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NMCB 1 Seabees Near Completion of Missile Battery Site

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS061103-14
Release Date: 11/3/2006 2:11:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Ja'lon Rhinehart, Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 1 Public Affairs

OKINAWA, Japan (NNS) -- Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 1 Seabees are currently engaged in a major site improvement project at Kadena Air Force Base, Okinawa, Japan, that must be completed by November this year.

The site is to be used for a missile battery by the 94th Army Air & Missile Defense Command, Air Defense Artillery Battalion.

“I’ve only had the opportunity to work with the ‘Bees (Seabees) on two occasions,” said Commanding General of 94th Army, Brig. Gen. John Seward, during a recent visit. “Each time, I have left astounded by the motivation and quality of their work. I only wish they were going to be here longer to build the rest.”

When asked for assistance on the project by Col. John Luce of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in early July, NMCB 1 coordinated with 30th Naval Construction Regiment to realign their priorities so they could tackle the missile battery site, which requires extensive earth work using heavy construction equipment.

“It is great to be a part of something that is real,” said Equipment Operator 1st Class James Brock, project supervisor. “At the beginning, I was a little concerned about being done by the deadline, but my ‘Bees understand the importance of the job, and have come to the jobsite and worked hard all day, everyday, to make sure we finish early, not just on time.”

NMCB 1 is constructing two separate areas that work together to become one battery site. For the Seabees involved with the project, it not only provides them with the satisfaction of knowing they are doing their part to help fight the global war on terrorism, but it also provides hands-on training for the troops.

“I have a lot of junior guys out here that are getting some awesome experience with the equipment,” said Brock. “We are not only helping the Army, but we are also helping ourselves by supplying essential training time for some of the younger ‘Bees.”

The site is slated to be totally operational by the end of the year. The Army Corps of Engineers personnel that frequent the site are pleased with the progress and are happy to have had the help of the “The First and The Finest”.