Story by NAVFAC Engineering and Expeditionary Warfare Center PAO
Petty Officer 1st Class Colby Wightman (far right) assists with the humanitarian assistance and disaster relief efforts by loading and delivering 300 bags of beans and rice, in two sorties, to individuals affected by Hurricane Matthew in Jeremie, Haiti. Wightman was one of two Seabee volunteers from NAVFAC EXWC's Mobile Utilities Support Equipment (MUSE) division, who deployed in support of the ongoing relief operations in Haiti. Wightman and Chief Petty Officer James Muskevitsch (not pictured) deployed with the Joint Task Force (JTF) Matthew advance party to provide damage assessment, troubleshoot and assist in repair of the critical electrical infrastructure in preparation for the arrival of the NAVFAC Contingency Engineer Response Team (CERT) and JTF main parties. (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Petty Officer James Muskevitsch)
JEREMIE, Haiti (NNS) -- Two Seabee technicians from Naval Facilities Engineering and Expeditionary Warfare Center (NAVFAC EXWC), Mobile Utilities Support Equipment (MUSE) division, deployed in support of the ongoing relief operations in Haiti.
Chief Petty Officer James Muskevitsch and Petty Officer First Class Colby Wightman deployed with the Joint Task Force (JTF) Matthew advance party to provide damage assessment, troubleshoot and assist in repair of the critical electrical infrastructure in preparation for the arrival of the NAVFAC Contingency Engineer Response Team (CERT) and JTF main parties.
Muskevitsch and Wightman responded to a request for volunteers with hands-on experience and knowledge of utility systems that circulated NAVFAC EXWC, a tenant command on Naval Base Ventura County, Port Hueneme, California.
Once they arrived at the JTF HQ, they immediately corrected hazardous electrical issues that were causing power surges leading to catastrophic equipment losses at the Port Au Prince Airport. They assessed the incoming utilities and building power ultimately rewiring the breaker panels. Their actions resulted in rebalancing the electrical load and creating a safe operating environment. Ultimately they brought the building off local utilities and on to a generator establishing electrical security for the JTF to conduct ongoing operations.
In addition to lending their electrical expertise, Muskevitsch and Wightman displayed their "can do" attitude and volunteered to assist in the humanitarian assistance and disaster relief efforts by loading and delivering 300 bags of beans and rice, in two sorties, to individuals affected by the hurricane in Jeremie.
Once the CERT is in country, the Seabees will assist with assessments and provide any expedient repairs necessary to improve the conditions in Haiti caused by Hurricane Matthew.
MUSE is an all enlisted division of NAVFAC EXWC that provides energy independence for worldwide Navy and DoD critical infrastructures and facilities through reliable, responsive, and effective interim mobile utility support equipment and technical assistance.