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Quarry Enables Seabees to Support Navy on Guam

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS100630-33
6/30/2010

By Jesse Leon Guerrero, U.S. Naval Forces, Joint Region Marianas Public Affairs

SANTA RITA, Guam (NNS) -- Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 11 and 30th Naval Construction Regiment (NCR) conducted an explosives blast at the Mineral Products Rock Quarry on U.S. Naval Base Guam June 25.

Although quarry blasts are performed about once a month, it was NMCB 11's first since arriving on island and taking charge of Camp Covington in May. The blast used about 520 pounds of explosives.

Senior Chief Equipment Operator (SCW) Joe George, resident quarry manager for 30th NCR, oversaw the event. 30th NCR is a detachment which advises NMCBs on mineral products production and quarry blasting, among other duties.

"One pound of explosive will yield about one cubic yard of rock material," George said.

The aggregate of rock fragments produced by quarry blasts are then used in construction projects handled by Seabees. These projects include a wide-range of upgrades, renovations and new work done for laying down roads, concrete pours for roofs, walls and other infrastructure.

Seabees working daily at the quarry collect and then crush rock material to produce varying rock sizes such as 2.5-inch minus, 3.25-inch minus, and 4-inch minus. Equipment Operator 1st Class (SCW) Robert Sullinger, quarry supervisor and head blaster for NMCB 11, said their overall goal is to make available approximately 450 cubic yards of material per day.

"We can adjust to whatever a project calls for," Sullinger said.

Since there is the need for explosives to loosen the rock from the quarry, George said blasts are carefully planned to both maximize the life expectancy of the quarry and keep all participants safe. Warning announcements are provided to NBG one month in advance and roads leading to the quarry are blocked the day of a blast. The area surrounding the quarry is also evacuated to negate the risks of fragments and safety briefs are given frequently.

"Safety is the number one priority and we do the same process every time," George said. "It helps because everyone knows what they're supposed to do."

30th NCR, which consists of only three personnel, is tasked with outfitting resident NMCBs and providing planning, training and oversight. It is in charge of 54 facilities, 397 pieces of civil engineering support equipment, more than 10,000 line items of property, and more than 200 military-owned demountable containers, which are used for shipping cargo.

NMCBs provide responsive military construction support to Navy, Marine Corps and other forces in military operations, construct base facilities and conduct defensive operations. They are able to work and defend themselves at construction sites outside of their base camp and convoy through unsecured areas.