NMCB 11 REPAIRS GATE ARM FOR KNOWN DISTANCE RANGE ON NAVAL BASE GUAM

Photo By Lt.j.g. Joshua Marks | 200429-N-SK929-1003 SANTA RITA, Guam (Apr. 29, 2021) A Seabee assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 11 Det. Guam uses shielded metal arc welding to join the support arm to the metal pipe during repair of the Known Distance Range gate arm on Naval Base Guam. NMCB 11 Det. Guam is forward-deployed to execute construction, humanitarian assistance, theater security cooperation, and support Major Combat Operations in the U.S. 7th Fleet areas of operation. (U.S. Navy photo by Lt. j.g. Joshua R. Marks)  

SANTA RITA, GUAM

04.30.2021

Story by Lt.j.g. Joshua Marks 

Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 11

SANTA RITA, GUAM - Seabees assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 11 Det. Guam completed repair of the gate arm to the Known Distance Range on board Naval Base Guam enhancing physical security of the Range on April 30.

Several Seabees had been supporting the CTF 75 Naval Integrated Exercise expeditionary camp site at the Orote Hideaway with power generation and distribution services when they noticed the nearby damaged gate arm.

Upon first sight, Steelworker 3rd Class Jacob Deaton’s initial thought was “That is definitely something that we can fix.”

Deaton, who serves as NMCB 11 Det. Guam’s Steelworker Shop Supervisor, promptly started planning the repair process. He knew that his team had the skill, material, and equipment necessary for the repair. Using angle grinders to remove the damaged arm and shielded metal arc welding to install its replacement from excess metal pipe available in the Steelworker Shop, they could make short work of the project that could otherwise take weeks to solicit and construct through conventional contractors.

All that the Seabees needed was approval from the facility managers which was quickly and enthusiastically provided.

“To me, this project showcased the can do spirit of the Seabees,” said Jacob Deaton. “We saw a need that we knew we could meet and we immediately took action to make it happen. Although the project might be small, I am so proud of how our team showed their ability to translate their vision into reality.”

The “can do” spirit mentioned by Deaton is a motto of the Seabees inscribed on the Seabee Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery. Also inscribed are the words “The difficult we do at once. The impossible takes a bit longer!”

Lifting the 450-pound gate arm, according to Deaton, was a difficult task for his small team, but despite its difficulty the Seabees knew they could complete it and that their strenuous effort was the best way to see it through.

NMCB 11 Det. Guam is forward-deployed to execute construction, humanitarian assistance, theater security cooperation, and support Major Combat Operations in the U.S. 7th Fleet areas of operation.

• Date Taken: 04.30.2021
• Date Posted: 05.03.2021 10:05
• Story ID: 395194
• Location: SANTA RITA, GU