Photo By Sgt. Ricardo Hurtado | Commander Jeff Lengkeek, commanding officer for Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 4,...... read more read more
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CHANTHABURI, Kingdom of Thailand—U.S. Sailor with Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 4, Thai Marines with combat engineer battalion, Royal Thai Marine Corps and members of the Indian Army received a visit from Commander Jeff Lengkeek, commanding officer, NMCB 4, in Kang Hang Maew, Chanthaburi province, Kingdom of Thailand, Feb. 6, 2015.
The group of multinational service members is working in the construction of a 7.8-by-20-meter masonry, multi-purpose building to serve as a library for Ban Chanta Kream, the school that serves the children of that area, and a community center for that district. The mission is part of the Engineer Civil/Humanitarian Assistance Program (ENCAP) portion Exercise Cobra Gold 2015.
CG-15 is a combined forces exercise taking place across Thailand from Feb. 10-20, designed to advance regional security and ensure effective responses to crises in the area. It includes a specific focus on human civic action, community engagement and medical activities to support the needs and humanitarian interest of civilian population around the region
During his visit, Lengkeek saw the progress of the project and how Sailors of NMCB 4 work hand-to-hand with their counterparts.
“I was able to see how our forces learn from each other, how they share skills,” said Lengkeek. “[I also noticed] how the subject matter experts from each of the countries partner with each other and share both our construction skills and our military skills here on site.”
Lengkeek also highlighted the importance of working with multinational counterparts to strengthen interoperability while helping the community of Kang Hang Maew.
“Cobra Gold has a huge impact in Thailand, and the Seabees are always happy to play a part of it,” said Lengkeek. “The school here will have a library facility, and it will stand as a testament to the hard work of the U.S. Forces and the partners from Thailand and India.”
While working in the vicinity of the school, members of the construction team have the chance to interact with children from the area; Lengkeek believes that interaction serves as another way to positively impact the community.
“The professional forces form different services and countries serve as role models to the kids out here,” said Lengkeek. “Seeing the looks on the kids’ faces when they get a high five from one the Seabees or when the see one of the female Seabees working on a project the same as their male counterparts; those are images that will stick with them for their whole lives and that is a huge impact.”
Petty Officer 1st Class Jeffery Agee, a crew leader with NMCB 4, briefed the commander on the progress made in the site, and said Lengkeek seemed very pleased with what he saw.
Lengkeek addressed the multinational team of builders, at the end of the visit, and handed out challenge coins as a gesture of gratitude for their hard work.
The team continues to work on the construction of the structure, which is scheduled to be completed and delivered by Feb. 17.
The building will be handed over officially to the local community through a dedication ceremony, which will take place after the structure has been completed.
| Date Taken: | 02.06.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 02.12.2015 23:52 |
| Story ID: | 154409 |
| Location: | CHANTHABURI, TH |
| Web Views: | 396 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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