The deadline to apply is April 15, and scholarships are available for students whose parent or grandparent served with the U.S. Navy Seabees.

If you’re planning your next step—whether that’s college, community college, or a technical or trade program—this is an opportunity to help support your education.

Check your eligibility and learn more on our website: https://www.seabee.org ...Don’t wait until the last minute—get your application in soon.

10/14/2025

From the Skipper

Today we celebrate 250 years of the United States Navy—a legacy of honor, courage, and commitment. Since 1775, our Navy has stood as the guardian of American freedom, adapting from wooden ships to the most advanced fleet in the world.
Throughout that history, the Seabees have been essential—building the roads, airfields, and infrastructure that keep our forces moving. “We Build, We Fight” isn’t just a motto—it’s who we are.
As the Navy faces new challenges, especially in the Indo-Pacific, Seabees remain at the forefront—engineering the future of naval operations and ensuring mission success wherever we’re called.
Take pride in your part of this legacy. You are a link in an unbroken chain of service spanning 250 years.

Happy Birthday, United States Navy!

07/15/2025

Hunt, TX — NCB 22 Seabees Support Texas Flood Recovery
Sailors from Naval Construction Battalion 22, Detachment San Antonio, volunteered to assist in flood recovery operations led by local authorities in Hunt, Texas, after catastrophic flooding along the Guadalupe River claimed at least 131 lives and caused widespread devastation across the region.

After driving two hours from San Antonio, the team worked with the Hunt Volunteer Fire Department to clear debris, recover personal belongings, and support search efforts in a 12,000-square-foot flood zone. The Seabees removed more than eight cubic yards of debris and completed all assigned tasks with zero safety incidents.

“Some of the kids who lost their lives were the same age as my daughter,” said CE1 Rhyan Lopez. “You couldn’t help but feel connected to the families.”

“We found a small Winnie the Pooh doll buried in the mud,” he added. “That moment hit us — then we got back to work.”

“I kept thinking — what if it were my family?” said BU3 Jason Amaya. “Being a father, I had to help.”

Participating Sailors included:
CE2 Rivera – NCB 22
BU2 Rhines – NCB 22
BUCN Cortinas – NCB 22
CE1 Dunnagan – NCB 22
CE1 Lopez – NAVFAC PWSU
BU3 Amaya – PHIBCB 1

NCB 22 honors the memory of those lost and remains committed to standing with communities in times of need.

Link to full DVIDS story: https://www.dvidshub.net/news/542783/ncb-22-sailors-support-texas-flood-recovery-efforts

07/13/2025

DoD Leadership Visits Seabees on the Ground in Gallup
GALLUP, N.M. – June 24, 2025 — Senior leaders from across the Department of Defense visited Seabees from Naval Construction Battalion 22 this week during Operation FOOTPRINT, a Navy Reserve-led mission focused on construction training and community impact.

The visit gave leaders a firsthand look at the work being done by NCB 22 and joint partners to build a home for a Navajo Nation resident and Marine Corps Vietnam veteran. When the future homeowner experienced a serious medical event, the Seabees adjusted course on the spot—redesigning the structure to include a permanent ADA-accessible ramp.

“This is exactly what IRT was designed to do,” said Col. James Hogan, Director of the DoD’s Innovative Readiness Training program. “Our service members are getting top-tier training in real-world conditions, and at the same time, we’re making a difference in the lives of the people who live here.”
Leaders spent the day with Seabees, partners from the Southwest Indian Foundation, and members of the New Hampshire Army National Guard, who are supporting the mission with foundational work and interior finish.

“I am very impressed with the thoughtful planning and dedication by the team to pull this off, and the professionalism with which they do their work,” said Mr. William G. Fitzhugh, Acting Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Manpower and Reserve Affairs.

Operation FOOTPRINT wraps up July 3 and reflects exactly what Seabees do best—real-world work, under real-world conditions, that leaves a lasting impact.

Full DVIDS Article: https://www.dvidshub.net/news/501480/senior-dod-leaders-observe-navy-led-construction-efforts-supporting-gallup-community-during-operation-footprint

Learn more: https://irt.defense.gov

07/13/2025

NCB 22 Seabees Build and Give Back During Operation FOOTPRINT
GALLUP, N.M. – Sailors from Naval Construction Battalion 22 wrapped up a full home build on the Navajo Nation this June, handing the keys to a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and his family as part of Operation FOOTPRINT—a Navy-led training mission under the Department of Defense’s Innovative Readiness Training program.
Over two months, the team built the three-bedroom home from the ground up and added an ADA-accessible ramp after a medical issue changed the plan mid-build.
“We knew what this mission meant to the community, but it also meant a lot to us as Seabees,” said BU1 Jesse Bryson. “We got to apply our training in a real-world environment while helping someone who served before us.”
EA1 Cesar Gonzalez said the work went beyond tools and timelines: “Meeting the recipient and their family—especially someone who served in Vietnam—was humbling. It reminded us why this work matters.”
Hard work, teamwork, and a real impact—this is what being a Seabee is all about.

Full DVIDS Article: https://www.dvidshub.net/news/501945/ncb-22-seabees-build-readiness-and-impact-lives-during-operation-footprint

07/12/2025

Change of Command at NCB 22

PORT HUENEME, Calif. – Cmdr. Jeffrey A. DePiazza relieved Cmdr. Donald J. Petersen as commanding officer of Naval Construction Battalion (NCB) 22 during a Change of Command ceremony held July 12, 2025, at the U.S. Navy Seabee Museum onboard Naval Base Ventura County.

Capt. Douglas B. Whimpey, Commander of Naval Construction Regiment One, served as the presiding officer and guest speaker.

“We gather here today, not just in ceremony, but in recognition of leadership, legacy, and the enduring spirit of NCB 22,” said Whimpey.

Cmdr. Petersen, who led the battalion since March 2022, was recently selected for promotion to captain.

“The command tour has been the pinnacle of my career,” said Petersen. “It’s been my honor.”

Cmdr. DePiazza most recently served as operations officer for Seventh Naval Construction Regiment.

“Even though we face uncertain times, and even with the reorganization, our core mission has not changed — build! Always build,” said DePiazza. “My vision is centered on enabling your success and our ability to meet any challenge.”

Established in 1942, NCB 22 is a Reserve Seabee unit with detachments across the western U.S., providing expeditionary construction support to Navy and joint forces worldwide.

We Build, We Fight — Seabees Can Do!


Full story on DVIDS: https://www.dvidshub.net/news/542628/ncb-22-holds-change-command-ceremony