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NMCB 25 Multitasked in Philippines Exercise

Navy Newsstand

Story Number: NNS040302-09

Release Date: 3/2/2004 3:38:00 PM

By Journalist 1st Class Mark H. Overstreet, Commander, Naval Reserve Forces Command, Detachment Balikatan

PUERTO PRINCESA, Philippines (NNS) -- During the month of February, Naval Reserve Seabees and Philippine armed forces construction teams worked side-by-side to complete three Engineering Civic Action Projects (ENCAP) within the humanitarian and civic assistance phase of Exercise Balikatan 2004.

The annual event improves the interoperability of U.S. and Philippine military forces and demonstrates U.S. commitment and resolve in training, assisting and advising the Philippine government.

The air detachment of Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 25 from Milwaukee, Wis., deployed 45 personnel to the Philippine island of Palawan in February to participate in Balikatan.

Projects are under way at three locations in Puerto Princesa, the capital city of Palawan, located on the island's eastern coast.

One project at Bacungan Elementary School in the hills of Puerto Princesa's northern reaches teamed a group of Seabees with the Philippine Army's 552nd Engineering Construction Battalion to install an 850-gallon water tank and pumping system. Until now, water had to be carried to the school in buckets on a daily basis. The new tank will serve schoolchildren and other local residents alike.

Farther south, a different group from NMCB 25 teamed with the Philippine Navy's First General Construction Company, First Naval Construction Battalion, Naval Construction Brigade, to erect a two-classroom building at the Manuel Austria Elementary School in Barangay San Miguel.

"We started by pouring the concrete walls and then erected the 'red iron'--the rigid frame of the structure," said Builder 1st Class Matt Hensel, the project's chief from Park Rapids, Minn. "Since then, we've put up the siding, installed doors and electrical lines, roughed-in the plumbing and poured the concrete floor and sidewalk. The locals are particularly expert at masonry, so at this point, we are relying on them to finish the exterior of the walls before we begin to paint."

Lt. Narcisco V. Angelo is the Philippine Seabee officer in charge. He acknowledged the expertise of Seabees engaged in the projects.

"We are especially impressed with their use of power tools and some of their construction techniques," he said.

Nearby, in a densely populated residential and business neighborhood, a third NMCB 25 group and the Philippine Army's 525th Engineering Construction Battalion are refurbishing a medical clinic and pharmacy. Like the projects at the two schools, the work done here transcends the exercise's military goals.

"We are training the local construction teams in areas in which we are strong, learning from them in areas in which they are strong and honing our ability to work together," said Lt. Mike Lukich, NMCB 25 officer in charge from Chicago. "But also important is the fact that for many years to come, the work we are performing together will make a positive difference in people's lives."