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Seabees Prove Essential to Joint Task Force in Iraq

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS080305-02
Release Date: 3/5/2008 9:46:00 AM

By Lt. David W. McCoy, Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 1 Public Affairs

IRAQ (NNS) -- The Seabees of U.S. Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 1, Task Force Sierra Main Body Detachment (TFS MB), are leading the way for a joint task force in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

TFS MB is formed from both NMCB 1 and NMCB 15 personnel. They are tasked with base maintenance, engineering and construction on a multitude of established bases and forward operating bases (FOB).

Currently, TFS MB is engaged in building up several FOB's. Crews of various sizes are used to establish berthing, tactical operating centers, planning rooms, ready rooms and various other construction requirements in order to support operations.

Operations on one FOB included an expedited time table for a 100-man tent camp, two 30 feet by 100 feet Southwest Asia (SWA) huts, planning and team rooms, and expeditionary berthing. TFS MB provided all the planning, design and utility layout for the FOB additions.

"From requirement tasking to Seabees on the ground, TFS MB executed the requirement in 25 days," said Chief Steelworker (SCW) Treasa Link, the operations chief for TFS MB.

The work is arduous with little time for planning or material acquisition. However, TFS MB continues to execute on or ahead of schedule of the task force needs. The planning effort required to stay on top of the constantly shifting demands of the task force is staggering.

Builder 3rd Class Brian Kuester, who helped complete construction of a SWA hut and four concrete pads at a FOB in just over a week, said his crew's work ethic was the reason for their timely success.

"The quality of leadership and the experience of the crew members motivated us," he said. "With what we were already trained to do, we didn't have to ask many questions on minor issues, but we knew to make certain choices to inform the leadership of what we were doing."

For more news from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 1, visit www.navy.mil/local/nmcb1/.