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Reserve Seabee Project Improves Naval Base Operations

Navy News Service

Story Number: NNS120524-17
5/24/2012

By Lisa Rama, Naval Station Newport Public Affairs

NEWPORT, R.I. (NNS) -- Naval Station (NAVSTA) Newport's newest facility is opening, May 25, resulting in improved base operations and efficiencies.

Members of Navy Reserve Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 21, Lakehurst, N.J. tightened the final screws and finished off the drainage ditches on the new road material storage bin located at Coddington Cove, Naval Station Newport.

The new storage bin consists of six separate spaces under a corrugated roof where road materials, such as asphalt, stone, sand and loom, will be placed for use around the installation by public works personnel and grounds maintenance crews. The new storage bin replaces a much smaller unit that had deteriorated.

The project is much different than any other currently taking place on the installation. It was done completely by Navy Reserve Seabees and undertaken as a training opportunity for the battalion.

Work began last summer with an initial site visit by Construction Electrician 1st Class Darren Williamson, NMCB 21 site supervisor for the project. Williamson was put on orders to report to NAVSTA Newport and served as the full time site manager overseeing crews consisting of an average of 10 Seabees per team who would arrive on site for two-week intervals.

The project was designed and submitted by Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Newport to the Seabees for consideration on a "call to work" list. The lists are compiled by public works officers throughout the U.S. for consideration as training opportunities for various Navy Reserve Seabee units.

"This was an ideal project because it was not time sensitive," said Gary Ferreira, Naval Station Newport Public Works manager, who was at the site congratulating the crew last week.

"When we first put in for this project, I was a bit apprehensive because I wasn't sure how they were going to manage a revolving crew. I could not be happier with the way this turned out," he said.

Williamson began supervising crews arriving for the work last July, August and September. Work stopped in October 2011 due to operational issues and weather. Construction resumed again in early March 2012 with the largest crew of 19 Seabees arriving May 13 to wrap it up.

Williamson and most of the other members of NMCB 21 had returned from recent deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan just prior to starting this job last summer. It served as a good transition for many members of the unit and allowed them to improve or keep their skills fresh while also reintegrating with their families and full time civilian jobs.

"Each of the Seabees who participated in this project received training that will be documented on their records back at the command," said Williamson.

The total amount of crew members for the project was 65. The work involved many of the basic construction tasks Seabees are called upon to perform while on deployments. They dug footings, laid rebar, poured the foundation, worked with heavy timber construction and steel corrugated roofing.

"This was a win-win for the Navy," said Public Works Officer Cmdr. Gregor Bo.

"We were able to provide some valuable training for the Sailors while gaining a much improved storage bin that will reduce our waste and improve our operations," he said.

In addition to the NAVFAC project onboard NAVSTA Newport, the Seabees actively engaged in volunteer projects at the Rhode Island Veterans Home and were instrumental in that project's success! "Can Do!"