CAMP LEMONNIER, Djibouti – Seabees assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 11 are making steady progress with construction of a storage facility on Camp Lemonnier.
The facility will be used to store perishable construction materials, such as concrete, that require protection from the elements.
When complete, the 4,000 square foot pre-engineered building will be accessible by equipment, such as a forklift, at both ends via concrete ramps and rollup doors in addition to standard doors for personnel.
Construction of the building will involve assembling and connecting steel beams and aluminum siding that have been fabricated by the manufacturer and engineered to meet specific requirements.
The Seabees have been anticipating the project since deploying to Djibouti in August. There was, however, some uncertainty with the project’s funding, but the crew has since been given the green light to proceed.
“Everyone was ready to work, and now we’re happy to be getting it done,” said Steelworker 2nd Class Eldon N. Fleming, the project crew leader.
Fleming, a Sidney, Ohio native, is on his sixth deployment in 11 years of active duty Navy service. He said that staying busy is important for any deployment because it helps the time pass quicker. He and his seven-person crew are now working six days a week and eight to 12 hours per day.
Completion of the project is schedule for late December 2013.
The naval construction force is a vital component of the U.S. maritime strategy. They offer deployable battalions capable of providing contingency construction, disaster preparation and recovery support, humanitarian assistance, and combat operations support.
With its home-port in Gulfport, Miss., NMCB-11 is currently deployed to multiple locations in support of U.S. Africa Command, U.S. European Command, U.S. Central Command and U.S. Pacific Command areas of responsibility.
NMCB-11's Detail HOA is a CJTF-HOA unit whose mission includes stabilizing and strengthening security in East Africa through military-to-military engagements with partner nations.