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NMCB 17 and 3 Join Forces to Complete Mission in Iraq

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS080520-07
Release Date: 5/20/2008 8:37:00 AM

By Utilitiesman 1st Class (SCW/SS) Bryan Gornet, NMCB 17 Public Affairs Office

BALAD, Iraq (NNS) -- Seabees from Naval Mobile Construction Battalions (NMCB) 17 and 3 arrived in Iraq in March and April respectively to provide construction and security support to coalition forces throughout Iraq.

NMCB 17 and 3 joined efforts to construct numerous access ramps and concrete abutments for a new battle aid station (BAS) in Iraq.

Their first challenge was to coordinate with the BAS staff to determine the best way to excavate, form and place concrete in strategic areas surrounding the structure without impeding access or affecting BAS operations.

"Not only must patients be able to enter and exit the BAS safely without delay while we begin construction, but we also have to keep in consideration the medical staff, which sleeps in the BAS because they work night and day shifts," said Builder 2nd Class Jennifer Bailey.

To alleviate this situation, the Seabees split the entrance in half limiting access through the already restricted doorway. The crew designed a ramp for one half of the double doors and called upon the detail's steelworkers to fabricate a set of metal stairs for the other side.

"This is the first time that I have been a construction crew leader and it has been a great learning experience," said Bailey, a Reservist from NMCB 17, who works as telecommunications technician in California. "This is an outstanding example of camaraderie and team building."

Excavation began under an intense dust storm where a six person crew prepared the site by securing the construction perimeter with orange cones and yellow construction tape.

Seabees from NMCB 17 and 3 then placed 27 cubic meters of concrete spreading it like a layer of cake batter in a pan.

For Engineering Aid 2nd Class Armand Baclig, a project engineer from Hawaii assigned with NMCB 17, this was the perfect opportunity to gain some hands on experience.

"I usually work in an office doing planning," said Baclig. "So this is a good learning experience to be able to do what we've learned in class."

This first project is only the beginning of the type of expeditionary construction the Seabees from both battalions will be doing during their deployment in Iraq.

Their mission will be to continue providing quality construction to improve the quality of life for forward operating forces.

"We are spreading the 'Can Do' spirit of the Seabees," said Builder Constructionman Steven Szyplinski, a Seabee assigned with NMCB 3. "It's an honor to support the mission and an honor to serve our country too."

Seabees bring a broad range of technical and military skills which, in combination, provide a unique capability to the general engineering support mission. In addition to construction, these essential capabilities include robust organic support functions such as logistics, maintenance, and communications.

For more information about the Seabees of NMCB 3, visit www.seabee.navy.mil.

For more news from 22nd Naval Construction Regiment, visit www.navy.mil/local/22ndNCR/.