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U.S., Philippine Seabees Unite During Balikatan

Navy News Service

Story Number: NNS110414-09
4/14/2011

By Equipment Operator 3rd Class Kareshia McGriff, Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 133 Public Affairs

LUBIGAN, Philippines (NNS) -- Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 133 Seabees were recognized during a ground breaking ceremony at the Lubigan Elementary School in Lubigan, Philippines, March 12.

The ceremony served as a celebration of a new two-room building and a four-stall latrine built by U.S. and Philippine Seabees as part of the 2011 Balikatan exercise.

"Details JSOTF-P (Joint Special Operations Task Force – Philippine) and Balikatan are hard at work in the Republic of Philippines, and working jointly with U.S. Special Forces and Philippine Seabees," said Lt. Cmdr. Joshua Gamez, NMCB 133 operations officer. "The work they are doing is very important and will further contribute to the economic and social development of communities of strategic interest to the armed forces of the Philippines and the U.S."

NMCB 133 worked bilaterally with a composite force consisting of the 4th NMCB and 3rd Mechanized Infantry Battalion of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

The construction project offered the American and Philippine Seabees to learn from each other. American Seabees were exposed to different techniques shown to them by the Filipino Seabees. Likewise, the Filipino Seabees were able to experience technology the American Seabees bring to the exercise. The project also provided an opportunity for the Seabees to experience each others culture.

"My favorite part about working with the Filipino Seabees is the unity; the mixing of two cultures," said Equipment Operator Constructionman Larry Hill.

During the ceremony, children performed songs and dances to show their appreciation. Words of encouragement and motivational speeches were given by local leaders and military service leaders who are executing the Balikatan exercise in the Tarlac province.

The term "Balikatan" is a Tagalog word which means "shoulder-to-shoulder."