Seabees Makes a Difference in the Philippines
Navy News Service
Story Number: NNS110414-12
4/14/2011
By Lt. j.g. Daniel Brown, Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 133 Public Affairs
MINDANAO, Philippines (NNS) -- U.S. Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 133 deployed 24 Seabees to support the Joint Special Operations Task Force-Philippines (JSOTF-P) March 1.
The Seabees Detail (Det) JSOTF-P, from Gulfport, Miss., began working to improve the safety and appearance of a local playground within 24 hours of landing in Zamboanga City located in Mindanao, Philippines.
"Walking down the street and seeing all the people smile and wave just melts my heart," said Construction Electrician Constructionman (CECN) Elizabeth Leow. "They know we want to help them, and they love us for it."
After the initial Task Force in-processing was complete, the Runnin' Roos' of Det JSOTF-P had some logistical hurdles to leap as they were split into three, operational teams and a headquarters support element. The three teams moved to separate satellite locations to serve customers at each location.
Construction Electrician 2nd Class Casey Cole led a contingent of eight Seabees (Team 1) to Camp Bu Datu on the Island of Jolo. Their mission was to renovate a four-room school house, and build a new, three-room school house. The school compound is located in the poverty-stricken "barangay" (village) of Tambangan.
A large volume of work has been completed thus far, but the Seabees still have plenty of work to do in this ongoing project.
"The project is continuing to throw new challenges at us every single day," said Builder 3rd Class Antonio Delrio. "The wood is warped, it rains all the time, and the existing structures are poorly constructed; however, it is all worth it, especially when you see the small children that are going to be using the school houses we build and improve, versus the decaying rooms they use now."
Re-sheathing and re-roofing the school will be completed during the rehabilitation. Structural improvements will be made, and doors and windows designed to increase the school's security will be installed. Extreme weather and poor building materials led to structural failure on one side of the roof and truss system. With the engineer's approval, Team 1 will add a gable end to the roof to protect the truss system from the weather increasing the structure's longevity.
Team 1 has completed the demolition, and started constructing new window units and hanging new sheathing on the interior and exterior walls of the school house. Eventually, the team will move to another location to work with local nationals on the construction of the new school house.
"The lasting impression left by the Seabees will continue to serve the mission of JSOTF-P for years to come", said Air Force 1st Lt. Mike Zudic, JSOTF-P Engineer.
Team 2 Leader, Builder 2nd Class Bobby Gaskin, took six Seabees to NMCB 133's most northern location on the main island of Mindanao, a barangay called Cota Bato. They arrived on site after a short flight across the Moro Gulf with a tasking of 250 meters of perimeter fence for an Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Marine Base. The project required demolition of the entire existing fence followed by a concrete footer, several courses of block, and columns housing razor wire at the top.
The Seabees have to be creative in using available "tools" to complete tasks. At one point, they were forced to sift sand with a screen door after receiving beach sand used in the mortar for laying blocks.
"It's the challenges and unforeseen conditions that make our job interesting every single day," said Builder 3rd Class Britton Crawford.
In just two weeks, Team 2 completely moved in, set up operations, demolished over 75 meters of perimeter fencing, and constructed 25 meters of new and improved force protection.
"The Seabees are doing tremendous work out here in Cota Bato and it doesn't surprise me because every time I am in the contingency environment, I see the Seabees doing great things. In Cota Bato alone, their efforts are going to result in a completely secure perimeter and free up over 12 personnel a day from the existing watch bill that is in place due to a dilapidated, practically non-existent perimeter fence," said Army Capt. Ryan Wampler, JSOTF-P Engineer.
Pending the result of negotiations between the United States, AFP, and local barangay leaders, Team 2's next project will be on the Island of Jolo to complete 30 residential houses.
Team 3 worked in Jolo City, on the Island of Jolo, rehabilitating the Civil Affairs Team's (CAT) house and enhancing force protection. The house suffered from extreme termite and moisture damage caused by high levels of humidity.
The team began re-sheathing 2,020 square feet of exterior walls as well as installing trim-work. They also framed and trimmed out eight windows that house air conditioning units and began re-sheathing 1,025 square feet of interior walls. A complete renovation of the roof was necessary due to years of moisture damage. CAT personnel remained in the house during renovation, making the project more difficult.
While working through daily rain storms and sweltering heat, Team 3 put up 3,000 square feet of new corrugated roof tin, and 900 square feet of new flashing providing a weatherized and structurally improved facility.
JSOTF-P Team 3 is already preparing for new humanitarian aid projects that include building new schools, community buildings, and residential housing that will support the mission of the Task Force as they finish up with the Civil Affairs Team house.
JSOTF-P Det. helped to foster a relationship between the people of two countries working to improve the lives of many. This gives true bearing to the old Seabee adage: "With skillful hands and helpful hearts, the difficult we do at once, and the impossible may take a little longer."
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