• Military Menu                       

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Industry
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

Seabees Construct 1,100-foot Pier in Little Creek

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS061025-21
Release Date: 10/25/2006 3:36:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Octavio N. Ortiz, Fleet Public Affairs Center Atlantic

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (NNS) -- Seabees from Amphibious Construction Battalion (ACB) 2 completed and broke down an elevated causeway system modular (ELCAS) Oct. 20 at Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek to enhance operational readiness.

ELCAS is a system used to provide expeditious cargo offload in support of Marine Corps and joint forces. ACB 2 Seabees constructed a 1,100-foot pier in about two weeks, side-by-side with Army Soldiers from Fort Story, Va.

“The current ELCAS modular version we are using is an expeditionary pier that allows us to bridge the surf zone and bring along side lighters and logistical support vessels to offload and stay off the surf,” said Capt. Don Chandler, ACB 2 commanding officer. “We often train with Army Soldiers, and the latch operators from Fort Story are here getting familiar with the pier and assisting us with the training, creating a joint forces atmosphere.”

The training exercise gave the Seabees a chance to enhance their practical knowledge and put their capabilities to the test.

“The importance of us constructing an ELCAS is to improve our readiness in case we have to install this anywhere in the world,” said Lt. Carl B. Jackson, ELCAS on site officer-in-charge. “This provides logistics support over the sea from a military ship or merchant ship, so we can then pull materials from a ship to the forces ashore.”

The pier can be constructed in a variety of lengths, depending on the situation.

“The maximum length of a pier is 3,000 feet and can be as short as 800 feet, because it depends on the beach gradient and hydrographic conditions,” said Chandler.

The construction group works long hours operating heavy equipment, making this a dangerous and difficult environment to work in. Everyone becomes involved in making sure the work is done safely.

“The work can become stressful at times because we are out here 12 hours a day, seven days a week,” said Steelworker Constructionman Ryan Kindleman. “Everything becomes monotonous and we have to make sure that everybody is safe and has the proper safety gear on when working out here.”

ACB 2 Seabees feel good about what they can do according to Steelworker 2nd Class James Ockwood.

“It’s amazing to see what we can build in the amount of time it takes for us to complete the pier, because no one else in the world can build what we do,” said Ockwood, ELCAS on-site supervisor. “This makes every one of us feel good about what we can do.”

The ELCAS system has a promising future according to Chandler, as the Seabees will continue to improve upon the system’s design and safety precautions to build a pier as fast as possible.