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NMCB 5 Yokosuka Seabees Report Progress of Aircraft Carrier Facility

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS080222-04
Release Date: 2/22/2008 10:16:00 AM

From Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 5 Public Affairs

YOKOSUKA, Japan (NNS) -- Seabees from U.S. Naval Mobile Construction Battalion(NMCB) 5, Detail Yokosuka reported significant construction progress on a support facility for USS George Washington (GW) (CVN 73), Feb. 20.

When completed in mid-April 2008, the Kitting Building will serve as a storage annex for the GW, which will replace the USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) as the Navy's only forward-deployed ship beginning mid-2008.

"Construction on the detail's main project, [Kitting Building], is proceeding well and is setting the tone of quality craftsmanship familiar to U.S. Navy Seabees," said Lt. j.g. Heather M. Hawkins, Detail Yokosuka, officer in charge.

The group received the project ahead of schedule from the previous battalion deployed to the area with structural members in place. The crew has completed installation of the exterior doors, sheathed the entire shell with over sixty 77 square-foot metal panels and installed the intricate roofing system.

Ever-changing weather and inherent high risk evolutions keep these Seabees focused on mishap prevention while working at the Fleet Activities Yokosuka pier location.

"I am enjoying the challenge of building a Pre-Engineered Building," said Builder 3rd Class Cole B. Kahler, the project's assistant crew leader.

"This is a great opportunity for NMCB 5 to show that the Seabees are the construction force of choice," said Utilitiesman 1st Class (SCW) Aaron J. Neufeld, Detail Safety and Quality Control petty officer. "These Seabees are demonstrating the tremendous value that technically diverse and capable professionals add to the fleet."

NMCB 5 is one of the Navy Expeditionary Combat Command's warfighting support elements providing host nation construction operations and security in support of the global war on terrorism. NMCB 5 is currently operating in several Pacific locations outside the Okinawa, Japan headquarters.

For more news from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 5, visit www.navy.mil/local/nmcb5.