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Seabees Play Integral Part in Balikatan 2008

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS080329-03
Release Date: 3/29/2008 4:42:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Ernesto Hernandez Fonte, 30th Naval Construction Regiment Public Affairs

PORT HUENEME, Calif. (NNS) -- Seabees from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 5 and Underwater Construction Team (UCT) 2 participated in school construction and renovation projects as part of Balikatan 2008, which ended March 14.

Balikatan means shoulder-to-shoulder in the Philippines. In February and March, Republic of the Philippines (RP) and U.S. Forces shouldered the load together to help people in need on the second largest island in the RP.

For Seabee and Filipino engineers, this meant building and restoring schools in the towns of Tacurong, Marawi and Midsayap on the island of Minandao -- one of 7,107 islands that make up the Philippine nation in South East Asia.

Civil Military Operations like Balikatan help provide relief to the people of the RP and participants hope this example will show that peace not conflict will bring prosperity to the region.

"If the population has more trust in the military [and government], then they are more likely to go to them for security than to the militants," said Army Col. William Coultrup, Joint Special Operations Task Force-Philippines (JSOTF-P) commander.

Seabees made strides to earn the respect and trust of the people of Minandao. In one case, Filipino engineers requested to work with the Seabees again, according to Army Chief Warrant Officer 4 Daniel J. Wilke, JSOTF-P plans officer.

Wilke said the Filipino engineers will have that chance when the USNS Mercy (T-AH 19) embarks later this year in support of Pacific Fleet humanitarian missions.

"The Bee's were an integral part of Balikatan. Without them literally none of the construction projects could have got off the ground," said Army Capt. Merrit Phillips, JSOTF-P public affairs. "They installed most of the foundations and braces underneath the floors for all the projects, which were later finished by joint U.S. and RP construction teams."

As Navy ambassadors to the world, Seabees contribute to the Maritime Strategy by supporting humanitarian efforts that build trust and demonstrate goodwill. Balikatan and the construction projects completed by Seabees and joint forces is an example of how the nation demonstrates its goodwill.

"Balikatan is a great example of how Seabees are partnering with other nations to show the compassion of the American people by improving their lives in the most basic of ways," said Rear Adm. Richard E. Cellon, commander of First Naval Construction Division.

The Seabees of NMCB 5 and UCT 2 represented the Naval Construction Force in Balikatan. NMCB 5 is currently forward deployed to Okinawa and maintains 10 detachment sites in the Pacific and South East Asia. UCT 2, known primarily to support construction efforts through diving, did not conduct diving evolutions on this mission, but were able to use the exercise as a pre-site visit for future projects as well as hone their Seabee construction skills.

Both units in the exercise were involved in building and restoring schools that impact thousands of people.

"Working with our Filipino counterparts and helping to better their children's educational environment, made a huge difference in the lives of the people here," said Construction Electrician 1st Class Rodriguez Lynn, administrative officer in charge of UCT 2 Air Detachment Alfa. "We gave them more room to learn, new desks, chairs, chalkboards and improved what was already there."

UCT 2 and RP engineers built two new classrooms, a flagpole, a ceremonial stage, as well as repaired and improved two other schools in Marawi.

"The school building will house approximately 50 children at a time. With multiple classes for years to come, these buildings will be used by thousands of children. By building this school, we have given them hope of getting an education so they can live a better life," said Lynn. "It wasn't until we got to the ribbon cutting ceremony with the U.S. ambassador and the local community that our eyes were opened to how many people would be positively affected by what we have done in Balikatan."

While UCT 2 worked in Marawi, NMCB 5 Air Detachment worked with the 512th and 518th RP Engineer Combat Battalions to build a new Elementary school house in the town of Midsayap and renovated two Elementary school houses in the town of Tacurong.

"We are extremely proud, as Seabees, to have had the opportunity to build these schools," said Lt. Michael S. Singleton, NMCB 5. "We felt sincere appreciation for the work we were doing for them from the people of the towns. They regularly provided lunch for our working Seabees and the turnout at both closing ceremonies was huge."

The impact Seabees made to the region during Balikatan may build a foundation to future goodwill projects that strengthen the bonds between the U.S. and other nations.

"The fact that we work hand-in-hand with our Philippine military counterparts helps us learn a great deal about each other in the process," said Cellon, who is serving in his first year as the division commander for the Seabees. "Our participation in the Balikatan Exercises is helping prevent the spread of extremist influence in these areas by building trust and lasting friendships between our cultures."

Seabees will participate in more than nine exercises and 35 projects in 15 countries while continuing to support humanitarian efforts during 2008.

For more news from the 30th Naval Construction Regiment, visit www.news.navy.mil/local/30NCR/.