Photo By Cpl. Andrew Johnston | Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Laszlo Coleman, an equipment operator with Naval Mobile...... read more read more
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MARJAH, Afghanistan - Their historic track record of building and bulldozing dates back to World War II. Around the world, they erect entire bases out of nothing, in the harshest of conditions. Their unit logo is a bee charging full speed ahead, hauling a variety construction tools. They’re not just busy-bees; they’re “Seabees.”
The Seabees of Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 5 have been installing wells in Northern Marjah to improve water access and availability at Marine outposts since September. They built 2nd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment’s first well at Camp Hanson, where the base’s main water supply, a canal, will soon be diverted for yearly maintenance by the locals.
“We currently get our water from the canal, and it gets purified on camp,” explained Capt. Andrew E. Szwejbka, commanding officer for Headquarters and Service Company, 2/9. “We knew that the canal was going to be closed for yearly maintenance between January and February, so we wanted to have the well in place. We requested the well for the camp, and the Seabees showed up.”
As the Seabees began drilling, a river of muddy, bubbling water carved its way through their worksite. Caked in dirt, the sailors hammered, shoveled, pumped sludge, and surveyed soil samples.
“No matter what time it is those guys are always working,” said Cpl. Amos T. Benjamin an infantryman with 2/9.”
Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Isaiah Halverson, a steel worker with NMCB 5, said his unit never wastes any time. From the second they’re tasked with a well project, they begin a continuous shift.
“Right now, this is our third well we’ve been assigned to, and we have more to finish in 2/9’s area of operation,” said Halverson. “Usually, it takes between 20 and 30 days to get everything done. We’re moving really fast on this one, so it may be done faster. We’re out here servicing all branches of the military. We’re all on the same team so we try to move as fast as possible.”
After two weeks of around-the-clock drilling, they hit the water table, but Halverson said it was just the beginning. Without hesitation, the team continued worked into the midnight hours until a second shift replaced them and pushed past dawn.
“It’s great knowing all branches can come together and work as one,” said Benjamin. “Everyone is here working towards the same goal. To be able to call on another branch and have them work as diligently and as hard as these guys have says a lot about how far we’ve come as a whole military.”
| Date Taken: | 10.23.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 10.23.2010 10:18 |
| Story ID: | 58674 |
| Location: | MARJAH, AF |
| Web Views: | 607 |
| Downloads: | 7 |
This work, Seabees help Devil Dogs in Marjah, by Cpl Andrew Johnston, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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