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NMCB 40, Australian Defense Force Combine Forces During Pacific Partnership

Navy News Service

Story Number: NNS120725-02
7/25/2012

By Chief Builder Jonathan D. Eisfelder, Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 40 Public Affairs

TALAUD, Indonesia (NNS) -- Seabees from U.S. Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 40 completed a 45-day construction mission, July 3, in Talaud, Indonesia, as part of Pacific Partnership 2012 (PP12).

PP12 is an annual joint humanitarian exercise designed to train involved countries to prepare for natural disasters, and foster relationships required to accomplish future endeavors.

The Seabees had a complex mission of constructing two new block buildings designed as an emergency room (ER) and a pharmacy. Additionally, the Seabees rehabilitated the current dilapidated facilities used to administer medical support to thousands of local residents.

"The prior facilities that were being used as the ER just weren't suitable for emergencies, especially since most cases were vehicle related and usually patients arrive in two's and three's needing lots of room to properly care for them," said Dr. Yanny Sasube, the head doctor of the Puskesmas clinic.

Not only did the clinics get two new facilities, their current buildings received a face lift, aiding the 37 staff members to achieve their goal of delivering the best quality care to local residents. NMCB 40, the Australian Defense Force, and the Indonesian Army worked hand-in-hand to install 40 new light fixtures, replace 6,000 square feet of drywall, replaced 27 doors with hardware, replaced the plumbing system to deliver fresh water, and fixed four toilets.

Engineering Aid 3rd Class Kyle Jeffreys said it is exciting to use obtained skills to help people who are not able to do it themselves. "I would like to keep doing these types of missions," Jeffreys said when asked about his efforts during this mission.

Also in need of much repair was the local elementary school in Beo. The students had no running water except for a 30-foot well and a bucket on a rope.

Utilitiesman 2nd Class Michael Stahl directed a crew of six to construct a 15-foot steel tower to support a 250-gallon water tank, and installed a new water pump with 300 linear feet of Polyvinyl Choride (PVC) pipe. By the time the project was complete, the school had running water for two toilets, four sinks, and two exterior water sources. The crew also installed a French drain below the sinks to aid in the dispersion of the used water to prevent a future health risk.

With mission accomplished, the Seabees returned to Okinawa, Japan, to prepare for their re-deployment to Port Hueneme, Calif. Even though the Seabees have departed Indonesia, their efforts will affect thousands of men, women, and children on the island of Talaud for years to come.

NMCB 40 is the Naval Construction Force's 2011 Pacific Fleet Battle "E" and Peltier Award wining Seabee Battalion. Fighting 40 deployment locations included Okinawa, Sasebo, and Yokosuka, Japan, Guam, Korea, the Philippines, Cambodia, Thailand, Timor Leste, Diego Garcia, and Palau.