File:NMCB 3 'Silent Heroes' provide KSO enthusiastic, critical support 131102-N-TD630-003.jpg

English: Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 3's Maxmilian Hefty and his athlete show off their face paintings they had done at the 14th Annual Kadena Special Olympics. Volunteers from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 3 helped both prepare for the 14th Annual Kadena Special Olympics and cheered on athletes the day of the event. The KSO was established by the 18th Wing commander in 1999 as an avenue to build relations with neighboring communities and local government representatives while providing a meaningful activity for the special needs children and adults. The event has grown from approximately 100 athletes to more than 1,300 athletes and artists. The program reaches out to more than 77 schools and special needs workshops throughout the island. Through KSO both American and Japanese athletes had the opportunity to compete in the national games and world games. NMCB 3's main body is deployed to Okinawa but has nine other details performing critical construction projects in remote island areas such as Timor-Leste, Tonga, Cambodia and the Philippines. The teams will also conduct operations in Atsugi, Yokosuka and Okinawa, Japan; Chinhae, Republic of Korea and China Lake, Calif. The naval construction force is a vital component of the U.S. maritime strategy. They provide deployable battalions capable of providing disaster preparation and recovery support, humanitarian assistance and combat operations support. (U.S. Navy photo by Builder Constructionman Laine Pulfer, Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 3 Public Affairs)