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NMCB 3 Seabees Adapt to Afghanistan Environment During Deployment

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS101130-07
11/30/2010

By Construction Mechanic 3rd Class (SCW) Christopher Carson, Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 3 Public Affairs

CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan (NNS) -- Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 3 landed in Helmand province, Afghanistan Nov. 12, to begin an eight-month deployment.

Since then, Seabees from NMCB 3 have been adapting to their new environment with the help of both hard work and creative recreational activities.

"This will be my seventh deployment and so far it's not so bad," said Builder 1st Class (SCW) David Combs, NMCB 3 Delta Company. "I'm a disc golf fan so I have gotten a team together, and we are going to build a temporary course and start having our own disc golf tournaments very soon."

For many of the other Sailors, keeping in touch with their families during the deployment is the best way to unwind.

"Communication has been big for me," said Steelworker 3rd Class (SCW) Kaylynn Barajas, NMCB 3 Echo Company, "It is important to stay connected to my family back home."

According to Barajas, being able to rely on others is another way to keep from getting stressed out.

"Deployments like this one, where there isn't much to do except work, you have to rely on the people around you to stay motivated," she said. "My roommates and I are spending time decorating for the upcoming holidays."

Many of the Seabees in NMCB 3 adapted to the environment by increasing their physical activity and participation in sporting events, including frequent departmental volleyball challenges.

Camp Krutke, the Seabee camp within Camp Leatherneck, has morale and recreation facilities for the troops. There is a phone facility, three gyms, a game and movie lounge with a small concession stand, two volleyball courts and a basketball court built with materials used for runway emergency repairs called AM2 matting.

"The department volleyball challenges have been a healthy distraction," said Yeoman 3rd Class (SCW) Gabriel Rodriguez, NMCB 3 Admin department. "After playing a few games, you realize three hours passed by; that you were able to just enjoy being in the moment and not worry about the stresses of deployment."

Whether they are calling home, or challenging another department to a game of volleyball, the Seabees from NMCB 3 are making the best of their deployment to Afghanistan.

NMCB 3 is part of the Navy Expeditionary Combat Command's warfighting support elements, providing construction operations and security in support of overseas contingency operations.