NMCB 133 Air Det Conducts Concrete Placement for Base Gazebo

By CMCN John Posey, NMCB 133 Public Affairs

Engineering Aide Constructionman Fides Ybanez from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 133 conducts a slump test to determine workability of concrete prior to placement. Ybanez and seven other Seabees from NMCB 133 Air Det took part in the construction of a new gazeebo at Naval Construction Battalion Center, Gulfport, gaining valuable experience for their upcoming deployment.

EACN Fides Ybanez, NMCB 133, conducts a slump test to determine workability of concrete prior to placement, NCBC Gulfport, Miss. (U.S. Navy photo/150929-N-ZZ999-002 ) Seabees from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 133 Air Det recently completed a concrete placement for a new gazebo at the intersection of Moreell Avenue and Marvin Shields Boulevard, Naval Construction Battalion Center (NCBC), Gulfport, Miss., Sept. 29. The project crew, led by Builder 2^nd Class James Sachsel and supervised by Steelworker 1^st Class Jarrod Cagel, used eight cubic yards of concrete for the placement. The new gazebo is the second project completed by Seabees from NMCB 133 Air Det during this homeport cycle.

Builder 2nd Class Brandon Rowe from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 133 directs the placement of concrete for a new gazeebo. Rowe and seven other Seabees from NMCB 133 Air Det took part in the concrete placement, using it as hands on experience for their upcoming deployment.

BU2 Brandon Rowe, NMCB 133, directs placement of concrete for a new gazebo, NCBC Gulfport, Miss. (U.S. Navy photo/150929-N-ZZ999-021) The placement incorporated the entire eight-person crew from start to finish. The first task was to conduct a slump test to ensure the concrete was adequate for the site. They then worked together to pour and level the rough foundation before the concrete could be screened and finished. The new gazebo replaces an existing structure that was starting to weather and show signs of deterioration. This new gazebo helps improve not just the quality of life, but the aesthetics of the base as well, said Cagel. NMCB 133 entered this homeport with a focus on quality training and increased hands-on experience. The gazebo project has provided valuable experience and excellent learning opportunities for our Seabees prior to the upcoming deployment in 2016, said Sachsel. The resources and experienced personnel are not always available to us during a deployment, so this project, along with the other homeport projects, have provided NMCB 133 Seabees with valuable on-the-job training.

Builder Chief Andrew Brandmeier instructs Builder Constructionman Benjamin Sadak, both from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 133, on the proper technique of using a hand float to finish concrete during placement. Sadak and seven other Seabees from NMCB 133 Air Det received excellent instruction and demonstrations from many experienced personnel during the concrete placement.

BUC Andrew Brandmeier (right) instructs BUCN Benjamin Sadak, both assigned to NMCB 133, on the proper technique of using a hand float to finish concrete during placement, NCBC Gulfport, Miss. (U.S. Navy photo/150929-N-ZZ999-033)

Constructionman Benjamin Sadak from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 133 employs the techniques he has been shown while using a hand float to finish concrete placement. Sadak and seven other Seabees from NMCB 133 Air Det received excellent instruction and demonstrations from many experienced personnel during the concrete placement.

BUCN Benjamin Sadak, NMCB 133, uses a hand float to finish concrete placement employing recently learned techniques, NCBC Gulfport, Miss. (U.S. Navy photo/150929-N-ZZ999-041)

Builder 2nd Class James Sachsel from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 133 uses a bull float to finish the concrete placement during construction of a new gazebo. Sachsel led five other Seabees from NMCB 133 Air Det for the duration of the gazeebo construction at Naval Construction Battalion Center, Gulfport, passing along his knowledge to his crew in preparation for the upcoming 2016 deployment.

BU2 James Sachsel, NMCB 133, uses a bull float to finish the concrete placement during construction of a new gazebo, NCBC Gulfport, Miss. (U.S. Navy photo/150929-N-ZZ999-056)