ByMC1 Michael Barton, NMCB 11 Public Affairs
BU2Remie Acosta of Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 11 helps Guamanian student Mark Morales paint a handprint on the new "Buddy Bench" at Chief Brodie Elementary School in Tamuning, Guam, Feb. 13, 2015. Six Seabees donated the bench and helped students decorate it as part of the "Buddy Bench" project, an international program dedicated to eliminating loneliness and promoting new friendships on school playgrounds. (U.S. Navy photo by Ensign Frances Hunter/150213-N-HC897-031)
The Navy Community Service Program announced Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 11 as winner of the 2015 Navy-wide Project Good Neighbor Community Service Flag Award in the large sea command category, Nov. 30. The Project Good Neighbor Award recognizes the best year-round volunteer-supported program or special project that promotes outreach activities throughout the year to establish and restore hope to the community.
The award is divided into three categories: shore, sea and overseas. Within these categories, nominees are then separated by command size under 200, 200-499 and 500 or more personnel.This marks the second consecutive year NMCB 11s Seabees captured the award.
"I couldn't be prouder because this award recognizes the true character of the 'Lucky 11' Seabees, said Cmdr. Jorge Cuadros, NMCB 11s commanding officer. Being active and good neighbors in the many communities we've been part of is now culture in the battalion. Our Seabees get tremendous personal satisfaction from their selfless acts and value the relationships that are developed."
The 245 Seabees from NMCB 11 volunteered a total of 4,600 hours and helped more than 15,000 people during their 2015 deployment.The battalionhad 15 different detachment sites around the world, which included both Spain and Guam.
Some of the volunteer events NMCB 11s Seabees contributed to included:a beach cleanup in Rota,
Spain; Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) training at Ebeye Elementary School in Marshall Islands; participation in the Special Olympics for Guam and Gulfport; servicing of air conditioners for CURE Hospital Niamey in Niger; and cleaning and landscaping for La Cartuja Monastery in Jerez, Spain.
BUCRGedale Gendraw (left) andEOCRJames Majors assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 11 drag old netting found on Admirals Beach during a beach cleanup as part of Earth Day, April 22 2015. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Michael C. Barton/150422-N-OR477-012)
"Seabees have the unique capabilities to interact with multiple communities at one time around the world," said Lt. Twig Sergeant, command chaplain and volunteer program coordinator. "Through all the volunteering NMCB 11 has been involved with, the focus has always been strengthening partner nation relationships at every detachment site.
NMCB 11 is a Seabee battalion specializing in contingency construction, disaster response, and humanitarian assistance. The battalion homeport is in Gulfport, Mississippi. The Naval Construction Force is a vital component of the U.S. Maritime Strategy. They offer deployable battalions capable of providing contingency construction, disaster preparation and recovery support, humanitarian assistance, and combat operations support.
UTCDuane Jerry (center) andCE2 Joshua Davis, assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 11, give Yap residents an orientation to the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery education program, June 23, 2015. NMCB 11 Construction Civic Action Detail Yap is deployed in the Federated States of Micronesia to complete humanitarian construction projects alongside local workers, and to conduct community engagement programs. (U.S. Navy photo by Ensign Frances Hunter/150623-N-HC897-001)