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Seabees of NMCB 5 and NMCB 27 Return to Port Hueneme

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS051202-05
Release Date: 12/2/2005 10:34:00 AM

By Lt. Michael Lavielle, Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 5 Public Affairs

PORT HUENEME, Calif. (NNS) -- The last group of Seabees deployed from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 5 and NMCB 27 returned home safely to Port Hueneme Nov. 18.

The battalions' deployment to several places around the world began in early April after 125 Seabees from NMCB 27, a reserve battalion from New England, were successfully integrated into NMCB 5.

“Six members of our battalion [saw] their newborn sons or daughters for the first time, including me”, said Cmdr. Jorge Rios, the battalions' commanding officer.

The deployment was extended for one month to enable the Seabees from NMCB 133 originally scheduled to relieve NMCBs 5 and 27, to put their lives, homes, and family back in order after Hurricane Katrina hit NMCB 133’s homeport of Gulfport, Miss.

“Extending [the battalions' deployment], was not an easy decision for me. However, I could not send 133 on deployment with their head not in the game,” said Rear Adm. Robert Phillips, commander, 1st Naval Construction Division, while speaking to the troops during morning quarters.

“We had to do our part. I am very proud we could help”, said Chief Navy Counselor Jeremy McMullen.

Although the news of the extension was disappointing to many, the reason for the extension was fully appreciated and understood. “This is the least I can do for my fellow Seabees who lost everything”, said Lt. Brad Davis, Charlie Company Commander.

“Our Seabees were deployed to Afghanistan, Alaska, Bahrain, Djibouti, Guam, Hawaii, Iraq, Kuwait, Palau, San Diego, and Whidbey Island. Our missions were as diverse as our locations”, said Capt. Piagentini, Guam Operations Officer.

"Having come to the battalion as we were going out the door, the deployment was an extremely valuable learning experience for me”, said Lt. j.g. Jackson Habeck, Headquarters Company Commander. "I had the opportunity to exercise leadership within a company, to explore the inner workings of battalion operations, and gain valuable insight into our Seabee Combat Warfare mission. I couldn't have imagined a better way to start my battalion career than this deployment."

Project highlights included construction of new laundry and security facilities, breaking ground on a new mechanics shop and repairing four roadways in Guam.

In addition, they built a new “Combat Town” at Camp Pendleton and repaired an existing ball field by adding new bleachers, a score board, irrigation system and completely replacing the sod in San Diego.

At Whidbey Island, Seabees built a new bridge over the Crescent Harbor Marsh and three administrative buildings. They also built two new helicopter pads and added an addition to an existing building in Bahrain.

Hawaii Detail Seabees upgraded an electrical distribution system in a facility on the island of Kauai, and constructed an addition to the K-9 security facility and a new tension fabric warehouse on the island of Oahu.

As part of a one month joint exercise, a detail from Guam was sent to the Philippines where they built a new school on the island of Luzon.

In Palau, NMCB 5 Seabees built a new police and fire substation for the local community.

In Iraq and Afghanistan, Seabees supported coalition forces throughout the region.

“The Professionals” also participated in numerous community relations projects, ranging from helping Guam High School, a local DoD school, put in new walls for a classroom and offices renovation project, picking up trash and debris on Guam beaches, and clearing brush and debris outside a local church.

Liberty was spent doing many fun things such as snorkeling and learning to dive in Guam, water skiing and sailing in Hawaii, being part of a community barbeque in Palau, visiting downtown Seattle and San Diego and experiencing the city life and culture, and even site-seeing while in Baghdad. “We are here on a serious mission, and we take it very seriously, but we have fun when we can”, said Lt. j.g. Michael Guzzi, Baghdad Detachment officer in charge.