Photo By Lt. Kelli Roesch | Petty Officer 3rd Class Petty Officer Thomas Barnes, builder, a native of Paris, Ill.,...... read more read more
AL BASRA OIL TERMINAL - Working 14-16 hours a day, seven days a week in tough conditions is nothing new for U.S. Navy Seabees. Even exotic locations don't raise an eyebrow for the Navy's Construction Battalions who travel to the far corners of the world building everything from schools to bridges to airport runways.
However, for the Seabees of Naval Mobile Construction Battalion Eleven, from Gulfport, Miss., working on the Al Basra Oil Terminal off the coast of Iraq in the North Persian Gulf, is not just another deployment, it's an adventure.
U.S. forces have maintained a presence in the North Persian Gulf since 2003, assisting the Iraqi navy by helping provide security to their oil platforms, which account for approximately 85 percent of Iraq's revenue.
Steelworker Chief (SCW) Donna M. Snow, officer in charge of the NMCB 11 Navy Central Command Detachment, believes their mission is important for several reasons.
"The work the Seabees aboard ABOT are accomplishing directly supports Operation Iraqi Freedom by improving the living conditions aboard ABOT," Snow said. "By providing these creature comforts, the U.S. and coalition forces are able to focus on training the Iraqi sailors and Marines."
Capt. Karl Van Deusen, commander, Combined Task Force 55, who is responsible for helping provide security to the Iraqi oil platforms, said the Seabees have made a big difference in the quality of life for Sailors serving aboard ABOT.
"Their work has greatly enhanced quality of life here and made a better environment for all U.S. and coalition forces on board the oil terminal," he said. "The Seabees can-do attitude is contagious and allows us to focus on the mission of providing security and training Iraqi sailors and Marines."
The difficulty in all of the improvements is procuring supplies, as there is no store to run to for a needed tool and no replacement parts for damaged equipment. Everything needed for their work, every bolt, paint brush, saw and chisel, must be ordered and transported to the site via small boat.
Some improvements are immediately noticeable to Sailors living there. Seabees refurbished 43 sleeping areas and four restrooms providing upgrades in basic living conditions.
Bringing in more washing machines and dryers, putting them in convenient locations, and re-routing pipes and fittings to accommodate the change makes life on ABOT feel more like home.
More upgrades included adding a new 859 foot section to the dining area. The work also included demolishing and reconstructing the existing structure even as kitchen personnel continued to provide several hot meals a day.
Seabees also constructed a covered outdoor multipurpose area allowing for meetings, a place to eat and a covered deck for workers to play cards or talk, making a big difference in the overall quality of life.
New paneling was placed in the 500 square foot Morale, Welfare and Recreation room enabling U.S. and coalition forces to relax and watch movies in a comfortable environment.
Since staying connected is a priority for anyone separated from their families, Seabees designed and constructed a 200 square foot internet café with six computers and individual work stations, allowing U.S. and coalition forces to communicate back-home on a regular basis. According to Snow, the value of the $500,000 in upgrades goes beyond the monetary costs.
"The amount and quality of work that the Seabees have produced falls right into what they have been doing since their birth in 1942," she said. "They took the impossible tasking and while producing quality construction, they made it look effortless."
Lt. Jeffery Turner, officer in charge of NMCB 3, DET Kuwait, had an opportunity to witness the work being done during a recent pre-deployment site survey tour and was impressed with what he saw.
"This is a dynamic mission that tasks Seabees' capabilities with doing the impossible with nothing," he said. "NMCB11 has done a phenomenal job with the mission to improve the quality of life to those who support the sustainment of the oil platforms. Seabees have a great working relationship with the coalition forces as we all work together with the Iraqi's to be self sufficient."
The U.S. Navy will continue to conduct Maritime Security Operations in the North Persian Gulf and provide assistance as requested. MSO help set the conditions for security, which promotes stability and prosperity in the North Persian Gulf. These operations protect Iraq's sea-based infrastructure.
| Date Taken: | 06.17.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 06.17.2009 04:59 |
| Story ID: | 35201 |
| Location: | ABOARD AL BASRA OIL TERMINAL, USCENTCOM, AT SEA |
| Web Views: | 512 |
| Downloads: | 443 |
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