Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 27 Improves Combat Outpost Tripoli

IRAQ

10.22.2008

Story by Petty Officer 2nd Class Kenneth Robinson 

Naval Construction Battalion 27

By Petty Officer 2nd Class Kenneth W. Robinson
Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 27

TRIPOLI, Iraq – Seabees assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 27 are building projects aimed at improving the quality of life for Marines conducting operations at Marine Combat Outpost Tripoli, in Western Iraq's al-Anbar province. The Seabees have constructed Southwest Asia huts and are putting finishing touches on the Battle Aid Station located at the COP.

The Seabees, a highly motivated team, work day and night to accomplish this mission.

"We are deployed here to Iraq on a construction mission," said utilitiesman Petty Officer 1st Class Scott Taylor of Spruce Creek, Pa. "We are building and improving the various camps to improve the quality of life for our Marine brothers, which will enable them to be more attentive in their mission,"

NMCB 27 hit the ground running after taking over from NMCB 17 in mid-September. Many Seabees got off a flight from Kuwait and stepped on a convoy -- headed directly to the construction project at Tripoli.

"Our mission to support the Marines is important to me," said construction electrician Petty Officer 1st Class Peter Maxon of Plainville, Maine. "We make life better for the Marines, and in turn they are helping our Iraqi allies make life better for themselves."

Among the many tasks assigned to the Seabees, the detachment restored four non-functioning restroom trailers in one day's time, resurrected decommissioned shower trailers to accommodate the influx of females to the base. The Seabees also improved areas of the perimeter that were vulnerable to enemy infiltration by closing gaps in the berm areas and leveling areas that created dead space. They also constructed stairways to several posts to prevent Marines from suffering non-combat injuries. To further aid in the comfort and welfare of the Marines, the Seabees also converted several ISO-containers into living areas in response to billeting shortages at the camp.

Gunnery Sgt. Mark Shawhan of 3rd Battalion 7th Marine Regiment Kilo Company remarked, "This is an outstanding group of people, always willing to help, no matter the time of day. It is not unusual to see the Bee's working at midnight or later, and they never complain."

Shawhan also added, "The Seabees are the single best group of support personnel I have ever worked with. The Navy should be proud. They are truly second to none."

The Seabees of 27 bring a broad range of technical and military skills providing a unique capability to the general support engineering mission. In addition to the construction, these essential capabilities include robust organic support functions such as logistics, maintenance and communications.

"Being here is a life challenging experience. You meet new people and learn a lot about another culture," said utilitiesman constructionman Seaman Brian Foster of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. "We get treated very well and are appreciated by the Marines for what we do."

During a recent site overview from NMCB 27, commanding officer James Robbins said, "The Seabees have done so much with so little for so long that they can do anything with nothing!"

The Seabees of 27 also known as the "Skibees" are homeported out of Brunswick, Maine, and are deployed in Iraq and other areas in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.

• Date Taken: 10.22.2008
• Date Posted: 10.22.2008 02:41
• Story ID: 25360
• Location: IQ