Navy Seabees increase camp’s capacity

Photo By Maj. Marvin Baker | A group of seven Seabees from Naval Construction Battalion 133 pose for a photo, after completing their final building project as they end their deployment.  

KABUL, AFGHANISTAN

02.08.2013

Story by Capt. Marvin Baker 

Joint Task Force 136th (Maneuver Enhancement Brigade)

KABUL, Afghanistan — Task Force Centurion is responsible for the transfer or closing of coalition facilities in the Kabul Base Cluster as the U.S. draws down and consolidates its forces in Afghanistan. The unit moved a step closer to their goal recently, with the help of the Navy, when they completed a construction project to increase the living capacity on Camp Phoenix.

The extra assistance came in the form of a group of construction specialists from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 133, who took an empty building nearly two-thirds the size of a football field and turned it into a two-story living space for almost 200 coalition service members.

“When we got here, this was just an empty building,” said Petty Officer 2nd Class Luciano Montemayor, a steel worker in the unit. “We brought in all the materials. We used about 4,000 pounds of plywood alone.”

Lt. Col. Stephanie Purgerson, the Camp Phoenix base commander, said the group’s work saved her unit nearly $200,000 and a month of work when compared to hiring a civilian contractor.

“Another great benefit of this joint project is the building’s location,” said Purgerson. “It’s centrally located on the camp, near major facilities and that’s becomes important when guests arrive here late at night and don’t know where everything is located.”

• Date Taken: 02.08.2013
• Date Posted: 02.15.2013 06:06
• Story ID: 102067
• Location: KABUL, AF