By MC1 Brannon Deugan, NMCB 1 Public Affairs
BUCA Samantha Besler (left) and UTCN Kelsey Kylberg, NMCB 1, set up and tie the rebar foundation of a road-patching project in support of the U.S. Garrison on Kwajalein Atoll Public Works Department, Kwajalein, Republic of Marshall Islands, Oct. 6. (Photo by HM2 Isaac P.Cajinas/151006-N-ZZ999-222)
Seabees assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 1 performed concrete patchwork to a pier road in Kwajalein, Republic of Marshall Islands, Oct. 6. Members of the NMCB 1 detail worked alongside local Marshallese workforce to repair the high traffic road that leads from the pier to the 1.2-square-mile island of Kwajalein.
Having the Seabees of NMCB 1 is great because they bring much-needed help to us. I really enjoy their work ethic, and I am always impressed, said Dan Tipples, construction foreman/supervisor. By fixing the road we allow the T-Rex (a cargo-carrying vehicle) access and help get some of these containers unloaded or loaded.
The patching of the pier road improves the process for loading and unloading docked ships while allowing for safe transportation of equipment and goods from the pier to the community.
This is beneficial for the community because this road is the key access point to the pier, and heavy equipment is used to load and offload the ships docked, including materials, equipment and consumables, said Lt. j.g. Cory Devonis, officer in charge for the detail in Marshall Islands. Repairing the road increases the safety of equipment, buildings, materials and, most importantly, personnel.
The NMCB 1 Bees who have stepped up to the challenge of completing the patchwork have not only contributed to the project, but have also sharpened their skills and learn from the experience.
I have been cutting and tying rebar, and hopefully I ll also get to place some concrete, said Utilitiesman Constructionman Kelsey Kylberg, NMCB 1. Not the typical thing I am used to doing, but I enjoy the fresh air and learning something new.
NMCB 1 is a Seabee battalion that specializes in contingency construction, disaster response and humanitarian assistance. The battalion's homeport is in Gulfport, Miss.
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.