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Seabees' Can Do Spirit at Work in Afghanistan

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS090513-12
Release Date: 5/13/2009 9:21:00 PM

By MC2(SCW/AW) Patrick W. Mullen III, Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 5 Public Affairs

HELMAND PROVINCE, Afghanistan (NNS) -- Seabees from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 5, "The Professionals", are in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, supporting NATO's International Security Assistance Force (ISAF).

NMCB 5 began this deployment to the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) Area of Responsiblity (AOR) by deploying an advanced party of more than 300 Seabees to relieve the departing Seabee battalion and establish camp. As a result, NMCB 5's main body was able to hit the ground running immediately upon arrival.

"As soon as we arrived we had to get a proper turn over," Information Systems Technician 2nd Class Ryan Mize said. "Everything from the combat operations center to how far along the projects were. It was a time consuming process, but it allowed us to pick up exactly were the previous battalion left off."

Once the C-17 Globemaster III transport aircraft carrying the rest of NMCB 5 touched down, the Seabees got to work. The Seabees unloaded five large pallets of organizational gear and proceeded to the tent city they call home during deployment.

"I am very excited to be here," Steelworker Constructionman Viviana Mesa said. "Being here fills me with a sense of pride, pride in being a Seabee. I'm glad that I have the opportunity to support the global war on terror by working with the NATO forces."

The Seabee's say their legendary "can do" attitude and hard work ethic will ensure this demanding five-month deployment to Afghanistan is successful to the end.

"The Professionals" of NMCB 5 are a Navy Expeditionary Combat Command (NECC) warfighting support element providing construction support to area commanders. Their mission for this deployment is host nation construction, security, and essential life supporting facilities for United States Forces.