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Seabees Underway for Pacific Partnership 2008

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS080516-25
Release Date: 5/16/2008 4:44:00 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, NMCB 133 and Amphibious Construction Battalion (ACB) 1 embarked USNS Mercy (T-AH 19) to perform humanitarian and community relations projects in Southeast Asia in support of Pacific Partnership 2008.

Pacific Partnership is a humanitarian civic assistance mission. The multinational operation unites personnel from 15 nations to improve the lives of the people of The Republic of the Philippines, Vietnam, Timor Leste, Papua New Guinea, and Micronesia.

Mercy and its Seabees will make their first stop as part of Pacific Partnership late this month to the Republic of the Philippines. They will renovate two health clinics and complete improvements to the surrounding area. For these projects, Seabees will be working with Armed Forces of the Philippines engineers. Philippine engineers requested to work with the Seabees again after working together during earlier operations this year.

"As ambassadors of good will, Seabees bring a unique and robust construction capability to humanitarian and civic action projects unlike any other force on earth," said Rear Adm. Richard E. Cellon, commander, 1st Naval Construction Division. "There is no better example of this than their participation in Pacific Partnership, which demonstrates U.S. commitment to the region and promotes peace and stability in the Western Pacific."

During 2007's Pacific Partnership, Seabees completed 44 projects to include hospital and school renovations, road repair, flood control, solar panel installation, and playground construction. This year, the projects are new but the goals are the same: to build upon the foundation of trust and good will established by NMCB 7, ACB 1 and the USS Peleliu's (LHA 5) during the mission in 2007.

"From renovating clinics to painting schools and installing playgrounds, the projects for this year will vary in complexity and difficulty," said Construction Electrician 1st Class Jose Peguero. "One of the upcoming projects is the renovation of a clinic which includes building and installing a new roof, windows, doors, water supply, septic tank, restroom facility, electrical upgrades, and an additional room for patient privacy."

According to officials, the clinic is the only one in the town and is more than 1.5 miles from the nearest hospital. The clinic supports a population of 45,000.

"Even if it's only for a few weeks, having to get accustomed to the culture and way of life of different people is a privilege," said Steelworker 3rd Class Jonah Soto. "I'm honored to be representing America's compassion in Pacific Partnership. This is definitely why I joined the Navy."

Mercy will support the Seabee mission with ship-to-shore transportation for personnel and equipment as well as provide a medical staff at project sites.

"One Mercy Team," exclaimed Builder 2nd Class Eilene Dustan as one of the goals for Pacific Partnership 2008. "Even if the Seabees are just one small part of the multinational team assembled on the Mercy, I am proud to say we have all the tools, experience and will necessary to do an exceptional job and make Pacific Partnership a success."

Seabees will participate in more than nine exercises totaling 39 projects through 15 countries in the Pacific continuing to support humanitarian efforts in 2008.

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