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ContentsVolume 11, Issue 6
Commanding OfficerCDR La Tanya Simms, CEC
Executive OfficerLCDR Ben Leppard, CEC
Command Master ChiefCMDCM(SCW) Charles Thomas
Public Affairs OfficerLTJG Noel Macatangay, CEC
Editor-in-ChiefMC1(SW/AW/MTS) Russ Stewart
“Focus on FOUR” is U.S. Naval Mobile Construction Battalion FOUR’s official familygram, printed with appropriated funds in accordance with NPPRP-35. Opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the Department of Defense, the Department of the Navy or the Commanding Officer of NMCB FOUR.
Commanding Officer 3Executive Officer 4Command Master Chief 5Chaplain’s Corner 6Sailor in the Spotlight 7Welcome Aboard 8Alfa Company 9Delta Company 12Headquarters Company 14Det. Four 15Det. Musa Qal’eh 17Det. Payne 19Det Qal’eh Ye Now 21Det. Two 23Det. Water Well 24
Front Cover:Somewhere on the road in Afghanistan – A MRAP from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion FOUR’s Convoy Security Element drives through a pass into the next river valley while escorting vehicles taking materials to one the many Det sites throughout the country. (US Navy photo by CM2 Daniel Wyman)
Back Cover:A MRAP from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion FOUR’s Convoy Security Element rolls through a purple twilight along a wide open road on its way back to home base after a resupply mission. (US Navy photo by CM2 Daniel Wyman)
You may also visit us on the web at:www.facebook.com/nmcb4
www.dvidshub.net/units/nmcb4www.navy.mil/local/nmcb4
www.flickr.com/photos/nmcbfour
CDR La Tanya Simms
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U.S. Navy photo
Commanding Officer
Greetings FABULOUS Friends and Families of FOUR,
“They killed Wall-E!” Equipment Operator 3rd Class Justin Meadors told me when describing his and his gun truck crew’s recent skirmish while on a convoy. Wall-E was their IED-probing robot and unfortunately is now in robot heaven. EO3 Meadors, along with Construction Mechanic 2nd Class Glenn Coppage, Construction Electrician 3rd Class Jamie Hernandez, and Construction Electrician 3rd Class Bret Collins are brave members of our convoy security element (CSE) that lead from the front. What struck me about this conversation was the passion and care they exhibited for their equipment and each other. That same care and character has been front and center across the entire battalion over the past month.
You may or may not know that Command Master Chief Thomas left theater after what initially seemed to be a stroke, which has since been discounted because of his rapid recovery and subsequent test results. His diagnosis and future treatment however, is still being worked through. No matter how you analyze it though, he’s a lucky man because our fabulous Medical staff’s expeditious response and personal care for Master Chief’s health preserved his life. Our thoughts and prayers are with Master Chief and his family.
In a similar instance of selflessness, Master Chief Jenkins (TNG, i.e. “the new guy”…I’ll get to him in a minute) and I were visiting Utilitiesman 3rd Class Crystal McDougal after she was involved in a different CSE skirmish. Groggy from her meds, the first thing she asked was how the rest of the team was. At a time when it would have been understandable to only focus on herself, her first concern was her shipmates. In case you were wondering, the rest of the team is FABULOUS! These superstars, led by Chief Construction Mechanic Nate Chun, responded in such a way that Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Oscar Morales stabilized UT3 on site and she was being seen by a higher echelon of care within 45 minutes, it was poetry in motion.
TNG, Master Chief Shane Jenkins, joined FOUR almost four months ago after a tour as the Command Master Diver (which means he can hold his breath a really long time…not really, it means he’s a high speed, low drag kind of guy) and Senior Enlisted Leader at Naval Facilities Engineering Service Center. Since Command Master Chief Thomas had to leave, Master Chief Jenkins accepted the reins and hasn’t missed a beat. And although he says he’s drinking from a fire hose and filling big shoes, the care he has demonstrated for our Seabees in this tough time of deployment, enlisted retention boards, force structure challenges, and change has been exceptional.
In this edition of Focus on FOUR there are the usual cast of characters, XO, CMDCM, and Chaps (WARNING! Have tissues or a clean shirt sleeve handy) and articles about: support we receive from Port Hueneme’s Parkview Elementary School, our six Seabees who ran the Marine Corps Marathon (Forward); Det Payne’s take on the Seabee “Can Do” motto; Det 2’s Builder Constructionman Leo Zhang and Team Jalalabad; and our Water Well Team’s current exploits.
Please know that the best Seabees in the Naval Construction Force remain focused on our mission despite being away from you this holiday season. Is it hard? Sure. But we’re family here and we’ll continue to care for one another. Thanks for your thoughts, prayers, and holiday cookies, gifts, and cards that have already arrived and that are en route. We absolutely could not do what we do without your love, care, and support…until next time, be well!
Happy Holidays,CDR Simms
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Executive OfficerLCDR Ben Leppard
U.S. Navy photo
Hoorah NMCB FOUR Seabees, friends, and families!
We’ve been discussing milestones over the past few months as we watch the time pass. Over the Hump/Halfway party has come and gone and Thanksgiving has done the same! I’m not sure what your next milestone is, but Christmas will be here before you know it. In fact, you’ll see the next Focus on FOUR edition in 2012 after Christmas has come and gone and we’re just 5-6 weeks from returning home! Can you believe all these months have passed so quickly?
Christmas is a special time of year – I don’t have to tell you that – and I trust you and your loved ones have plans to enjoy and celebrate this time together. Decorate the house, put up your tree, give and receive gifts, watch your favorite holiday movie, dress the dog like Santa Clause (or whatever fun traditions you have), and don the giving, joyful spirit that embodies this holiday. After Christmas, welcome in the new year and set yourself one or two more milestones before reunion with your Seabee!
The month of October was such a stellar month for the Seabee Combat Warfare program that there’s not much space remaining that you have to listen to me yap on! Without further ado, please help me congratulate our newest warriors. We have reached 154 of our 200 deployment qualification goal. Bravo Zulu to the following Seabees on achieving this significant career milestone:
Newly Qualified LS2 Evans UTCN Bartoszek CMCN Galvez SW2 Baca CE3 JerniganBUCN Schott BU3 McLeod YN3 Johnson BUCN Schauer CECN VardhanSW3 Atencio CECN Diazcastillo EOCN Darr BUCN Fisher EACN LatimerSW1 Daniels UT3 Verdida BUCN Juvinal CM3 Alber CMCN McglameryEO3 Martin UTCN Dowdy CE3 Collins EOCN Odom EO3 HogueBUCN Miles HM1 Gonzalez UT3 Alvarado BU3 Cavaness SWCN PollardEOCN Jaquet CMCN Payne CMCN Peterson EO3 McClain LTJG HunterIT2 Scott BUCN Fernandez CS2 Torres HM2 Diego BU3 CastanedaBMC Martin BUCN Eddleman CECN Blackman BUCN Guerrero SWCN OliverBU3 Cardinale UTCN Strickland UTCN Hechenberger
RequalifiedEO2 Chord UCCM Diianni EO2 Bones BU2 Gorgas
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all. Truly enjoy these holidays with the loved ones around you and we’ll make it home shortly.
God bless.LCDR Ben LeppardExecutive Officer
CMDCM Charles ThomasCMD Master Chief
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U.S. Navy photo
Every month I write this article and all too often I overlook the one group of Seabees that continually makes things happen day in and day out. You can tie that statement to each and every group of Seabees we have here in NMCB FOUR, but those Seabees are doing what they are trained to do; build and fight. The group I’m referring to is the Homeport Liaison Staff. These Seabees at times get a bad rap but I can guarantee you this they are getting it done in Port Hueneme. Chief Harrison, the myriad of issues that come through your door is unbelievable. You and your staff handle each one with respect, concern and a genuine desire to solve the problem or help the member in whatever way possible. To say we are all thankful is an understatement. The service you provide our battalion is tremendous and you and your staff should be proud.
SincerelyCharles “Buck” ThomasNMCB FOUR CMDCM
EA1 Carolina Godoy BU1 Jason Trapasso
CEC James Harrison
Homeport Liaison Staff
Chaplain’s CornerLT Baron Miller
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Joy in the Midst of Sorrow
Thanksgiving is behind us and as the season of gratitude continues we turn our attention toward Christmas. During this season, it seems we either thrive on the hustle and bustle of shopping, food preparation and home decoration, or we’re petrified of January’s credit card bill and can’t wait for this month to pass. Regardless of where you fall on this continuum, most would agree that Christmas is (or should be) a season of joy. However, though we are conditioned toward a joyful attitude during Christmas, the reality is that while we’re deployed it can be very difficult for us (and you at home) to experience joy in the midst of sorrow.
I remember Christmas five years ago as the most profound holiday I’ve ever had. My wife Cristina was 30 weeks pregnant and as a pastor, I was scheduled to lead a Christmas Eve worship service. However, after a few weeks of pain and high blood pressure, the doctors warned us that if Cristina’s situation worsened, we’d be spending the holidays in the hospital.
Sure enough, on the morning of Christmas Eve, my wife’s blood pressure was through the roof and I had to take her to the hospital, missing church and making some last-minute rearrangements. That night she was miserable; she had terrible pain and nausea and we didn’t know what was wrong. The next morning, Christmas Day, I went home to feed the dog and clean up. When I arrived back at the hospital, my wife’s room was filled with doctors and nurses: she was having a seizure. The doctor took me aside and explained that though it seemed she and our baby were alright, they needed to medevac them to Seattle where a neonatal intensive care unit was standing by to deal with what would be a very small and premature baby.
The 96 mile drive to Seattle was when I began learning about joy in the midst of sorrow. I knew that whatever the outcome, my wife and I had shared many good years together and if we lost this baby, there would be other opportunities for parenthood. Sure I was scared, but I was trying to look on the bright side and not be consumed with grief. I was hoping God was going to do a miracle, and in the process, restore joy in my life.
I arrived at the hospital, scrubbed up, and met Cristina in the operating room. An emergency c-section was done and out came our son Calix 10 weeks early, weighing 2lbs. 7oz. and 14” long. As the respiratory team worked to get him breathing, my wife and I knew that there would be challenges ahead, but there would also be joy.
Five years later we wouldn’t have traded that experience for the world. Yes, Calix is alive and healthy and for that we’re thankful. But part of the joy we share today comes from the sorrow (and fear) we experienced early on. I want to encourage you that though the holidays may seem to lack that special joy of a whole family and the sorrow can at times seem overwhelming, “weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning” (Psalm 30:5b).
pax ChristiChaplain Baron Miller
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Sailor in the Spotlight
U.S. Navy photo
Det 2, BUCN Leo ZhangInterview with a Builder
By: BU1 Jeff Pate
Builder Constructionman Leo Zhang immigrated to the US from China when he was 20 years old. Joining Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) FOUR a year ago in October 2010, he was previously stationed in Gulfport Miss. with NMCB 133.
Why be a Builder?1.
“Every construction site needs a Builder. I’ve been working construction a long time. My father and grandfather are in construction. I was interested in construction when I was very young. I learned a lot from my grandfather as he showed me many things.” Being a BU appealed to him because there is a need for a “foundation created by a Builder for every job’s (rate’s) product.”
What made you decide to answer the “call of duty”?2.
“2007 - The real estate market crashed hard. It became difficult to support my family and the Navy’s benefits appealed to me to be able to support my family.”
What is your motivation in life for waking up in the morning? Why do you do what you do?3.
“Family - a new little girl gives me motivation to do better and set an example for others. To show my family I can provide and take care of things and have them proud of me.”
What was life like growing up in China?4.
“I grew up in a bad part of town-lots of fighting around. [I had a] good teacher help me out with studying so I could move up to the #4 high school in the city.” There was a very rigorous schedule for Zhang in high school:
Monday through Saturday classes ran from 0800-2230 with a 45 minute lunch. Sunday was a half day.
His teacher pushed him to get good grades so much that BUCN was able to get into the #1 University in China, Ching Wa. He studied two years of electrical engineering there before traveling to the US.
Any plans for after the Navy (whenever that may be)?5.
“I want to retire as a BUC from the Navy to a quiet place. It needs a mountain and a river or lake. I want to buy land and develop the land with my wife. I’d like to do charity work and if I need money I’ll do small construction part-time to pay bills.”
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Fabulous SeabeesWelcome Aboard
CM1(SCW) BaezAlfa Company
LSSA ZhangHeadquarters Company
LSSR NortadoHeadquarters Company
CECA EthingtonDelta Company
CE1(SCW) EdokpayiDelta Company
ENS KwasnyHeadquarters Company
BU3 DeeringDelta Company
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Principal Taped to Wall to Support SeabeesBy CM1 Kelby Fuchs
Students of Parkview Elementary in Port Hueneme, California, duct taped their principal to a wall to show support for Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) FOUR’s current deployment to Helmand Province, Afghanistan. For the small price of a dollar for one strip of duct tape, students attached Principal Heidi Haines to the handball wall, one piece at a time. The goal was to eventually suspend her off the ground. Students, staff, district support staff, and even the Superintendent and School Board, all participated in the fundraiser. The school raised $706 to cover the cost of shipping Christmas care packages and boxes of cards each month to NMCB FOUR.
“It felt a bit like a sleeping bag,” Principal Haines quipped, describing the experience. “It’s such a small thing to do, in comparison to the dedication and service of our Seabees.” Principal Haines is a “Navy brat” herself. “I remember the long deployments, sending cards and reel-to-reel tapes to my dad, and what a difference it made. Our students and staff have learned some great lessons in regards to service to country and citizenship. They have also learned what a difference one card can make…more than we could have ever dreamed. It’s been an incredibly worthwhile effort.”
Amanda Glover, Parkview teacher and wife of Lieutenant Junior Grade Grant Glover of NMCB 40, started the support campaign for her husband’s battalion last year. The father of one of her students was deployed as well. Mrs. Glover’s enthusiasm for the Seabee Christmas care package project was contagious; the school community shipped forty boxes in time for the holidays. Cards followed for all major holidays, and on NMCB 40’s return, they sponsored a barbecue and field day for students and staff. They also renovated the school’s baseball diamonds in appreciation. It was Mrs. Glover’s idea to tape the principal to the wall.
The tradition continues. “Once we knew NMCB 40 made it home safely, we decided to support NMCB 4,” said Haines. “This is the best way we know how. By providing cards for all the holidays, and sending a little piece of home, we hope that they know that we remember them and appreciate their service.” Seven hundred and six strips of duct tape, an energetic staff, caring students and a willing principal certainly demonstrate Parkview’s commitment to our men and women in uniform.
Alfa Company
Principal Haines laughs as Chief Harrison, our Homeport Liaison, gets in on the fun.
A student places another strip of tape on Principal Haines.
Students and staff take turns posing with the cocooned principal.
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The Marine Corps MarathonBy EQCM Kathy Keith
CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan (October 30, 2011) - Over the past few months several Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) FOUR personnel have been training for a ridiculously long run; 26.2 miles to be exact; a marathon, the Marine Corps Marathon - Forward. How they find the energy to run all those miles, getting their body ready for the big day, is beyond me. And it is much more than just running, as if that would not be enough, but cutting extra weight and getting your body used to eating and drinking water or gel (some energy thing) as you run. The food, water, and/or gels are required as additional fuel so they can go for that long of a distance.
With all of this effort going into the preparation, I decided that I would help them document the big day. Some will only do this once, I’m thinking once would be enough but there are those that do them every year. So there I was, Saturday night, 29 October. I had everything packed; camera, water, sun screen, sun glasses, chair. I knew it would be a long day so I was prepared. I could not sleep the night prior; I didn’t want to be late, what if I don’t see our guys among the group? You get the idea. Even I was nervous. Good thing I was there for support!
Sunday morning 0400: I’m up and ready to go. I go outside at 0500 and no one is there, my heart starts to race. Did I get the wrong time? I head to Lieutenant Jeremy Theis’ room in a bit of a panic. As I get ready to knock, he opens the door and we both were startled. He is still getting ready, like everyone else. “Meeting time is 0515, what are you doing here Master Chief?” About 0515 all the runners are there including Lt. Theis, Lieutenant Junior Grade Roland Ngogang, Senior Chief Rafael Navarro, Senior Chief Erik Myers, Chief John Thomas and Utilitiesman 2nd Class Jacob Drevecky. They’re going through their personal checklist; got your gel, sun glasses, seriously, it was nice seeing them make sure each was ready for the big day. Everyone is good to go, so we head over to the check-in desk so they can sign in and get their ‘Bibs’ (basically their number they pin on). I have NO idea what it stands for, but it makes sense once we get there. Now comes the nerve-racking part for them; the waiting game. They’re getting their numbers on, some taking more care than others; some
are exhibiting a bit of OCD about how straight theirs is. Now they start to think about all the layers of clothes they have on, but luckily I brought a big backpack for that very reason. I collected sweat shirts, wallets, dog tags, keys; all they need to think about is running, drinking, and whatever keeps them moving.
I was thinking about Lt. Theis telling me his wife had run a half marathon recently and that just blew my mind. Their youngest child was born right before FTX! So six months after delivery! His kids made him a sign “Go Daddy Go!”
I wanted to get pictures of the group for a before and
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NMCB FOUR runners.
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The race begins after the cannon fires.
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after shot, but keep in mind it didn’t start until 0600, so it was still dark out. And by the way, the Washington Redskins cheerleaders came out to kick off the marathon, so I had to get pictures with them and the guys. So ladies please don’t get mad at your husband or boyfriend; that was totally my doing. Oddly enough I felt bad for the cheerleaders. They came out to cheer on the runners and everyone was keeping their distance from them; it really surprised me. Once we got our pictures, other runners started too as well. So my work there was done.
Okay here we go! The National Anthem was sung beautifully by a Marine, the prayer was given and off they go to line up. How exciting! 377 runners reported in this morning and were ready to race. That gives you an idea how many people are here at Camp Leatherneck if they managed to find 377 marathon runners.
The cannon went off and away they go; the clock is running. I hurry to my designated spot about a quarter mile away. I am two-thirds of the way there and I see a runner go by! What? He is flying. It is the Brit that said he hoped to do the race in less than three hours, but I thought he was kidding.
The first lap turned out well, but it was still kind of dark out. Our guys are all looking good, all smiles and trucking along. As each lap passed the group got more and more spread out. I could see the anguish on most all the runner’s faces and the energy leaving their faces, but others were calmly moving along, not sweating, mouths closed like the race was just starting.
Three hours later is the last lap for most. I see UT2 Drevecky coming, he’s still going strong, and a bit later here comes Lt. Theis. I get some pictures and head to the finish line because I’m not going to miss the big finish. I’m almost there and several have already finished, which I expected, but I just missed UT2 Drevecky. I got some pictures of him walking around cooling off.
It’s amazing how well the entire team did. UT2 Drevecky came in at 3 hours and 52 minutes; Lt. Theis was 4 hours and 17 minutes, then Lt. j.g. Ngogang followed by LSCS Navarro and then running together was UTCS Myers and BUC Thomas. They all finished and I was and still am so proud of them! They were exhausted and wanted to eat but knew it would not go well, except a banana or muffin. They also wanted to sit down but knew they should not, but instead kept walking around. Lt. Theis decided to sit anyhow and seemed to be fine. This was LSCS Navarro’s first marathon, but he did it all in his sweatpants and took pictures along the way!
I noticed a bond among the runners. After they had finished they stayed and encouraged others on, clapping as they got close to the finish line. Some went back for their friends and co-workers to encourage them to the finish line.
Each runner that completed the run got a beautiful medal that matched the stateside Marine Corps Marathon medals and bragging rights to say “I have done a marathon” and know it MEANS something! They wished their families were here to see them complete it, but since that couldn’t happen, families can read about their Seabee’s major feat; it has been documented.
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NMCB FOUR’s runners with the Washington Redskins cheerleaders.
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BUC Thomas and UTCS Myers.
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A Holiday and Hard Work at Det DwyerBy BU3 Emilie Bates
Happy Thanksgiving Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) FOUR from 14 of your fellow Seabees here at Det Dwyer! Turkey didn’t slow this motivated crew down for the holidays. Chief Steelworker Shon Smith is leading the Bees to a big success. This small crew consists of Steelworker 1st Class Erik Larson, Builder 2nd Class Thomas Thornton, Utilitiesman 2nd Class Quinton Blaylock, Construction Electrician 3rd Class Andrew Rexroad, Construction Electrician 3rd Class Sasha Brown, Builder Constructionman Mackenzie Dupons, Builder Constructionman Jensen, Builder Constructionman Michael Thomson, Construction Mechanic Constructionman Kalen Peterson, Utilitiesman Constructionman Joshua Durkin, Utilitiesman Constructionman Johanna Mojar, Builder Constructionman Ashley Orona, and myself, Builder 3rd Class Emilie Bates. The Dwyer crew took over the “Dust Off” project from the 809th RED HORSE Squadron, a 40 by 120 foot steel Pre-Engineered Building (PEB) valued at $277,000. This building is for the 214th MEDEVAC Unit, and they’ve already seen the progress we’re making and are anxious to move into the finished product!
Our leadership here is impeccable! Half of the crew came from Leatherneck and the other half were pulled from Det Payne to complete this project. They get along and are in sync with each other; these Bees are getting it done! Just two words were received when CE3 Rexroad was asked how he feels about this project; “It’s awesome,” he stated. This is the first time FOUR has ever built this type of PEB, what a great opportunity to be the first. Plenty of the crew is working outside of their rate and gaining valuable knowledge. BU2 Thornton came from Det Payne with his small crew of three BUs, a UT, and a CM that he has worked with throughout this deployment. “This building is diesel! It’s good the crew has the opportunity to learn something and walk away with pride knowing they were the first to put this building up,” stated Thornton. The project is coming along great, and everyone is working hard!
On another positive note here, CMCN Peterson earned his Seabee Combat Warfare Specialist (SCWS) pin this week. “The hardest part about SCWS is not procrastinating,” Peterson stated. Peterson worked hard and earned his warfare device and is happy to have it. We also have a few more upcoming SCWS warriors boarding in the near future here at Det Dwyer. Hoorah Seabees, stay motivated!
Delta Company
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UT2 Blaylock prepares to screw a truss to the wall.
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Lilac RemodelBy UTCN Justine Blanche
Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) FOUR Delta Company, Camp Maintenance was recently tasked with remodeling the Lilac Conference Room, in support of the commanding general, II Marine Expeditionary Force - Forward (II MEF [FWD]). The remodel consisted of Seabees building three 28 by 7 ½ foot tiered seating, a 38 by 9 foot projection wall, and a 17 by 16 foot center platform, as well as re-wiring the sound system and lighting. The conference room remodel will greatly enhance the operational effectiveness of communicating vital theater information to different units throughout II MEF’s area of operations. The raised seating will not only allow seating for more people but also better presentation viewing. Starting the project on 14 November and completing it on 23 November, Builder 2nd Class Steven Mayo, Project Supervisor, was extremely pleased with his crew for completing the project in nine days instead of the estimated 11 days. Delta Company Camp Maintenance is looking forward to future projects. HOORAH DELTA!
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Left tiered seating area. Right tiered seating area.
Center platform and projection wall.
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Career Counselor CornerBy BU1 Juanita Esquivel
“Sign me up!” This is what we’ve been hearing here at Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) FOUR from our Warriors when presented the opportunity to continue to serve in our military.
This Afghanistan deployment has been quite unique. With our unit being distributed throughout the country you can say that it can pose the potential for obstacles when it comes down to dealing with one’s career. With this being said, we are reminded of yet another famous phrase “Can Do!” and that’s exactly what we do here; we make it happen!
Counselors’ responsibilities are paramount, so it was important to create a team that would be up for the challenge. At the helm of this team is our very own Chief Navy Career Counselor Sandra Butler. Chief Butler, being a new addition to our Fab FOUR family, checked into the command last spring with guns-a-blazing. Taking charge and making great changes to the way we handle each troop’s career. Just days before we departed for our field training exercise and not knowing the day in the life of a Seabee she took the challenge, and that’s just the type of Chief she is. Little did we know she had already acquired the “Can Do” spirit of the Seabees.
Assisting Chief is her team of fine First Class Petty Officers whose specialties lay in various trades to include Builders, Hospital Corpsmen, Equipment Operators, Construction Mechanics, Steelworkers, Yeomen, and even the Culinary Specialists. Each joining the team with prior experience and knowledge and collectively we continue to grow professionally from the monthly training that is provided by the career counselors’ office.
We have assisted in the reenlistment of 37 Warriors since May 2011. But it is not only about reenlistments here, we are serious about what we do and what we do is guide, track goals, mentor and provide Sailors with tools they need to make sound informed decisions that will directly influence their career paths in our Navy. In
this office terms such as Career Development Boards, Perform to Serve, Enlisted Retention Board, and Projected Rotation Date are second nature to us, yet to some they may be completely new. Our jobs as counselors are to familiarize each and every one of our troops with programs and opportunities. Since arriving here on deployment our Seabees have experienced some unexpected and expected losses, considered possibilities for converting to different rates, and many have been granted permission to stay Navy.
You can rest assured that our team of counselors is doing their best to secure and inform your loved ones of their choices and carefully assisting in providing only the best career information possible. From our home abroad to the home front, we encourage you to support your Warriors and keep charging.
Headquarters Company
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NCC Butler and BU1 Esquivel.
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Counselors discuss options with BU1 Pate.
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EACN Bethke peruses buffet offerings.
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LCDR Ramberg and Aziz.
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SW3 Urroz receives his Good Conduct Medal from ENS Sawyer.
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Filling HESCOs at an ECP project.
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CECN Diaz-Castillo receives her SCWS certificate from ENS Sawyer.
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Det Four
BUC Saenz accepts the challenge of a monster sandwich.
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LS1 Javier piling his plate high.
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UT1 Walton works the grill.
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ECP project.
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The honoree, CMC Jackson, at his farewell barbeque.
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“Doc” Demos carefully constructing a burger.
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Building for AfghanistanBy BU3 Vincent Decaro
The low water crossing project in Musa Qal’eh has been important for Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) FOUR and for the entire Naval Construction Force. The scale and difficulty of the project has set the bar extremely high for NCF projects, and led to a unique experience for all Seabees involved.
Each facet of the project was crucial to the overall quality and function of the crossing and took a dedicated group of Seabees of various rates to get the job done. Our equipment operators specializing in crane operations unloaded the convoys and set the major concrete pieces in place. The steelworkers took over from there, welding all components in place to enable the crossing’s longevity and provide a lasting solution to the residents of Musa Qal’eh. Along the way, as a dedicated, Builder 3rd Class, I worked continuously placing concrete to tie the components together and create retaining walls for access ramps, as well as various side projects in support of the Marines stationed at the Musa Qal’eh District Center.
My experience in Musa Qal’eh has been truly awesome and unique to my career. The amount of cooperation between rates has been exemplary. In addition, the sheer volume of work done by the crew while fighting the weather and material shortages was outstanding. The low water crossing project has been a great example of what can be accomplished by a motivated, dedicated, and goal-oriented crew.
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Placing retention walls for access ramps.
Making forms for concrete placing.
Placing retention walls for access ramps.
One of two sections of the low water crossing.
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Alfa SeabeesBy EOCN Jason Scott
The equipment operators on Det Musa Qal’eh are some of the best that the Naval Construction Force has to offer. There are currently eight members of Alfa Company assigned to Regional Command (Southwest)’s number one priority project. The amount of work they have accomplished here is outstanding, with over two million pounds of concrete components lifted and set into place, providing maintenance for 25 pieces of construction equipment, and excavating over 1,000 cubic meters of earthwork. Despite the challenges involved in such a complex operation, Alfa Company Seabees have succeeded commendably in the past three months.
The construction of the low water crossing consisted of complex lifting and excavation stages to properly place all 609 precast concrete components. Initially, we prepared the ground by leveling and digging trenches to place toe-walls which the base slabs would rest on. After we set the toe-walls running parallel to each other, they were tied together using rebar and steel pipes. The area between the toe-walls was then backfilled and compacted to set the square base slabs that the concrete bunkers would be placed on to provide the elevated causeway. As simple as it sounds, most of the components weighed between 15,000 and 20,000 pounds, requiring an extreme degree of precision to place them while doing so safely and
efficiently. Each lift and digging operation was planned out carefully and executed flawlessly despite the high stress that the equipment and Seabees were under. The teamwork and perseverance that this tight knit unit developed over the course of this project resulted in the mission being completed on time with zero mishaps.
In addition to the excellent job on the low water crossing, we have also been instrumental to the 2/4 Marines in providing critical upgrades to the camp here and their quality of life. Filling HESCO barriers, leveling the ground around camp, grading the convoy staging area, and digging new trenches for showers and head facilities are just some of the ways we have helped improve the conditions around the Musa Qal’eh District Center.
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The crane crew placing bunkers.
Placing retention walls for access ramps.
Excavating prior to placing “rip-rap.”
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“Can Do”By CM3 Timothy Ryan
Sometimes the beauty of things is in their simplicity. The Seabee motto “Can Do” is one of these things. “Can Do” may simply mean that a Seabee is willing and able to complete a task, but at what cost is not always clear until its completion.
Equipment Operator 2nd Class Brian Stoffel and a small crew of Seabees set out to fix a section of road over an irrigation canal. What was intended to be a simple, straight-forward project became a complex engineering problem under a serious time crunch that required several areas of Seabee expertise to solve. With the heavy traffic load this road sees and the lack of another nearby crossing, the only option was to finish this project in one day, building on top of a sagging, shoddy culvert. The repair process included mixing 60 bags of concrete (weighing 50 kg each), welding a rectangular support frame for the two foot HESCO barrier base, and moving a lot of dirt and gravel into the right places. The I-beam frame spanned both the width of the road and the irrigation canal and was welded by Steelworker 1st Class David Daniels. “We had to keep it open to traffic and we could only do one side at a time [which slowed progress]. The battalion before us put HESCOs in the ground to make a flat, compacted spot. Thing is about that is the material that holds the dirt in [when they are set up vertically] rots away and that’s what happened causing the road to collapse into the irrigation canal from the outside in,” said Stoffel. This erosion was getting so bad that the average tactical vehicle had almost no extra room on the road while passing over the culvert and risked rolling down eight feet into the irrigation canal below. With each passing truck, more and more of the road was disappearing.
“Mixing concrete by hand sucks,” said Construction Mechanic Constructionman Kyle Luther. Concrete was used to fill the two foot HESCOs as a means of creating a solid base for the road. Under the small time frame allotted for completion, the crew was forced to mix over 1,300 lbs. of concrete using only a five gallon plastic bucket and a spade shovel…while wearing full battle rattle. Originally the plan was to finish the project in less than four hours but with the crew having to stop work to let convoy traffic pass and with more and more of the old road crumbling and sliding into the culvert, the
repair took just under 12 hours to complete. “The culvert threw us a couple of curveballs. It’s like
putting a band-aid on something that needed a complete makeover. But we got the entire project done in the amount of time we were allotted to get it done; one day. The concrete wasn’t part of the original plan, neither were the I-beams, but it all worked. That road is a lot more stable now. For the [small] amount of people we had on the project, it turned out good,” said Stoffel.
The Seabee use their motto “Can Do” so often that it can be easy to lose sight of its significance, but any situation can require any Seabee or group of Seabees to show just what they’re made of.
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CM3 Ryan and EO2 Stoffel lay a base of concrete.
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CM3 Woody, CM3 Ryan and CMCN Luther fill HESCOs with hand-mixed concrete.
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Mi Casa, Su CasaBy EOCN Priscilla French
Over the river and through the sand to South Station, Seabees traveled to build a new home that will be utilized by the newly arriving Light Armored Reconnaissance (LAR) Battalion. To get to South Station, the crew fords the Helmand River at sunrise with the Alfa Dawgs in up- armored equipment, and eventually, after witnessing the infamous white camel and children tending to sheep alongside the road while traveling, they pull into the newly graded and graveled ramp area. Seabee Builders’ silhouettes begin hammering and piecing together all the wooden puzzle pieces that quickly take shape forming the new Joint Operations Center the Marines will call home.
Home is where the heart is, and if you have no home, where is a heart suppose to rest and recover? Det Payne Builders are going above and beyond to build an exceptional and much needed home for the Marines at South Station to operate out of. The road to South Station was recently graded and graveled and the view is unique with life bustling about in distant villages; families of camels and local villagers surviving off of their small farms dot the landscape. Inside South Station, past rows of neatly placed Light Armored Vehicles, nestled in a corner rests a Joint Combat Operations Center, soon to be furnished for operations. To feel safe and secure, to inherit shelter and live a life filled with simple things, can make or break a day at the office or complete a home.
The Bees of Det Payne are making quick work of this challenging project. “[Southwest Asia] huts are kinda rough construction. The trimming on the doors has to be spot-on but you have a lot of freedom doing most of the other stuff,” said Builder Contructionman Mary Adams.
The SWA hut at South Station was nestled into a corner and unlike many other projects, the crew’s project site was cramped. “It was difficult setting the foundation; we didn’t have much room to move around,” said Adams.
Builder 1st Class John Stevens was the project supervisor for both the Castle and South Station huts. “Both of them were pretty similar: 32 by 80 foot and 42 trusses each. The Castle SWA hut featured 8 interior offices, 12 split unit air conditioning units, and 10 custom made doors; whereas South Station had 10, 18 and 13, respectively,” said Stevens.
Since Thanksgiving has passed and we are in the holiday season, we all have things to be thankful for; perhaps those Marines are thankful for their new operations center, or their health and safety and support from their families. The Seabees of Det Payne are just thankful they can make life a little better for someone else.
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Builders from Det Payne erect an exterior wall.
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BU3 Cripe shows EACN Latimer the ropes of hanging a ceiling.
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Det Kheryabad Transitions to Det Qal’eh Ye NowBy EO2 Robert Chord
After almost a month out in Patrol Base (PB) Kheryabad improving a route, the personnel and equipment convoyed back to Forward Operating Base Payne , the mission this time was to re-fit and perform preventive maintenance on the equipment. After getting showers and laundry turned in, the crew started working diligently on taking care of our gear. The EOs were greasing their equipment while the Mechanics were pulling broken pieces to the shop making repairs and doing preventive maintenance.
The second day, Det Kheryabad supported Det Payne’s long standing project to build a crossing through a river going to PB South Station with six inch rock as the final surface of the road. After doing about a quarter of this crossing our MRAP got stuck, which prompted us to abandon this idea.
After about half a day of brainstorming and browsing the material yard, Equipment Operator 1st Class Justin Hudson suggested using some of the sand grid Det Payne had on hand. This project went from taking a day to build a crossing to getting in the water and filling sand grid with sandy rocky material that eventually held the rocks in place to make up the road surface submerged in water. The purpose behind the project is so vehicles won’t have to ford the river but will have a more shallow point to cross.
Around lunch time, one of Det Payne’s crews was coming back from PB South Station with a roller, and was able to ford the water with no problem; that inspired the Det Kheryabad crew and everybody is now optimistic and have seen that EO1’s idea is working great.
So we kept working and two days later we had constructed a 100 yard road 20 feet wide under water. Previously this task was estimated to take seven days to complete but with Det Kheryabad’s ‘Can Do” spirit, it took only about two and a half days.
Det Kheryabad tackled more projects while waiting on additional gear from Camp Leatherneck. The Det augmented Det Payne and helped them complete a road that was 15 feet wide and one km long, we also repaired the two km road linking FOB Payne and PB South Station.
We then changed our name to Det Qal’eh Ye Now as we were tasked to build a two km road from PB Qal’eh Ye Now to Route Uniform.
Three weeks after getting to FOB Payne we were ready to step off for PB Qal’eh Ye Now, which is not smooth travel, even for us. Our vehicles got stuck several times due to soft ground and lack of improved roads.
With a lot of coordination with the Marines, we arrived at PB Qal’eh Ye Now, set up our berthing and started offloading our gear and equipment. The Marines, knowing what the Seabees are capable of, wanted some little projects done around the camp. We divided our crew so some went to work filling holes of old burn pits and spreading gravel around the PB, while the rest of us conducted a reconnaissance of the new route, so we could see what we were going to be faced with throughout the project.
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Det Kheryabad crew builds a road on the river. The crew uses a sand grid to hold the gravel or the road surface in place.
For Det Qal’eh Ye Now, this is where we’ll call home.
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Det Qal’eh Ye NowRoad Crew Always On The Go!
By EO2 Robert Chord
After getting settled in at Patrol Base (PB) Qal’eh Ye Now, the PB’s Marine Corps Gunnery Sergeant came over and introduced himself and said he had some small projects that he would like to see done to improve the quality of life of the Marines living inside the PB.
While the crew got busy on those small tasks, Lieutenant Junior Grade Noel Macatangay, the Det Officer-in-Charge, led a dismounted patrol with a few of the Marines as our security for a route survey.
We came to discover that what we thought was going to be a quick and easy dry project was wrong. On one end, farmers had flooded their fields and on the other end there was a slow moving creek. Due to the lack of places we had to get fill materials from, we decided to start the road from the main supply route (the other end) to the PB.
The next day the crew started building up the road, placing 561 cubic yards of fill and making significant progress. From the PB’s entry control point you can see a road emerging from a swampy area, courtesy of the men and women of Det Qal’eh Ye Now which for some members of Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) FOUR are known as the “Road Crew.”
The following day was cut short when the village elders who own the land expressed dissatisfaction as to where the road had been started, so we met and did another dismounted patrol with the elders this time to stake out the centerline of the route.
After two km of patrol both the land owners and the 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Marines agreed on the route. The purpose of the road for the Marines is to have a freedom of movement all year round, supporting their mission, and for the elders, less impact on their crops. After both parties agreed we were given a “go” to resume construction operations.
To add excitement to the project, six days after starting the Operations Department sent a message moving our end date forward because we have to move on to other priorities.
With the new deadline, the road crew is working hard and putting forth their best effort into getting this road done, thus making the road crew always on the go!
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Another load of fill, the crew places 600 cubic yards a day.
The road after one pass by the dozer.
The dozer spreading fill and rough grading the surface.
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Team JalalabadBy CE1 Omar Ramirez
Jalalabad, Afghanistan – the name itself rolls off the tongue like the title of the year’s best horror film. So it’s no surprise that the list of men deployed there from Det Two, Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) FOUR reads like the roster of an all pro football team. The season is young and team Jalalabad is off to a great record. Yet, because it is a small group of professionals they all have to play both offense and defense, so I present to you “Team Jalalabad.”
Petty Officer in Charge of Team Jalalabad, Petty Officer 1st Class, Construction Electrician, Omar Ramirez, was born in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, however he was raised in El Paso, Texas. An 18-year veteran of the game, he brings experience and poise as he has seen just about anything and everything possible. However this is not an individual sport and there is no way this team could be undefeated without the true superstars; his teammates.
Second in command and the Team Captain, Petty Officer 2nd Class Nathan Gordon, who is also a Construction Electrician, hails from the town of Grand Rapids, Mich. While only being in the league for four years, he can play at pretty much any position and still compete with the elite. He plays by the motto “If they are in my zone, I am going to knock them out; it’s what I do Coach.” Gordon has been involved in every major project, his skill set as an electrician is phenomenal, yet he is also a very talented carpenter and welder, and extremely knowledgeable in all areas of the construction field.
Another superstar is Petty Officer 3rd Class Brian James Tenderro born in Cavity City, Philippines but now calls San Diego, Calif. his hometown. In the middle of his third and a half season, “It’s like the teacher has become the master.” Tenderro is not only a playmaker but also a mentor. As the Seabee Combat Warfare Specialist (SCWS) Coordinator he has not only taken the younger players on the team under his wing; under his guidance and instruction Ramirez and Gordon were both able to acquire their SCWS qualification. And before the season is over the entire team will be SCWS Warriors.
Builder 3rd Class Clayton Cavaness, hailing from Vernon, Texas is only in his second season and is the Lead Builder, the only carpenter and the Safety Representative on Team Jalalabad, his experience and knowledge were tested immediately. Team JBAD having an undefeated record and zero safety mishaps can only be attributed to his leadership on and off the field. Cavaness is not afraid to dabble in other areas of construction and has flawlessly worked on several electrical projects.
From the “Middle East of the US,” the deserts of Kingman, Ariz., comes Utilitiesman 3rd Class Levi Alvarado. A few months shy of four years in the league, this is his breakout year – although there may not be a whole lot of work in the field of this plumber, his versatility as the detail’s heavy equipment operator keeps him very busy. Operating everything from 11k forklifts, backhoes, front end loaders, and even trenchers has enabled his team to complete every mission on or before target.
A late addition to the team, Constructionman Steelworker Drew Pollard started training camp with Team Bagram and was recruited to Jalalabad before the season opener. Playing out of Lincoln Park, Mich. this is his second year in the league, his work ethic and his relentless tempo set the pace for the team to follow. He is eager to learn and has demonstrated it by jumping in head first in other fields of construction such as operating equipment, carpentry, and even electrical work.
The final player on this all star roster is Constructionman Steelworker Joseph Blue, hailing from Benton Harbor, Mich. Blue does what is needed, when and where ever it is needed. He is a selfless worker willing to put in the time and effort to get the job done.
These Seabees remember the people who are waiting and supporting them back home. Ramirez has two boys and a beautiful wife. Gordon’s lovely bride is waiting in Ventura, Calif. Tenderro’s family and friends await his return in San Diego, Calif. Cavaness receives support from his wife in Port Hueneme, Calif. Alvarado’s wife and toddler son are waiting in Port Hueneme, Calif. Pollard has his supportive parents in Lincoln Park, Mich. From the entire crew to Mom Pollard “Thanks a lot for the pop.” And our boy Blue has his family back in Benton Harbor, Mich. We thank our loved ones for standing behind us, for the support and love you provide us! Team Jalalabad OUT!
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PB Alcatraz IIBy CM3 Susanne Salerno
On October 30, 2011, after two weeks at the new drill site, Fire Base Saenz, the water well team received word that Patrol Base Alcatraz was requesting assistance in repairing a damaged pump and electrical system associated with their newly constructed well. The team immediately dispatched Utilitiesman 2nd Class Luis Esparza and Construction Electrician 3rd Class Eric Polito on the same day to assess the damage and develop a solution. Upon arrival, they immediately diagnosed the problem and requested the necessary equipment and materials to return the well to operating capacity. During this stoppage, Patrol Base Alcatraz relied on the small construction well the team had left intact due to the good quality water it produced, albeit at six gallons per minute compared to the 60 gallons per minute the main well produced. Nonetheless, it was still able to provide enough fresh water for the camp while the main well was being repaired.
The team at Fire Base Saenz sent the requested equipment and materials by air, and within ten days the main well at Alcatraz was fully functional. Esparza and Polito did a remarkable job in replacing the pump and motor assembly, including all the electrical wiring and control panel. Before they left Alcatraz, both members of the team were presented with various parting gifts by the Marines and, upon their return to Saenz, the Officer-in-Charge, Ensign Richard Forney, presented each of them with a commanding officer’s challenge coin for their outstanding work and professionalism.
“You can hardly recognize the site and the base,” Polito said when he first talked to Chief Richard Posadas. “So much had changed, and the base grew.” After a few minutes of reuniting conversations with friends and coworkers alike, both were back at work like they had never left. Such is the work ethic of this team and we’re proud of it.
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CE3 Polito connecting the well to a generator.
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The repaired well head.
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CE3 Polito and UT2 Esparza.
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Combat Outpost Shir GhazayBy CM3 Susanne Salerno
Combat Outpost (COP) Shir Ghazay is the fourth drill site on our to-do list. From the lack of real estate to the hole in the ground some call a well, this is definitely one of the more challenging sites encountered. There is literally no room within the existing HESCO walls for a drill site, so the team had to make arrangements to extend a portion of the perimeter and erect a wall around it. To further complicate things, there is a primitive well within the compound that is being used as a water source and whose origins continue to be a mystery since there was no mention of it during a site survey conducted previously and the current residents don’t know its history. Nonetheless, a pump has been haphazardly suspended in the hole and raw water is run through a water purification system, so there are showers and laundry facilities already in service.
Despite the fact that there is raw water available, drilling a new well is in order. The existing well is not cased so there is a possibility the bore hole could cave or the clay layers could swell and suddenly stop any water production. In addition, the well is not sufficiently protected by a well head to prevent foreign material from entering and contaminating it. These, among other factors, render this well substandard so it isn’t a viable long term water source. So the decision was made to construct a new well that meets health and safety standards. Thus, COP Shir Ghazay well construction is underway.
Site preparation is complete and since a construction well is not needed in this case, time on site for the team is expected to be shorter than previous locations. The team expects to have the new water well completed in three weeks. If that goal is met, we’ll most likely move on to at least one more site before returning to Camp Leatherneck to turnover well drilling duties to the Seabees of NMCB 11.
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Expanding HESCO barriers to protect the job site.
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The new HESCO wall half filled.
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Constructing a “crows nest.”
