HELMAND PROVINCE, Afghanistan - National Geographic Explorer recently sent a video crew to document the construction and expansion of Camp Leatherneck in the Helmand province of Afghanistan. Sept. 21, Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 74 escorted the crew to a perimeter expansion construction site.
Mags Miller, a producer for the documentary, said that her directive came shortly after the head of National Geographic visited Camp Leatherneck with the National Security Advisor General James Jones about two months ago. According to Miller, he was absolutely amazed by the camp.
The National Geographic crew has spent the last five weeks filming troops at Camp Leatherneck, as well as some of the surrounding forward operating bases and combat outposts within the Helmand province of Afghanistan.
"The reality is that Leatherneck is the heart of this mission in the Helmand province and the FOBs and COPs are where the heart pumps too," said Miller.
The first phase of construction for Camp Leatherneck was finished in May 2009 by NMCB-5, and now Leatherneck is home to the Marine Expeditionary Brigade —Afghanistan. The second phase of construction, which will triple the size of the camp, has been the responsibility of NMCB-74 since, Aug. 18th.
"From what I've heard and seen, it's the Seabees who physically built the berms up and did the billeting in not so secure areas," Miller said. "Without the Seabees, I don't think the Marines would be able to have a camp like Leatherneck."
Ensign Eric Julius, Leatherneck expansion project officer, NMCB-74, was interviewed on camera and answered many questions concerning the mission of the Seabees at Leatherneck. Julius showed the crew what they were doing on the expansion project. He laid out what the battalion's goals are and how they are going to accomplish them.
"Our goal is to expand Leatherneck and provide a staging area for the Marines," he told Miller. "We are helping them accomplish their mission."
The Seabees of NMCB-74 expressed gratitude for National Geographic's efforts to showcase the important work they've carried out in Helmand province.
The documentary is slated to air early next year.
| Date Taken: | 09.21.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 10.03.2009 02:05 |
| Story ID: | 39624 |
| Location: | HELMAND PROVINCE, AF |
| Web Views: | 681 |
| Downloads: | 501 |
This work, National Geographic Explorer Makes Documentary, Highlights Seabees, by CPO Michael Lindsey, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
