By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Brannon Deugan
BU3 Julian Nino (left) and CM2 Kendra Rauch, assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 1, greet U.S. Ambassador Tom Armbruster during a NMCB 1 visit to Majuro, Republic of Marshall Island, Jan. 6, 2016.NMCB 1 conducted Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) tutoring for high school students on the island and performed minor renovations to the National Museum of the Marshall Islands. NMCB 1 is providing humanitarian aid to the Republic of the Marshall Islands. (U.S. Navy photo by Hospitalman 2nd Class Isaac P. Cajinas/160106-N-ZZ999-0048)
Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 1 Seabees finished renovations on a museum and public library on Majuro Atoll, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Jan. 5, 2016.
The Bees from Civic Construction Action Detail (CCAD) Marshall Islands also will be repairing the roof of the Alele Museum while replacing ceiling tiles in the Alele Public Library.
The museum and public library hold historical items for the Marshall Islands, and repairing the roof will help ensure these cultural icons are not ruined by water intrusion from a damaged roof, said Lt. j.g. Cory Devonis, NMCB 1 officer in charge. This also allows the local people to enjoy the museum and library without having to worry about getting wet.
The detail first met with Carol Curtis, Alele Museum manager and acting director, and Tallur Domnic, Alele Museum curator, to receive an overview of the renovations required for the library and museum.
I am very impressed by your industrious work ethic and very grateful for your help, said Curtis. The work you guys are doing means a lot to the people here.
The project, scheduled to conclude on Jan. 16, 2016, is the first time NMCB 1 has worked on Majuro Atoll during this deployment and it provides an opportunity to expand the scope for future projects in the Republic of Marshall Islands.
This is very important for NMCB1 and CCAD Marshall Islands, because the history of this detachment has been restricted to Kwajalein Atoll, said Devonis. Expanding to Majuro, the capital of Marshall Islands, is the first step in expanding the capabilities of projects within 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, 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.
BUCASamantha Besler, assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 1, removes existing roof membrane during a roof renovation at the National Museum of the Republic of the Marshall Islands in Majuro, Jan. 7, 2015. NMCB 1 is conducting community relations with the locals by performing renovations to the museum and providing humanitarian aid to the Republic of the Marshall Islands. (U.S. Navy photo by Hospitalman 2nd Class Isaac P. Cajinas/160107-N-ZZ999-006)