Military

NMCB 3 Seabees Train For Water Well Drilling Operations

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS071111-13
Release Date: 11/11/2007 5:06:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Carmichael Yepez, Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 3 Public Affairs

FORT HUNTER LIGGETT, Calif. (NNS) -- A group Seabees from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 3 has been training to develop a functional water well at Fort Hunter Liggett, since Oct. 30.

During the past two weeks, the 16 Seabees from NMCB 3 drilled more than 600 feet into the earth's crust before they began pumping water. The Seabees from NMCB 3 will complete their water well training Nov. 9.

"It is a dirty job because there's a lot of water and a lot of mud involved," said Construction Mechanic 3rd Class Denise Diaz, as she explained how they were drenched in mud after fixing a mud pump that broke.

Since they began drilling, the Seabees have been working three shifts, 24-hours a day to develop the water well, which will help provide water for training elements at Fort Hunter Liggett.

According to Equipment Operator Chief (SCW) Juan Noyola, water well officer in charge, the water well training is a requirement the battalion must complete every homeport before a battalion can deploy.

"We have to have a certified drilling team," said Noyola as he explained how part of the Seabee's mission involved developing water wells when deployed around the world.

"When Seabees deploy to the Horn of Africa, water wells are an essential part of the humanitarian efforts we do to foster good will," said Utilitiesman 1st Class Michael Dibble, lead utilitiesman for the 2006 drilling team. "Being able to do this for people who don't have fresh water to drink is a great thing. The people from those countries really appreciate it."

Before going to Liggett, Seabees attended an "A" school in China Lake, Calif., where they learned the basics on well drilling.

"Three of us went to school," said Diaz. "So now it is our job to teach the new guys how to develop water."

According to Noyola, the training Seabees are gaining is also a team building exercise where the more experienced drillers help the younger troops acquire the necessary skills.

"It is all about knowing the people who you work with and developing a trust, so that we can depend on each other in times of need," said Noyola. "Our next deployment will be to the Middle East, so developing our team building skills is necessary in order for our battalion to accomplish the mission."