NMCB-5’s Detail Diego Garcia Finishes Work on Munitions Pad

Photo By Petty Officer 2nd Class Bethann Crotchett | 200116-N-XK887-0337 DIEGO GARCIA, British Indian Ocean Territory (Jan. 16, 2020) Construction Electrician Constructionman George Feldmann, from Cincinnati, deployed with Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 5’s Detail Diego Garcia, moves a piece of formwork for a concrete sidewalk that will connect munition pads and allow easier forklift access when moving ammunitions between buildings on the island. NMCB-5 is deployed across the Indo-Pacific region conducting high quality construction to support U.S. and partner nations to strengthen partnerships, deter aggression, and enable expeditionary logistics and naval power projection. (U.S. Navy photo by Utilitiesman Constructionman Allison Legrand/Released)  

DIEGO GARCIA, BRITISH INDIAN OCEAN TERRITORY

01.31.2020

Story by Petty Officer 2nd Class Bethann Crotchett 

Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 5

Story by Builder Second Class Bethann Crotchett

DIEGO GARCIA, British Indian Ocean Territory - U.S. Navy Seabees deployed with Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 5’s Detail Diego Garcia completed construction on a project to extend a sidewalk for Navy munitions storage on board Naval Support Facility (NSF) Diego Garcia Jan. 31.

While construction was underway, Seabees with NMCB-5 solidified partnerships with other service members on the island by working closely with aviation ordnancemen assigned to Naval Munitions Command, East Asia Division Detachment Okinawa, deployed to Diego Garcia.

The project also allowed the Seabees to hone in on their horizontal construction skills. Mastering their ability to complete high-quality horizontal construction readies them for major combat operations (MCO) such as building airfields, roads, and bridges to support operating forces.

“I think this project really allowed an opportunity for growth,” said Steelworker 2nd Class Elizabeth Auten. “It was another chance for us to develop our relationships with other people on the island, too.”

The completed sidewalk extension allows for easy access between facilities and is the fourth project the Seabees at Detail Diego Garcia have undertaken during this deployment. The work the detail has completed increases operational readiness of the units on the island and strengthens the relationship between NMCB-5 and adjacent forces.

This project provided valuable management experience for many members of the detachment, allowing some of the newest members of the Naval Construction Force (NCF) to step into crew lead positions and project supervisory roles, better preparing them for futures within the NCF.

“Everyone experiences growing pains, but this project was a great way to ease the crew into project management positions,” said Steelworker 2nd Class Konnor Everett.

NMCB-5 is deployed across the Indo-Pacific region conducting high-quality construction to support U.S. and partner nations to strengthen partnerships, deter aggression, and enable expeditionary logistics and naval power projection. The battalion stands ready to support Humanitarian Aid/Disaster Relief and MCO throughout the region.

• Date Taken: 01.31.2020
• Date Posted: 03.01.2020 03:18
• Story ID: 364224
• Location: DIEGO GARCIA, IO