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Lonestar Seabees Prep to Mobilize for Second Deployment

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS090710-01
Release Date: 7/10/2009 4:50:00 AM

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class (SCW) L. A. Shively, Fort Sam Houston Public Affairs

SAN ANTONIO (NNS) -- Reserve Seabees from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 22 are mobilizing for a second deployment to Southwest Asia later this year.

Known as the "Lonestar Battalion," NMCB 22 has detachments across Texas and Oklahoma.

As the Navy's combat construction engineers, Seabees support units throughout the world, building and maintaining critical infrastructure at forward operating bases, as well as assisting civilian populations in hostile areas.

More than 500 personnel from the battalion are traveling to Gulfport, Miss., for training in combat and life-saving skills, convoy operations, weapons qualifications and job-specific specialties such as utility, electrical, steel and construction work.

NMCB 22 deployed in 2005 to Iraq where it was instrumental in repairing a bridge, which gave Iraqi citizens access to polling stations for voting and a major market area to obtain food and other necessities. The bridge connects the city of Hit, located 85 miles west of Baghdad, to cities in the Al Anbar Province of northern Iraq. The bridge was damaged when a car bomb blew a large hole through it, rendering it impassable.

Despite it being NMCB 22's second deployment, Seabees did not hesitate to volunteer to pack up and go again.

"We have plenty of people saying, 'Take me! Take me!'" said Construction Mechanic 1st Class James Warwick, who heads the mobilization process for NMCB 22.

Prior to affiliating with the Seabees, Warwick spent eight years of active duty with the Marines, first with an infantry unit and then in avionics. He also spent two years in the Army as an electronics technician for tanks. During his first deployment with NMCB 22, Warwick worked at Haditha Dam, Iraq, as a crew leader.

"I brought back an appreciation of the varied skills Reservists bring to the Seabee community. We did a lot of things we had skill sets for, gleaned from our civilian jobs, such as re-plotting the power network for the [Iraqi Security Force] camp," Warwick said.

Warwick and his detachment lived with the Iraqi Security Force (ISF) soldiers for a short time while they were rebuilding their camp.

"The Iraqi soldiers were mostly shepherds and farmers and were eager to better themselves and better their country," Warwick remembered.

He said the battalion's last mission was an absolute success, so he looks forward to surpassing expectations for the battalion's new mission. Pre-deployment training will focus on mobility, an area of expertise for Seabee battalions.

"Embark and mount out exercises are being stressed," Warwick said. "We're training for Iraq, but with the current state of affairs, we must be ready for anything."

Equipment Operator 1st Class Mark Mayfield he is looking forward to the deployment. He accompanied the battalion to Iraq in 2005 where he drove vehicles in convoys between Haditha Dam and Al Asad, Al Q'aim and Combat Outpost South. He was also part of a concrete crew repairing runways at Al Asad. A musician as an active-duty Sailor, Mayfield traded in his clarinet so he could drive big trucks and support the Seabees' mission.

"I love my job," Mayfield said. "I've been to the Pacific and Cuba as a musician; now as an equipment operator, I've seen new places. The diversity is refreshing."

Builder 2nd Class April Walker's husband, Builder 3rd Class Orlando Walker, is scheduled to make the deployment, which will be his first. Both Walkers are members of NMCB 22.

"I'm okay with it. The time apart stinks, but we knew it was coming, it's part of being a Seabee," said April. "We prepared for it emotionally by talking to each other and the kids, and watching videos about deployment provided by the Navy Operational Support Center. I come from a military family so it's a little easier for me than him. But he's okay with it now. My grandparents are in the area and are supporting me, too."

"I was a bit worried and upset - not being around the family and not being [around] to help out with our children," Orlando said.

The Walkers said they both completely support the Navy's mission.

For more news on Commander, Navy Reserve Force, visit www.navy.mil/local/nrf/.