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Seabees Build Roadway at NCTAMS Pacific

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS050613-20
Release Date: 6/13/2005 2:49:00 PM

By Journalist 3rd Class Ryan C. McGinley, Commander, Navy Region Hawaii Public Affairs

PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii (NNS) -- Seabees from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 5, based at Port Hueneme, Calif., are in Hawaii constructing a roadway around Naval Computer and Telecommunications Area Master Station (NCTAMS) Pacific to help security personnel as they patrol and monitor the base.

The Seabees are laying gravel on the seven-mile stretch of roadway and compacting it with the help of an off-road vibratory roller and a Champion grader.

“The roads that they’re doing around the outside of the base transit the remote areas of the base that security patrols on a regular basis,” said Cmdr. Joe Spegele, executive officer of NCTAMS Pacific. “With the weather up here in Wahaiwa - the rain and so forth - the dirt on those roads doesn’t hold very well and frequently gets washed out, and [the roads are] almost impassable by any vehicle.

“Putting that gravel down will make the road last for years without being washed out and makes it passable to any kind of a vehicle,” continued Spegele. “It enhances our security posture. We are able to easily respond to a remote location on the base in a more timely fashion, rather than trying to transit a road that’s almost impassable.”

Spegele said NCTAMS was grateful the Seabees could undertake the project, because of the cost and time it would take to contract from a civilian company.

“The Seabees provide a great service and bring with them a great skill set that will really help us out,” he said. “It’s something we couldn’t have gotten done on our own, and, certainly, the cost of it would have been phenomenal to hire a contractor.”

According to Equipment Operator 2nd Class (SCW) Jeremy Hunt, assigned to NMCB 5 and project supervisor, the Seabees were sent to Oahu as a detachment of four to construct the roadway while the main body of NMCB 5 is in Guam. They started the project April 20 and are scheduled to complete it Sept. 29.

“It’s important we do this to support readiness, enhance our skills and aid in mission effectiveness,” said Hunt.

“It’s really a win-win situation,” said Spegele. “The Seabees get experience practicing because it keeps their skill set fresh and honed. It’s a great win for us because we get something we’ve needed for a number of years.”