Marine Corps Commandant Hagee Visits Seabees in Southwest Asia
Story Number: NNS030212-02
2/12/2003
By Journalist 1st Class (SW) Scott Sutherland, Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 5 Public Affairs
CENTRAL COMMAND AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY (NNS) -- Making his first trip outside the United States since becoming Commandant of the Marine Corps, Gen. Michael Hagee recently visited with Seabees from two naval construction battalions training in the Arabian Gulf region.
Hagee, who relieved Gen. James L. Jones as commandant of the Marine Corps Jan. 13, arrived in an SH-60 Seahawk helicopter with Lt. Gen. James Conway, Commander, I Marine Expeditionary Force (forward), and members of their staffs to a self-contained desert camp Feb. 5.
Seabees from Naval Mobile Construction Battalions (NMCB) 5 and 74 greeted the distinguished visitors near the camp. With Seabee construction equipment and tents as a backdrop, Hagee spoke briefly about the important role that Seabees have in supporting the country's global war on terrorism.
"Having Navy Seabees in the Gulf region gives the U.S. military a logistical ability to make the course and to sustain that course," said Hagee. "What you're doing out here, the contingency construction you're providing, helps our military to be sustainable."
Under the new Marine Expeditionary Force Engineer Group (MEG) concept that draws the Marine Corps, Army and Navy into a single engineering command, Hagee said the services are doing various exercises to refine the concept.
"The MEG could become a model of success with the Seabees efforts to fight the global war on terrorism," said Hagee.
Seabees are part of a recent massive buildup of U.S. combat forces to the Arabian Gulf region. Currently, four construction battalions from the United States are maintaining a presence in the Gulf.
NMCB-5 is homeported in Port Hueneme, Calif., and NMCB-74 is based out of Gulfport, Miss.
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