U.S. Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 4 Construction Civic Action Detail (CCAD) Timor Leste achieved a major milestone in the construction of a 3-classroom primary schoolhouse with engineers from the Timor Leste Defense Force (F-FDTL), Apr. 18.
“We were able to reach our first major milestone today,” said Project Supervisor Builder 1st Class Brian Whitsitt “We placed the initial concrete to stabilize the soil and provide a strong base for the footers that will support the weight of the primary schoolhouse building.”
CCAD Timor Leste began construction of the schoolhouse after a change of charge ceremony with NMCB 3, Mar. 14. The project started with the transportation of materials, tools and equipment to the project site. With the site prepared and the building dimensions measured and marked, the crew began excavating for the foundation.
“This project is one of the reasons why I joined the Navy; we are lucky to have opportunities like this to help a country build a school that will serve more than 400 students,” said Whitsitt. “In the short time we have been in Timor Leste, our Seabees have worked hand-in-hand with the host nation and have made a significant impact on the community. I look forward to completing this project and many others like it.”
From the start, the project was challenging due to runoff from frequent rains that flooded the site. However, the crew was able to build a berm to minimize the water flow onto the site ensuring the F-FDTL engineers and Seabees could complete excavation, place and level footer forms, and stage rebar mats at the job site. Overcoming the challenges, crewmembers were excited to make noticeable progress on the project.
“Working at the project site in this climate is challenging because of the high temperature and humidity,” said Utilitiesman Constructionman Christopher Parrilla. “But at the end of the day, all the hard work we put into the school will be worth it because this project will be here for many years and it will benefit the children in this area.”
NMCB 4 is the forward deployed pacific NMCB ready to support Major Combat Operations and Humanitarian Assistance/ Disaster Relief operations and to provide general engineering and civil support to Navy, Marine Corps and joint operational forces. Homeported out of Port Hueneme, Calif., NMCB 4 has detachment sites deployed throughout the United States and Pacific area of operations, including Cambodia, Diego Garcia, Guam, Japan, Philippines, Republic of Korea and Timor Leste.
For more news from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 4, visit www.public.navy.mil/necc/1ncd/Pages/NMCB4 or follow NMCB 4 on Facebook at www.facebook.com/NMCB4
| Date Taken: | 04.18.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 04.21.2016 05:36 |
| Story ID: | 196033 |
| Location: | DILI, TL |
| Web Views: | 221 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Seabees Achieve Milestone on Timor Leste Schoolhouse, by CPO Rosalie Chang, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
LEAVE A COMMENT