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Seabees Return to Hawaii

Navy Newsstand

Story Number: NNS030519-26

Release Date: 5/19/2003 2:52:00 PM

By Equipment Operator 1st Class Kevin Cullen, First NCR Public Affairs

PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii (NNS) -- Four Seabees from the 30th Naval Construction Regiment, (NCR) based in Pearl Harbor, were given a 'hero's welcome home,' as they returned from their duties in Iraq recently.

Family members and friends, who met the arriving Seabees at Honolulu International Airport, showed their appreciation with 'aloha' by showering the men with hugs and kisses, and Hawaiian leis. Morale, Welfare and Recreation representatives, as well as fellow Sailors and Seabees from Pacific Division, were also on hand to welcome home the troops and show their support.

One of the returning Seabees, Cmdr. Joseph Campbell, hadn't seen his family since shipping out last October. Since transferring from his former duty station in Virginia, Campbell had only been in Hawaii two weeks before receiving orders to go forward.

Like most servicemembers who've been away from their families for an extended period, Campbell was anxious to be with his wife and kids again.

"I just wanted to drop my bags and run to them," he said. Now that he's home, he's got plenty of time to relax and catch up with his wife Susanna, son Will, and daughter Katie.

"We spent Mother's Day on the North Shore, which was very nice. I'm not familiar with the island so my wife and kids get to show me around," said Campbell. "I'm also going to go camping on Ford Island with my son's Cub Scout troop . more tents," he said jokingly.

Campbell, along with Chief Warrant Officer William Johnson, Chief Builder (SCW) Michael Rodrigo, and Senior Chief Equipment Operator (SW) Bryon Eichelberger, were four of 12 members assigned to Task Force Mike, a subordinate unit of the Marine Engineering Group (MEG) led by Seabee Rear Adm. Charles Kubic.

The MEG, which was instrumental in the rapid execution of the war, provided critical support to advancing troops by constructing three vital bridges on the road to Baghdad. Before the war, the 30th NCR took part in the construction of two aircraft parking aprons that spanned 30 acres. They also built 20 separate ammunition supply points in the Central Command area of operations.

According to Rodrigo, the passengers on the plane ride home were extremely kind, and the hospitality they received was fantastic.

"When we landed, we were called forward to disembark before everyone else on the plane. Then an airline representative escorted us down to where everybody was waiting for us; that's when the party began," said Rodrigo. "It's really nice to know that we're appreciated, not just by our families and friends, but by so many others who've expressed their gratitude."

Approximately 70 people greeted the four Seabees as they completed their journey home. The remaining Seabees from the 30th NCR who are forward-deployed in the Gulf are scheduled to return sometime in the near future. Their homecoming, no doubt, may cause yet another swarm of excitement around the 'bee hive' and perhaps Honolulu International Airport.