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NMCB 133 Begins Deploying for Pacific Partnership 2008

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS080425-05
Release Date: 4/25/2008 8:05:00 AM

By Construction Electrician 2nd Class (SCW) Frank Higgins, Naval Mobile Construction Battalion Public Affairs

GULFPORT, Miss. (NNS) -- In a shift from contingency construction to humanitarian construction, members of Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 133 began deploying April 1, in support of Pacific Partnership '08.

Pacific Partnership will involve multiple units, skill sets, and nationalities. Personnel from NMCB 133 will be divided into two groups; the "fly-in" detachment, and a floating detachment (air and sea echelons). The air echelon will be tasked with larger, more in depth construction partnering with engineers from the host nations. The sea echelon will be partnering with the USNS Mercy (T-AH-19) and members from Amphibious Construction Battalion (ACB)-1.

The mission statement for Pacific Partnership 2008 is to, "conduct joint, combined, and cooperative Civil-Military Operations in the Asia-Pacific Region in order to improve regional stability and build partner capacity to respond to natural disasters and pandemic."

A veteran of four such missions, Equipment Operator 1st Class (SCW) Shane Breyette, member of air echelon explained, "I believe humanitarian missions are the most rewarding of all missions because you can see the difference you make in peoples' lives as you're making it. Not only are we ambassadors of the United States and the United States Navy, but also ambassadors of good will."

The air echelon is currently scheduled to make stops in Samar, Philippines, Popendetta, Papua New Guinea, and the Island of Chuuk, Federated States of Micronesia. The sea echelon will additionally visit Vietnam and Timor Leste (East Timor).

Lt. j.g. Amy Yoon will lead the air echelon, while Chief Equipment Operator (SCW) James Brock will lead the sea echelon combining NMCB 133 and ACB-1. Both groups will be under the guidance of Destroyer Squadron 31, and will be working hand-in-hand with their counterparts at each of their respective locations.

In addition to the engineering aspect that the Seabees will bring, the USNS Mercy (T-AH 19) will be providing medical care to the inhabitants of the host nations. During Pacific Partnership '06, the Mercy provided care to over 200,000 people, with the same or greater number expected on the upcoming mission.

Tasking for the Seabees on Pacific Partnership will include health clinic construction, community center construction, water tower replacement, classroom building construction, and numerous minor and major renovations to various community buildings.

"Details are still unknown for about half of the countries and tasking continues to change," said Yoon when discussing the upcoming mission. "Regardless, it should be a unique experience for everyone involved."

For more news from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 133, visit www.navy.mil/local/nmcb133/.