Photo By Chief Petty Officer Michael Lindsey | Seabees assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 74, Detail Payne, ensure...... read more read more
The Seabees of Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 74 are faithfully following in the footsteps of Naval Construction Force history as they prepare the way for the war fighters of Operation Enduring Freedom, just as the Seabees have been doing since their inception during World War II.
Although NMCB 74 maintains a 21 acre main body site in the Helmand Province of Afghanistan on Camp Leatherneck, construction support is required throughout the country. In order to support the mission of OEF in Afghanistan, the battalion dispatches details which support remote operations by constructing facilities that increase efficiency.
A detail's primary mission is to improve conditions of forward operating bases and command outposts. They accomplish the mission by forming secure perimeter berms and guard posts, forming foundation pads, building wood structures and creating roads that ease travel.
"We are there to establish first, initial operational capability, and then final operating capability of the FOB. That includes putting [Marines] in structures that can withstand the weather, building up the roads so they can maintain mobility on their FOBs, and establishing freedom of movement in the FOB," said Operations Officer Lt. Cmdr. Omarr Tobias.
Planning is paramount for successful construction operations at detachment sites. Often many miles must be traveled to deliver equipment and materials from the main body site to a detail, and according to Petty Officer 1st Class David Fahy, Detail Payne assistant operations officer and a project supervisor, if you run short on something you are pretty much out of luck.
"Lots of planning is involved. We have to get the materials and tools there so we can build, the equipment there so we can work, and the people and the life support for the people there, including tents, generators and environmental control units so we can live. It all requires planning; loading, moving, and security to get there and back," said Tobias.
Seabees have traditionally gone ahead of combatant troops to prepare an area where an offensive can be launched easily and effectively, and while they themselves are trained and focused on defensive combat Seabees demonstrate a respect and appreciation for those who take the fight to the enemy. That appreciation is expressed through the quality of their construction.
"This was doing work for the Marines who were actually out there, war fighters, trigger pullers. It was great. They were very happy with the results, very happy about us being there, and constantly commenting on the high quality of work we were doing. It was a very rewarding process working and doing jobs for somebody who really had a high profile, and meant a lot to upgrade their operations," said Engineering Aid 2nd Class Erik Kennerson, Detail Geronimo and lead surveyor and quality control supervisor.
Although improving conditions at a FOB or COP for ease of combat operations is a detail's primary mission, improving quality of life for the service members using the facility is important as well. Having comfortable facilities in which to eat and sleep, make a phone call home, or just relax while playing a game can go a long way toward sustaining the morale of the Marines returning from the front lines.
"This is going to be like Leatherneck for a lot of the Marines; a place to come back after being out in the field where there is a nice berthing, phone and recreational facilities, and a dining facility to have a nice hot meal. We're in direct support of that by throwing gravel on the road, getting them out of the moon dust, and prepping the [foundation] pad. Building the wooden structures [for the Marines] is a lot nicer than them living in a tent," said Chief Petty Officer Joseph Johnson, Detail Payne assistant officer-in-charge and operations officer. "We are supporting the war fighter by building these nice facilities, giving them a nice place to enjoy some luxuries."
Construction operations for a detail in a remote area can be quite different and inherently more dangerous than operations at the main body site due to its small size and close proximity to hostile forces. According to Petty Officer 3rd Class Dennis Dardano, a Detail Fiddler's Green crew member, the FOB perimeter seems almost close enough to spit on no matter where you are working. Situational awareness is paramount and a security plan is always in place.
It takes planning not only get a detail to a project site and carry out the mission safely, and it takes planning to get one back safely as well. Tobias states that his plan for their safe return and the return home of the battalion as a whole, is more than just a plan; it is a mission.
"My mission is to finish the deployment strong and bring everyone home with 10 fingers and 10 toes, sound mind and body, just the way we left," said Tobias.
| Date Taken: | 02.06.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 02.18.2010 19:29 |
| Story ID: | 45538 |
| Location: | HELMAND PROVINCE, AF |
| Web Views: | 428 |
| Downloads: | 262 |
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