Story by Petty Officer 3rd Class Stephen Sipus, NMCB 4
Seabees assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 4 constructed a lean-to awning for the contractors chapel during their deployment.
NMCB 4 built the lean-to awning addition for the chapel primarily used by the civilian contractors who live and work on the island. The awning addition will allow for more of the congregation to be present during religious services while still adhering to social distancing regulations.
It was extremely gratifying to see a small project like this from start to finish, said Builder 3rd Class Jesse Bartow, project crew leader. Our team learned valuable lessons, and a larger knowledge base for construction methods and techniques.
The awning project was accomplished between scheduled projects for the deployment in order to support and further relationships with the contractors present on the island during these difficult times due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Seabees also repaired the weathered fence surrounding the chapel as well as laid new gravel underneath the awning to increase the aesthetics of the chapel. The commitment to high quality work ensures the longevity of the project while simultaneously increasing morale.
The civilian contractors who live and work on the island, and their collaboration with the NMCBs, are an essential part to the continued success of the mission on the island.
NMCB 4 is a forward deployed pacific NMCB ready to support major combat operations and humanitarian assistance/ disaster relief operations and to provide general engineering and civil support to Navy, Marine Corps, and joint operational forces. Homeported out of Port Hueneme, California, NMCB 4 is deployed throughout the United States and Pacific area of operations.