New Construction Battalion has the Reins in Guam
Navy NewsStand
Story Number: NNS090821-29
Release Date: 8/21/2009 4:44:00 PM
By Oyaol Ngirairikl, Joint Region Marianas Public Affairs Office
SANTA RITA, Guam (NNS) -- Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 1, officially took charge of Camp Covington during a ceremony Aug. 14 on U.S. Naval Base Guam.
NMCB 1 arrived Aug. 4 and hit the ground running as part of the rotation of construction battalions deployed to the island.
"On August 5 we started the transition with NMCB 40, and they were consummate professionals throughout the transition. They've set us up for success during our deployment here on Guam," said Lt. Cmdr. Brian Nottingham, NMCB 1 officer in charge of the Guam detail. "We know where things are; we know our contacts, and we have our projects set up, so there's no delay in getting things done."
Nottingham said he has several goals for NMCB 1 Seabees in terms of professional and personal development.
"We're going to get a lot of people qualified for seabee combat warfare; we're going to improve our advancement; we're going to do some in-rate training, trying to get people advanced through the October exam cycle," he said. "We've got a lot to do, and we're ready to get to work."
Nottingham explained they have nine projects that they're looking to complete, including the roofing of a chemical storage facility and building a waterline.
He noted that deployment to Guam is an opportunity for Seabees to learn new construction skills and improve warfighting capabilities through training with Marines and other branches of the military. Their training here would help them better support operations during deployment to other areas.
NMCB 1 was last on Guam in 2007 for peacetime construction operations.
Many Seabees from the battalion were deployed to various sites throughout Central, Pacific and Northern Commands. NMCB 1 provided contingency construction and engineering in support of both Operation Iraqi Freedom II and Operation Enduring Freedom, in Iraq and Afghanistan.
NMCB 40, known as the Fighting Forty, arrived on Guam January.
Lt. Robert Leftwich, assistant officer in command of NMCB 40 detachment Guam, noted that while on Guam, the battalion participated in many events that helped Seabees better understand their place in history and on Guam.
Seabees marched in the annual Liberation Day Parade, an event that celebrates Guam's freedom from occupying imperial forces during World War II. He noted the cultural events and historical ties help make Guam a deployment that stands out from the rest.
"When the Marines stormed the island in World War II, there were three Seabee battalions right behind them," Leftwich said.
"They constructed Marine Corps Drive; they also built schools and other facilities for our service members and the people of Guam. And that's a legacy I'm proud to be a part of because Seabees, whereever they go they take a look around and say what do we need to do, how can we make this area better? And I'm so proud to be a part of that tradition."
In addition to the historical lessons, NMCB 40 completed many projects, from building the additions at the fuel farm in Piti to constructing sidewalks at Polaris Point. The projects, which support military operations and quality of life on Guam, also helped hone Seabees' skills and abilities.
"We constructed a much needed sidewalk at Polaris Point, stretching over 2,000 feet and lined by 49 solar-powered lights. This project will directly benefit many of our shipmates who are stationed here," Leftwich said.
While on the island, NMCB 40 had the rare opportunity to work with the Air Force's civil engineering response force, Rapid Engineer Deployable Heavy Operational Repair Squadron Engineers (RED HORSE).
Leftwich said the joint projects were a good opportunity for Seabees and RED HORSE Airmen to learn from each other, improving their understanding of each other's capabilities, that will help build a strong U.S. military force.
"It was a good learning opportunity and an honor to work beside our peers in the Air Force," he said.
For more news from U.S. Naval Forces, Marianas, visit www.navy.mil/local/guam/.
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