KANDAHAR PROVINCE, Afghanistan – Seabees assigned to U.S. Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 7 continue strategic construction operations at Forward Operating Base (FOB) Pasab in the Task Force Fury Area of Operations, enhancing mission readiness for Task Force units and making an impact on the development of Afghan forces in the region.
The Seabees of NMCB 7 Detail Pasab have spent their 2012 deployment focusing on large scale tactical infrastructure support projects, FOB force protection and quality of life improvements, Afghan National Security Forces support and incident response projects; making a tremendous impact on FOB Pasab and operations throughout the Zharay district of southern Afghanistan.
During its tenure at FOB Pasab, the Detail has completed multiple high impact projects, including the renovation of one of two FOB dining facilities (DFACs) to correct health and safety issues and ensure the DFAC is to up to standards and able to receive contracted support services; placement of a 10-foot by 132-foot reinforced concrete path connecting a previously completed maintenance pad and an airstrip used for unmanned aerial surveillance assets; construction of an air traffic control tower at the FOB’s helicopter landing zone to allow for improved monitoring and coordination between UAS assets and helicopters at one of the region’s busiest transportation hubs; site preparation operations in support of the installation of incinerators designed to reduce the environmental impact of refuse disposal on a FOB serving over 4,500 tenants; and the construction of a 30-foot by 32-foot facility designed to house the FOB IT Department trouble desk, which was fully constructed in seven days.
“We had a very high impact on this base,” said Equipment Operator Constructionman Matthew Loper of Charlevoix, Mich. “We not only helped in support of the army, but helped increase the quality of life for the ANA, which I personally enjoyed the most, because it made me feel like I was giving something of value that would be standing after I had left.” TFF staff has noticed the impact of Seabee work on and around the FOB as well. Brigade Engineer CPT Bryan Stange, who has worked with the Seabees to plan and execute construction tasking in support of the TFF mission, said “Over the past three months, NMCB7 Detail Pasab has been instrumental in providing Engineer support during TF Fury's RIP/TOA and setting conditions for TF Fury success in the future. The fine work of the Seabees was in high demand the entire time, from small projects around the FOB to major infrastructure renovations. The Seabees always delivered the highest of quality products, even under restricted time constraints for planning and execution.”
The benefit of Seabee work on FOB Pasab has not been limited to TFF units. A crew of three Seabees led by Builder 3rd Class Joshua Messer of Houston, Texas, constructed a roof for an ANA medical compound on the FOB, significantly increasing the clinic’s capacity to provide emergency care for patients wounded during ANA operations in the region. Additionally, Builder 2nd Class Dina Beale of Niceville, Fla., led a crew in the construction of a roof over a contractor waiting area at the FOB Biometrics compound allowing Afghans and non DoD contractors a shaded waiting area for use during the base check-in and screening process.
Outside the FOB, the Seabees of Detail Pasab provided incident response support for a combat outpost in the TFF AO after an insider attack left a security tower damaged and the COP Fire Direction Center destroyed. The Seabee incident response crew, led by Builder 3rd Class Nathaniel Callaham of Henagar, Ala., built a 12-foot by 16-foot FDC and conducted tower and bunker repairs well under the required timeline, restoring full operational and force protection capability to the COP.
At the Zharay district Chief of Police Headquarters, Detail Pasab Seabees again contributed to strengthening the partnering mission between coalition force and ANSF by constructing a blast resistant operations center in the headquarters building, providing a secure location for members of the US led Stability Transition Team and Zharay district Police leaders to effectively plan and execute law enforcement operations throughout the district in an effort to strengthen and maintain law and order in the region during the AO wide transition to Afghan led operations. “It was a great chance to step out of the box and contribute to the efforts here in Afghanistan,” said Constructionman Electrician 3rd Class Danny Hartless. “As for the chance to work out at the DCOP, it was a great opportunity to interact with the men that will help keep the Afghan people safe into the future.”
As NMCB 7 wraps up a successful CENTCOM deployment this summer, the Seabees of Detail Pasab will depart the FOB marking an end to a long period of Seabee support for Army Brigades operating in the Zharay and Maiwand districts; leaving behind a legacy of quality contingency construction and contributions to mission accomplishment representative of the “can do” spirit Seabees bring to the fight.
NMCB 7 deployed to the Combined Joint Operations Area – Afghanistan, from its homeport of Gulfport, Miss. Jan. 9, to provide a highly responsive and maneuverable engineer force and resources to conduct contingency, mobility and general engineering support operations across supported commander’s lines of operation throughout CENTCOM, to improve the operational capabilities of coalition forces.
NMCB 7, often referred to as the “MAGNIFICENT SEVEN”, is one of the original 10 Seabee battalions authorized by the Chief of the Navy’s Bureau of Yards and Docks, in 1942, and is currently one of nine active NMCBs in the Naval Construction Force, a military engineering force of nearly 17,000 Active and Reserve Component Seabees operating worldwide. Upon completion of their current deployment, NMCB 7 will decommission on Sep. 30 as part of the Fiscal Year 2012 force reduction plan.
| Date Taken: | 06.01.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 06.01.2012 03:09 |
| Story ID: | 89279 |
| Location: | AF |
| Web Views: | 2,047 |
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