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NMCB 133 Seabees Complete First Joint Project in Timor-Leste

Navy News Service

Story Number: NNS110907-02
9/7/2011

By Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Bryan Clarke, Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 133 Public Affairs

DILI, Timor-Leste (NNS) -- U.S. Navy Seabees from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 133's Detail Timor-Leste celebrated the completion of their first joint project to date at a ribbon-cutting ceremony in the town of Port Hera Aug. 24.

The ceremony at the Port Hera School House was attended by local dignitaries, the Chief of Timorese Defense Forces, Chief of Timorese Naval Operations, and the U.S. Embassy's chargé d'affaires.

"I look at this building- and from these doors, thirty years from now, I see a future General or President coming through," said Maj. Gen. Taur Matan Ruak, Chief of Timorese Defense Forces. "This is for the future of Timor-Leste."

Since the project's start March 21, Construction Electrician Second Class Justin Urban and Builder Third Class Justin March led a crew of ten Seabees along with augments from the Timor-Leste Defense Force (F-FDTL) and a component of Australian engineers in a complete demolition and rebuild of the school house.

"Since this was my first time leading a crew, it was most definitely a learning experience," said March. "The beginning was slow to start due to the weather, but in the end, working late nights and sometimes not getting back [to camp] until 1 a.m., helped us to finish the project. It was a good chance for us to give to the community who had so little. I think the kids will be happier with the new, safe learning environment that we provided."

In the beginning, the existing structure was in extreme disrepair and crumbled quickly, but that seemed to be the only break the crew would get. Five weeks of rain cause miserable conditions that forced delays as the section of the site needing soil compaction was too wet for construction equipment to maneuver. As a result, fill material had to be trucked in from various locations on the island to help stabilize the area.

In addition, long lead times for materials and other projects running simultaneously were among the significant logistical challenges the Seabees faced. In its entirety the project totaled 780 man days and featured an 87' by 23' building consisting of 4,000 concrete masonry units (CMU's), 105 cubic meters of concrete, complete plumbing and electricity.

However, the crew came together, some with little or no block laying experience, to contribute to yet another milestone in the growing list of success stories in Timor-Leste. Even through the difficult times, the crew retained a strong focus on the significance of their work.

"The Hera crew has done an exceptional job in mentoring their F-FDTL counterparts in new construction skills and techniques," said Ensign Ryan Evans, Det. Timor-Leste's liaison officer to the Timorese community. "This capacity-building relationship is the single most important ingredient for the sustainability of our mission here. "

NMCB 133 Seabees are in Timor-Leste supporting the Navy's Maritime Strategy by developing interoperability among partner nations and building long term relationships that contribute to stability in the region.