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NMCB 4 Turns Big Rocks into Small Rocks

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS070416-02
Release Date: 4/16/2007 8:46:00 AM

By Chief Mass Communications Specialist (SW/AW) Steve Bansbach, Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 4 Public Affairs

CAMP COVINGTON, Guam (NNS) -- At Naval Base Guam’s Orote Point quarry, Naval Mobile Construction Battalions (NMCB) 4 and 74 conducted a joint blast April 9 as part of turnover requirements.

Placed in holes that were drilled in a staggered pattern, 5 feet by 5 feet, 1,000 pounds of explosives were detonated to create rock, gravel and sand for construction projects Seabees are completing for the naval base.

Rock drillers are used to create holes within the rock, burrowing to the next benchmark some 25-feet down. Explosive handlers, nicknamed “Powder Monkeys" then safely place the explosives inside the hole, preparing the rock formations for blasting.

“These joint blasts are used so we can see how the rock breaks down and know what we are getting,” said Chief Equipment Operator (SCW) Scott Baker, head blaster.

More than 15 personnel were on hand for the blast. Each battalion had two head blasters, two assistant blasters and four explosive handlers. Safety personnel and Orote Point facility managers were also on hand for the blast.

“The whole point of blasting is to train the younger troops,” Equipment Operator 2nd Class (SCW) Daniel Romero, said. “Blasting is a huge part of the Naval Construction Force. It’s almost tradition.”

After the blast, front-end loaders and bulldozers push the huge rocks, also called “Volkswagens" down each benchmark until they hit the floor of the quarry. From there they were transported to the Rock Crusher where the rocks will be crushed into usable material. The quarry also has a wash plant used to create sand. In order to segregate rocks from sand, they are fed up a conveyor belt where they are washed and agitated as the sand is sifted out.

During NMCB 4’s homeport, Construction Mechanic 2nd Class (SCW) Andrew Duchscher attended blasting school to learn how to safely handle explosives during his first deployment as a blaster.

“I’m not really working in my rate this deployment, but it was pretty fun. I get to blow stuff up. How cool is that!”

The next blast for NMCB 4 is scheduled for May 8.