Seabees coordinate boat ramp design with Navy Riverine Squadron, Rivron One, Detachment One in Iraq

Courtesy Photo | Petty Officer 3rd Class Jayna Long, engineering aide, Petty Officer 1st Class Thomas Fallis, equipment operator, and Ensign Donald Bowen, prepare for a convoy to Lake Thar Thar to assess the location of a new boat ramp April 11, 2009.  

AL ASAD, IRAQ

05.27.2009

Courtesy Story

Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 24

AL ASAD, Iraq — Navy Mobile Construction Battalion 24, a Navy Reserve Battalion deployed to Al Asad, Iraq, was tasked to design and construct a boat ramp at Lake Thar Thar, Iraq. The Navy's active duty Riverine Squadron, RIVRON One, Detachment One, assigned to Navy Expeditionary Combat Command, has been in need of the more suitable ramp.

The Riverine Squadron is one of several units in recent years that were revived by the Navy since the Vietnam War. Last year, RIVRON One, Detachment One, immediately redeployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, after completing their first tour to Iraq in 2007.

Navy Expeditionary Combat Command's Riverine squadrons are considered members of the "brown-water" Navy, patrolling inland waters versus the vast open oceans. RIVRON One Detachment One's main tasking is to assist coalition forces with securing the local Thar Thar Lake Dam and to provide the local Iraqi police with patrol boat training.

NMCB 24 was tasked to design and build a boat ramp at Lake Thar Thar due to the fact that a drought has caused the water's edge to recede, leaving only mud at the shoreline. This recession hinders the ability to launch the high-speed Small Unit River Craft utilized by the riverine unit. The SURC, used to patrol Lake Thar Thar, is a heavy water craft, even without the added gear and personnel. Mud, low water levels, boat size and weight are all of the factors that challenge RIVRON One.

NMCB 24's team convoyed to Lake Thar Thar to conduct an initial assessment of the site. Once security was established at the site, Engineering Aide 3rd Class Jayna Long, Equipment Operator 1st Class Thomas Fallis, and Ensign Donald Bowen of NMCB 24 immediately began their assessment to locate the best location to construct the ramp. Fallis and Bowen walked the site with LT Eric Debolt of RIVRON One, determining possible sites, while Long worked on soil compaction testing in these areas. All assessment information gathered led to the need for NMCB 24 to construct a dirt road, turnaround area, and boat ramp.
DeBolt stated that, "Anything the Seabees feel can be built here is better than what we have today."

The Seabee's of NMCB 24 assessed the situation facing RIVRON One, found a suitable location for a ramp, and will begin the construction upon final approval of the engineering plans.

• Date Taken: 05.27.2009
• Date Posted: 05.27.2009 04:12
• Story ID: 34135
• Location: AL ASAD, IQ