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Submarine Base Seabee Unit Deployed to Middle East

Navy NewStand

Story Number: NNS030306-07
Release Date: 3/6/2003 10:57:00 AM

By Journalist 1st Class (SW) Jay Cope, Navy Region Northeast Public Affairs

GROTON, Conn. (NNS) -- Since the first construction battalion personnel started processing through Gulfport, Miss., in 1942, Seabees have been building on the front lines of every conflict, and then defending what they build.

Nearly 1,000 Seabees have been deployed to the Middle East recently, and Feb. 28, the first contingent of Seabees from Construction Battalion Unit (CBU) 414 based at Naval Submarine Base (SUBASE) New London joined them.

Shipmates and family gathered to wish them well during a short ceremony before the Seabees boarded vans on their way to report to the U.S. Central Command in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

Capt. Larry Van Dessel, Navy Region Northeast's program manager for facilities and the most senior civil engineer corps officer at SUBASE, joined the unit's leadership in seeing the contingent off.

In wishing the deploying Seabees well, Van Dessel reminded them of the Seabee legacy.

"It's always difficult to leave family and loved ones behind and head into the unknown," said Van Dessel. "So gather strength from our Seabee motto: With willing hearts, with skilled hands, and with compassion for others, we build and we fight for peace and freedom."

Historically, CBU 414's primary mission has been to support a deployed fleet hospital, but the unit is capable of performing a myriad of construction functions in theater, including building and repairing roads, bridges, airstrips, utility systems and camp facilities.

"We've been on heightened alert for awhile, so when we got the order, we were ready to go," said Chief Warrant Officer Timothy Bennett, CBU 414 officer in charge. "Everyone in the unit wanted to be in the first wave, and they are excited about putting all the training into practice."

That "training" has included numerous construction projects on SUBASE, as well as secondary alert force operations and disaster recovery operations. The unit completed several building renovations, including most recently a $229,000 project turning a waterfront warehouse into an office building at a savings of more than $1 million to the government.

"This is work we are very proud of, but our mission has always entailed being on the front lines and maintaining the infrastructure needed for our forces to succeed," said Bennett.

CBU 414 consists of nearly 40 Sailors of various construction ratings and skills. Their heavy duty equipment was already on station prior to their departure, and each Seabee left with only two sea bags of uniforms and personal items. The spartan lifestyle expected in the Middle East didn't deter the Sailors from being ready for transfer to the front lines.

"We like to think that we are always prepared," said Equipment Operator 1st Class Eldon Clement, CBU 414 leading petty officer. "There were a lot of guys that when the call came, were saying 'Pick me! Pick me!' But, when we get the call - we go!"