What is navy cargo handling battalion 1?

Navy Cargo Handling Battalion 1 (NCHB-1) is a United States Navy unit which specializes in the handling, loading, and unloading of cargo on ships, aircraft, and helicopters. The unit was originally established in 1973 to support Navy Seabees in the construction of facilities, but its mission evolved to focus solely on cargo handling.

NCHB-1 is based at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story in Virginia Beach, Virginia. As of 2021, the unit is composed of approximately 200 personnel and is divided into several specialty sections, including cargo handling teams, crane operators, riggers, and forklift operators.

The unit has been deployed in support of various naval operations, including Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm in the Persian Gulf, Operation Iraqi Freedom in Iraq, and humanitarian relief efforts in Haiti and Indonesia. NCHB-1 also provides training and support to other military branches and allied nations.

In addition to its cargo handling capabilities, NCHB-1 has a unique secondary mission as a swimmer's group, trained to rapidly deploy and conduct underwater construction and demolition operations to support military objectives.