US Navy Seabees with NMCB-5 Assist Pacific Air Forces

Photo By Seaman Raheem Dayee | 211115-N-YM570-1001 DIEGO GARCIA, British Indian Ocean Territory (Nov. 15, 2021) Builder Constructionman James Wetling and Construction Electrician 2nd Class Lisa Sperhake, with Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 5, perform maintenance on a precision approach path indicator light system in Diego Garcia. The U.S. Navy Seabees assigned to NMCB-5 are deployed to the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations, supporting a free and open Indo-Pacific, strengthening their alliances and partnerships, and providing general engineering and civil support to joint operational forces. Homeported out of Port Hueneme, California, NMCB-5 has 13 detail sites deployed throughout the U.S and Indo-Pacific area of operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Builder Constructionman Raheem Dayee)  

DIEGO GARCIA, BRITISH INDIAN OCEAN TERRITORY

11.15.2021

Story by Seaman Raheem Dayee 

Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 5

U.S. Navy Seabees assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 5 supported air operations with critical maintenance for Pacific Air Forces onboard Naval Support Facility (NSF) Diego Garcia, Nov. 15.
The Seabees performed maintenance on Diego Garcia’s airfield precision approach path indicator (PAPI) light systems, valued at $500,000.

“NMCB-5 helped us at a critical time where we were in a very tight time crunch. And due to their help, we were able to continue critical, very high visibility flight operations throughout the region,” said Aviation Boatswain Mate 1st Class Juan Coello, an air operations aircraft handler with NSF Diego Garica.

They replaced old and rusted bolts and brackets while ensuring the PAPI maintained proper glide slope indication allowing for safe landing during night operations.

“It was exciting getting to do this important work out at the airfield knowing that NMCB-5 Seabees were the reason the airfield could continue with their night operations,” said Construction Electrician 2nd class Lisa Sperhake.

The maintenance the Seabees performed helped certify the airfield for the next year, so NSF Diego Garcia and tenant commands can continue to conduct night operations and instrument flights per Federal Aviation Administration regulations.

NMCB-5 is deployed to the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations, supporting a free and open Indo-Pacific, strengthening their network of alliances and partnerships, and providing general engineering and civil support to joint operational forces. Homeported out of Port Hueneme, California, NMCB-5 has 13 detail sites deployed throughout the U.S. and Indo-Pacific area of operations.

• Date Taken: 11.15.2021
• Date Posted: 12.09.2021 20:28
• Story ID: 410857
• Location: DIEGO GARCIA, IO