Story by CE3 Ji Han, Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 4 Public Affairs Office
METINARO, Timor-Leste Seabees assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 4, marked the end of Exercise Hari i Hamutuk 2017 with a closing ceremony at Metinaro Military Base Nov. 7th.
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Command Master Chief Holden and Lieutenant Junior Grade Erik Snodgrass assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 4, visited Sidara Health Clicic upon completion of refurbishment as a part of Hari I Hamatuk 2017 exercise. (U.S. Navy photo by Construction Electrican Third Class Ji Han)
Representatives from NMCB 4, U.S. Marine Corps Combat Engineers, Japan Ground Self Defense Force(JMSDF), Royal Australian Engineers(RAE) and Engineers from the Timor-Leste Defense Force (F-FDTL) celebrated the successful completion of Hari i Hamutuk, which included the renovation of a 3,000 sq ft. kitchen facility at Baucau Military Base and refurbishment of the Sidara Health Clinic in Hera community.
Hari i Hamutuk, in Tetun means building together, and is a multilateral exercise designed to increase interoperability between partnering countries.
Beginning Oct. 29th, 120 engineers participated in the exercise and in lieu of the different backgrounds, cultures, and languages, the units worked together to complete the two major projects and various smaller projects over the course of the 30 days.
Sidara Health Clinic has been helping the Hera Community for 15 years. The clinic was founded by a local nurse practitioner, Bianca Lopez. To refurbish the clinic participants constructed a masonry block bathroom facility and replaced three corrugated roof structures.
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Commander James Cho assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) FOUR, gave complements to every single member of Children s choir team who performed at the Sidara Health Clinic Ribbon cutting ceremony. (U.S. Navy photo by Construction Electrican Third Class Ji Han)
It was good opportunity to trade skills with other nations. I learned a great deal about masonry from Australian counterparts, said Utilitiesman Constructionman Whitney Bussell. They were very patient and great teachers.
The new kitchen facilities at Baucau Military Base will improve the sanitation and enhance the quality of food served for Timorese troops.
It was a great learning experience. I was able to take what I have learned and combine it with knowledge from Australian and Timorese counterparts. The collaboration of knowledge between two counties created cooperation and we executed a successful renovation, said Steelworker Constructionman Clayton Peterson.
For more news from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 4, visit http://www.public.navy.mil/seabee/nmcb4/Pages/default.aspx or follow NMCB 4 on Facebook at www.facebook.com/NMCB4
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NMCB 4 personnel pose with local villagers at the Sidara Health Clinic. (U.S. Navy photo by Construction Electrican Third Class Ji Han)