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Seabee Detachment Stands Up at 'San Nic'

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS061103-22
Release Date: 11/3/2006 4:26:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Kimberly Williams, Naval Base Ventura County Public Affairs

NAVAL BASE VENTURA COUNTY, Calif. (NNS) -- Seabees from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 74 are temporarily stationed at Naval Base Ventura County (NBVC) San Nicolas Island (SNI) for a six-month deployment.

San Nicolas Island is the detachment site for 15 Gulfport, Miss.-based Sailors who were selected by their commanding officer to conduct road repairs, assemble pre-engineered building and other jobs, time permitting. While the island is functional for mission essential duties, there are several dilapidated buildings, bumpy unpaved roads and general maintenance repairs required.

“We [NBVC SNI] submitted a request during the Seabee call for work to have a Battalion come to SNI and perform military construction,” said Lt. j.g. Michael Tomsik, San Nicolas Island assistant officer in charge (OIC).

“San Nic,” as it is affectionately called by those who frequent the island, is located 65 nautical miles southwest of NBVC Point Mugu. It is used to conduct weapons testing and range operations. Seabees have not been stationed on or deployed to the island for the last 17 years, so employees at the island will get a taste of Seabee culture.

“Every person on the island from restricted personal to the OIC helped prepare the hangar space that the Seabees will operate out of more livable. We have been anticipating their arrival for more than two years,” said Mark Gabrilska, San Nicolas Island Public Works maintenance supervisor II. “We want more [Seabee detachments] to come, and we believe that the Gulfport battalion has met and exceeded all expectations,” said Gabrilska.

The construction project will make life easier for those who use the island, including environmentalists that study the island’s wildlife and ecosystem.

Chief Builder William Irving, NMCB 74 San Nicolas Island detachment officer in charge, said the largest project the team will conduct is construction of a pre-engineered building.

“Continuous construction is the main focus of the Seabees. The primary purpose for our visit here is to stabilize roads and to build the foundation for which additional battalions that deploy here will be able to utilize and build upon,” said Irving.

Another Seabee battalion is scheduled to replace NMCB 74 at San Nicolas Island in spring 2007.

NMCB 74, or “Fearless 74," has been named "Best of Type" among the Atlantic Fleet battalions nine times during its history. The battalion is currently deployed to sites worldwide in support of the global war on terrorism.