By MCC Kim Martinez, NMCB 1 Public Affairs
The final group of delayed party Seabees from NMCB 1 are greeting by loved ones as they return to their homeport, Naval Construction Battalion Center (NCBC) Gulfport, Miss., Aug. 23, from a six-month deployment. Photos by MCC Kim Martinez
The final group of delayed party Seabees from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 1 returned to their homeport, Naval Construction Battalion Center (NCBC) Gulfport, Miss., Aug. 24, from a regularly six-month deployment.
NMCB 1 deployed 270 Seabees in February 2014, to 12 detail sites throughout the United States and Southeast Asia; in May 2014, the battalion mobilized several hundred additional Bees to support ongoing deployment operations globally. Capt. James Meyer, commodore, 30
th Naval Construction Regiment, lauded the men and women of NMCB 1 on their efforts both in the U.S. and 7
th Fleet.
You should be proud of the work you did in support of one of the most demanding of NCF missions, said Meyer. Having initially deployed as a battalion minus under financial constraints across the largest combatant command s area of responsibility and operating independently in eight different countries, NMCB 1 provided commendable support to our supported commanders. Your ability to meet strategic and operational objectives advanced the cause of the Seabees in the Pacific!
During its unique six-month deployment, NMCB 1 worked alongside armed and defense forces from many countries.
Stellar coordination efforts between U.S. and Royal Cambodian Armed Forces
led to an improved joint relationship and completion of three high-quality maternity wards capable of providing care to more than 40,000 people in impoverished and remote areas of Cambodia, said Meyer.
In Timor Leste, the Bees completed a Ministry of Health Railaco Lenten community health post project, resulting in increased medical treatment for 6,000 people in five austere villages.
In addition to operating at three Civic Construction Action Detail sites, participating in multi-lateral exercises and operating hubs in Okinawa, Guam and Gulfport, NMCB 1 weathered two natural disasters in Okinawa, participated in Cooperation Readiness Afloat 2014 during a coup in Thailand and changed commanding officers in June 2014.
During its state-side operations, the battalion played a crucial role in establishing operational details in San Clemente and China Lake, Calif. In China Lake, NMCB 1 placed more than 3,100 cubic yards of concrete for a parking apron project overcoming design modifications and a shortened construction schedule.
"Our Sailors can be justly proud of their work across a dispersed and changing deployment. From Cambodia to China Lake, and everywhere in between, our Seabees executed superb construction support across the Pacific Area of Responsibility," said NMCB 1 Commanding Officer, Cmdr. Kemit Spears. "Through our global partnerships, our efforts helped develop strong partnerships, grounded in trust with our partner nations and helped carry on the Naval Construction Force's legacy. I couldn't be more proud of my Sailor's accomplishments and perseverance throughout this deployment and thank our families and friends for their unwavering support."
NMCB 1 provides combat-ready engineer forces in response to Combatant Commander and Naval Component Commander requirements, and provides planning and operational support for Seabee employment.
Photos by MCC Kim Martinez