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Crater Repair Project No Problem For 'Can Do!' Seabees In Iraq

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS041206-12
Release Date: 12/6/2004 4:29:00 PM

By Chief Journalist Suzanne Speight, I Marine Expeditionary Force Engineer Group Public Affairs

AL ASAD, Iraq (NNS) -- In true "Can Do!" spirit, Seabees from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 23 have made permanent repairs to 31 giant-size craters at the Al Asad airfield -- a military runway critical to operations in northern Iraq.

The airfield, once a military hub accommodating F/A-18 "Hornet" fighters, C-130 "Hercules" and C-5 "Galaxy" cargo planes, had been out of service with battle damage for more than a year when the Seabees moved in.

According to LT Donald Panthen, I Marine Expeditionary Force (I MEF) Engineer Group assistant operations officer, the Seabees' performance has been outstanding despite of a number of project difficulties.

"The Seabees completed this job ahead of schedule and in spite of material shortages, contractor delays and insurgent activity," Panthen said.

When NMCB 23 officially took on the project in October, work was already behind schedule by more than three weeks, and additional existing craters had been added to the project.

Permanent crater repairs require extensive measures, such as cutting and removing the damaged pavement adjacent to the craters, excavating the soil, filling the hole and compacting with structural fill material, and then capping the craters with concrete.

"It's comparable to patching giant potholes, each five feet deep and up to 80 feet across," said LT Stephen Fichter, project officer. The crew produced more than 3,600 cubic yards of concrete for the job, utilizing more than 6,000 tons of patching material. "Operating in a war zone adds another layer of difficulty to an already challenging project," Fichter said.

According to Fichter, quality sand and gravel are in short supply in the Al Anbar province, and there are only a few nearby quarries for obtaining the scarce raw material.

"Getting stone and sand from the quarries is dangerous due to the security situation in that area," he said. "We can't just order up material and have it delivered. Here, we have to go and get our own stone and sand."

In addition, an explosive ordnance disposal team must visit supply sites prior to loading material to check for the presence of improvised explosive devices and supply convoys must travel at night with tight security.

In spite of these obstacles, the Desert Bees completed one runway three weeks ahead of schedule.

"From the start, we've empowered our Seabees on the ground to find what works and get the job done," Fichter said.

The Seabees produced their own formulas for concrete, considering that the quality of sand and gravel vary widely from source to source.

"It's like trying to make cookies all taste the same, even though your ingredients are different in every batch," Fichter said. "We keep adjusting our recipe, depending on what kind of material we have at the time." The Seabees produced concrete for the project using only two "crete-mobiles," a major accomplishment considering the diminutive mobile concrete mixers are designed for a much smaller workload.

"This project has not been easy," Fichter said. "I think our positive attitude has been a key aspect of this project. We have established good working relationships with fellow Soldiers and Marines, so when we need repair parts or additional equipment, they are glad to help out. Good will goes a long way and is easily built using the diverse skills found in ordinary Seabees."