By MC1 Class Brannon Deugan, NMCB 1 Public Affairs
BU3 Justin Weeks, assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 1, Construction Civic Action Detail (CCAD) Marshall Islands, places a bolt in support beams for a pre-engineered building project in support of U.S. Army Garrison Kwajalein Atoll Public Works Department on the island of Kwajalein, Marshall Islands, Sept. 16, 2015. CCAD Marshall Islands is providing humanitarian aid to the Republic of Marshall Islands. (U.S. Navy photo by Utilitiesman Constructionman Kelsey Kylberg/150916-N-UD070-13)
Public Works Department (PWD) employees of U.S. Garrison Kwajalein Atoll (USAG-KA) and U.S. Navy Seabees assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 1 Construction Civic Action Detail (CCAD) Marshall Islands are constructing a pre-engineered building on Kwajalein Atoll, Marshall Islands.
The pre-engineered building will be a steel-framed warehouse for general storage of essential building materials and valuable tools.
The project also strengthens the relationship between Seabees and USAG-KA.
The warehouse project is important for NMCB 1 because it is enhancing the relationship with the USAG-KA Garrison, locals of Kwajalein Atoll, and it demonstrates the capabilities of the Seabees, said Lt. j.g. Cory Devonis, officer in charge of CCAD Marshall Islands. The final product will be a storage facility for the USAG-KA, and since the island has limited space and the environment is extremely corrosive, this warehouse will be able to provide shelter for whatever material or equipment the base puts in it.
The pre-engineered building is a large project requiring teamwork, while sharpening professional skills.
Working on this project has allowed me to put my technical know-how to use, since a lot of the work is based on putting pieces together, said Builder 3rd Class Justin Weeks, from Gulfport, Mississippi. I also enjoy working as a team; many of the pieces are large, so we need to cooperate to get the work done.
NMCB 1 Seabees working alongside the PWD journeymen of the USAG-KA are able to exchange experiences and culture.
This project provides both a unique opportunity for Seabees to showcase their capabilities and gain critical, career enhancing, hands on experience and to work alongside locals, said Devonis. Thus, enhancing the skills and quality NMCB 1 while acquiring a unique perspective of culture and work ethic in the Marshall Islands.
NMCB 1 is a Seabee battalion that specializes in contingency construction, disaster response, and humanitarian assistance. The battalion's homeport is in Gulfport, Mississippi.
The Naval Construction Force is a vital component of the U.S. maritime strategy. It offers deployable battalions capable of providing contingency construction, disaster preparation and recovery support, humanitarian assistance, and combat operations support.