American Marines building a command center for the Ukrainian Navy in Ochakiv
The US Naval construction battalion has begun building a marine operations control center for the Ukrainian Navy in the city of Ochakiv, located in the Mykolaiv region.
According to the US Navy press service, the work began on July 25; prior to that, the parties have developed and agreed on project documentation and logistics issues since the beginning of the year.
The work is being carried out as part of the Foreign Military Construction Sales (FMCS) program; the construction is part of the first mobile construction battalion of the US Marine Corps (NMCB 1), the so-called “Seabees”.
"Beginning construction in Ukraine is a significant accomplishment for NMCB 1. Our ability to maximize European reassurance initiatives in Ukraine holds strategic importance, and will ultimately improve host nation defense capacity and infrastructure, strengthen relations, and increase bilateral training capabilities", said Seabees Lt. j.g. Jason McGee.
The construction project includes the erection of the operational control center itself, repair shops and checkpoints along the perimeter of the base.
The statement says that the naval command and control centers are designed to provide flexible control of the Navy in the entire range of military operations. They will provide the military command with fleet management tools and ensure the adoption of mission-critical solutions in difficult situations. As part of such a center, a command post may be deployed, which would maintain a direct connection with the ships during exercises.