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Seabees Upgrade Afghan Road; Mission Complete for NMCB 3 Det Trident

Navy News Service

Story Number: NNS110124-09
1/24/2011

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

CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan (NNS) -- Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 3 Detachment Trident returned Jan. 12, from a successful 28-day road construction mission in the Helmand province of Afghanistan.

Detachment Trident worked in support of a British Task force for this road project. This joint mission aids NATO forces in maintaining a counterinsurgency presence in the area as well as improving transportation for local Afghans.

"The country of Afghanistan lacks infrastructure," said Lt. j.g. Elise Chapdelaine. "This road improvement project and other projects like it will insure the longevity of the overall mission in Afghanistan."

The biggest engineering challenge of the project was building a three mile stretch of road over more than 600 feet of marshland.

"It was hard working in those conditions," said Equipment Operator 3rd Class Glen Kramer. "The mud was so deep at times it would come over the top of your boots and some places to your knees."

Aside from the road and bypass construction, the detachment helped improve Camp Said Abdul, the location where the detachment lived during their mission.

"We installed a power supply to the medical and MWR tent, added extra sanitary facilities and built multiple picnic tables in the camp," said Construction Electrician 2nd Class Corey Jones. "Being able to improve the camp in time for the holiday season was a great moral booster not just for the Seabee detachment, but for the British troops as well."

The Seabees also took an opportunity to improve the quality of life for the local nationals by handing out coats and shoes to the children.

"On my first tour in Iraq my unit passed out shoes and jackets to improve our relationship with the locals," said Gunnery Sgt. Jose Jauquez, NMCB 3 military advisor. "It is important that we show the people of Afghanistan that we are here to help because we want to help."

In a matter of 28 days, NMCB 3 completed the road project, improved the facilities for the British troops at Camp Said Abdul, and improved relations with the local population. Detachment Trident exemplified the positive impact which coalition forces have brought to Afghanistan.

NMCB 3 is an expeditionary element of U.S. Naval Forces providing construction, engineering and security services in support of national strategy, naval power projection, humanitarian assistance and contingency operations.