By Builder 3rd Class William Coney IV
Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 3 Public Affairs
LIQUICA, Timor-Leste – Seabees from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 3’s Timor-Leste Civic Construction Action Detail (CCAD) were honored guest at the Tibar Primary School ribbon cutting ceremony, Jan. 11.
The ceremony marked the completion of the additional schoolhouse at Tibar Primary School in Liquica, Timor-Leste, recognizing several months of joint construction efforts between the U.S. Seabees and Falintil Forcas Defesa Timor Leste (F-FDTL).
Karen Stanton, U.S. Ambassador for the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste and Major Pete Roonsang attended the ceremony.
The event began with speeches by distinguished visitors lauded the accomplishments of the military engineers and how the additional facility improved the school.
“We are thankful to the American Embassy and military for the wonderful building they have provided us,” said Antonio DeAgusto, the school director. “The addition of this facility will provide the school with needed support for over 400 students.”
During the ceremony, the local community put on a show of culture and dances for the Seabees. Shortly after the entertainment, the Seabees had a traditional meal with the community, and then joined the locals in traditional dancing.
“The ribbon cutting ceremony was a once in a lifetime event to be a part of,” said Builder 1st Class Andrew Crowther. “To see the extreme gratitude these kids had for the troops was overwhelming to say the least. The troops got to see what their hard work does for this country and it’s a direct representation of why we do what we do.”
NMCB 3 Seabees and F-FDTL completed a four-room schoolhouse, 33 meters by 7.4 meters, with an eight-stall bathroom complete with 12 windows, six doors, fully functional electrical, and plumbing.
“We utilized everyone’s experience and expertise up and down the chain of command to help us produce a product for 400 children for many years to come,” Builder 2nd Class Kenneth Schulz, Project Supervisor.
The Seabees of NMCB 3’s CCAD Timor-Leste continues to conduct Officer in Charge Discretionary (OIC-D) projects throughout the community to improve the welfare of the people of Timor-Leste.
NMCB 3 is homeported in Port Hueneme, Calif., and is currently deployed to Okinawa, Japan. The mission of NMCB 3 is to support Navy and joint forces throughout the U.S. Pacific Command (PACOM) Area of Responsibility (AOR) through construction projects and humanitarian missions in more than 13 different geographical locations.