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8th ESB paves the way; engineers rebuild and protect logistics command

USMC News

Story Identification Number: 200331751119
Story by Sgt. Allan J. Grdovich

CAMP FOX, Kuwait(March 17, 2003) -- U.S. Marines continue to repair the bumpy roads and wind-beaten berms beyond the gates here following the March 6 sandstorm that left many of the roads almost impassable.

Two 8th Engineer Support Battalion crews armed with excavators, graters, scrapers, bulldozers and "elbow grease" work to repair roads to the north and berms to the camp's south end. These improved roads allow vehicle traffic to continue to and from the Marine Logistics Command inside and outside the berms here.

According to engineer Cpl. Kevin Alexander, the unit's 15 Marines repaired and modernized several miles of berm with guard posts nearby. He said because of the safety of his Marines, the crews work diligently to finish before sundown.

Berms are put up to set a clear mark of what the boundaries of the camp are and to keep out any unwanted vehicles and visitors, said heavy equipment operator Lance Cpl. Kevin Alexander.

The unwanted visitors include two-legged, four-legged and the like, said the Statesville, N.C., native.

"Every now and then, guards will have a scare thinking someone is breaching their berm only to find out it is a small herd of camels," he said. According to Alexander, as many as 100 camels may walk over the berm.

Engineers raised the height of the berms to about 15 feet to deter the humped, desert natives from continuing to stray on the camp's grounds.

On the north end, engineers made the drive into Marine Logistics Command a bit less bumpy by smoothing out the winding road with graters and filling in the numerous ditches and potholes. They filled the potholes with six-to-ten inches of clay.

Engineer Cpl. Abram Weller said a steamroller is driven over the clay to harden the ground and make the road more durable.

"As engineers this is the best part of our job because we can actually see our progress," the Wausau, Wisc., native said.

Since arriving here in late-December, many of the engineer assets have strived to make additional living conditions as comfortable as possible.

Simple comforts such as wooden tables and chairs inside tent city are credited to the support Marines, who anticipate their stay here to last several months.

8th ESB, a 2d Force Service Support Group battalion, is currently deployed to the Middle East region in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. The Camp Lejeune, N.C.-based unit here is part of the Marine Logistics Command.