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Seabees 'Can Do' for Pacific Partnership 2012

Navy News Service

Story Number: NNS120523-11
5/23/2012

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Kristopher Regan, Navy Public Affairs Support Element West

USNS MERCY, At Sea (NNS) -- Seabees from Amphibious Construction Battalion 1 out of Coronado, Calif. joined the Pacific Partnership 2012 (PP12) team to support engineering and civic-action projects in Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam and Cambodia during the five-month deployment.

"In each of the four host countries, we have two to four engineering civic action projects, and two engineering subject matter expert exchanges," said Lt. Phillip Hamrock, Amphibious Construction Battalion 1's mission commander. "In each of these countries we'll have anywhere from 40 to 50 people working on each of these construction projects."

The planning for the upcoming civic-action projects and engineering, subject-matter expert exchanges started months prior to the start of the deployment and included multiple predeployment site surveys to each of the host nations to access what was needed, and what could be provided.

"We went to the actual towns and villages. We met and spoke with local leaders. We carefully assessed what projects were requested with what our capabilities would be to provide services that would leave a lasting impact in the community for many years to come," said Hamrock.

The Seabee team will provide engineering assistance with building and renovating medical facilities, schools, digging water wells and helping out wherever their skill sets are needed.

"We've brought enough tools for just about anything we might encounter," said Chief Construction Mechanic Scott Balius, sailing echelon assistant officer in charge.

According to Balius, the Seabees have equipment ranging from carpentry tools to mechanic supplies in case there and have the capabilities to work on a wide-range of jobs.

"It's an awesome mission," said Balius. "It's something Seabees do when we're not out fighting the fight. We go out and rebuild schools, clinics, and build water wells to provide fresh water to areas that are very remote and typically would not have these types of things."

"It's really cool having my first deployment be a humanitarian mission," said Equipment Operator Constructionman Cody Askey. "It's going to be a great experience."

Pacific Partnership 2012 is the seventh in a series of an annual U.S. Pacific Fleet humanitarian and civic assistance mission designed to work by, with and through host and partner nations, non-government organizations and international agencies to build partnerships and a collective ability to respond to natural disasters.