2nd CEB plays key role in Florence clean-up

Photo By Lance Cpl. Isaiah Gomez | U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Tyler J. Sheldon, left, combat engineer, Mobility Assault Company, 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, directs the driver of an armored vehicle launch bridge after Hurricane Florence on Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, Sept. 16, 2018. Hurricane Florence impacted MCB Camp Lejeune and Marine Corps Air Station New River with periods of strong winds, heavy rains, flooding of urban and low lying areas, flash floods and coastal storm surges. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Lance Cpl. Isaiah Gomez)  

CAMP LEJEUNE, NC, UNITED STATES

01.07.2019

Story by Lance Cpl. Ashley Gomez 

Marine Corps Installations East       

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. – Four months ago, Hurricane Florence swept through the East Coast hitting Camp Lejeune and the surrounding areas with approximately 30 inches of rain, leaving behind a trail of destruction on Sep. 13-15, 2018.
Although four months have passed, Camp Lejeune is still recovering and 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion has been a substantial help in the restoration of the installation.
“2nd CEB participated in base recovery operations for a three week period,” said Capt. Jeremy Cooper, operations officer, 2nd CEB. “We had three teams to conduct these operations that consisted of heavy equipment, chainsaw teams and personnel to remove debris. These teams were ran by the non-commissioned officers with a gunnery sergeant as the supervisor.”
According to Cooper, it was estimated that 2nd CEB removed 110 tons of debris from housing areas, training areas and around some of the headquarters buildings. The Marines and Sailors cut and removed trees from approximately 400 houses and opened roads in all training areas.
“It was important for CEB to conduct these operations because II MEF and their families required the ability to maneuver around the base,” said Cooper. “Our operations were critical to keep all road networks open so utility crews could come in and restore services to base infrastructure.
Additionally, CEB worked closely with range control to clear debris from training areas and training ranges which enabled units to return and train in a timely manner.”
2nd CEB is the only unit in the division that has chainsaws and large amounts of heavy equipment to conduct operations of this type.
“Hurricane Florence was a devastating storm that caused significant damage to our base, homes and businesses,” said Cooper. “With many key leaders out of the area, all of this was accomplished by the non-commissioned officers, junior Marines and Sailors. Success was achieved through their hard work, dedication, decentralization and ability to step into leadership positions.”

• Date Taken: 01.07.2019
• Date Posted: 01.09.2019 10:14
• Story ID: 306505
• Location: CAMP LEJEUNE, NC, US