By Construction Mechanic 3rd Class Jesse Browning
Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 4 Det. San Clemente Island
Seabees assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 4 Det. San Clemente Island successfully completed the demolition and enhanced rebuild of a Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC) landing pad, June 6, in time for the start of the 2016 Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise.
Through cooperative efforts from the crew, all aspects of the construction project were accomplished using technical knowledge and proper application of construction equipment. The 120 ft. by 118 ft. landing pad, placed in 16 separate concrete pours began Apr. 5. The construction crew worked with the determination of the “Can Do” spirit to complete the job in a timely and professional manner.
“Our crew ran like a well-oiled machine. The new Seabees worked hand-in-hand with the more seasoned crewmembers and rose to the occasion,” said Builder 2nd Class Mitchell Rodriguez. “At the beginning of the project, I had to pay attention to my junior troops to get a feel for their skill sets. Fortunately they made my job easier because within a week, they understood what their role was and we were working together like a well-choreographed team.”
The crew was comprised of builders, steelworkers, utilitiesmen, construction electricians and equipment operators, who each brought their own contributions and expertise to the team. Construction mechanics were constantly at the project site as well, ensuring the equipment and small engine tools were properly maintained and repaired to keep the project on schedule.
From the beginning safety and efficiency were at the forefront of all plans. Equipment Operator 1st Class James Schwertfeger, detail quality control and safety representative, ensured the highest standards during the execution of construction tasks. He performed rigorous testing and inspections throughout the process.
“The key to maintaining high standards through a lengthy project is time management. Maintain your schedule,” said Schwertfeger. “The crew prefabricated many pieces ahead of time and through proper planning and estimating, the entire process ran smoothly from start to finish. With a good plan, flexibility and the right crew that maintained quality standards, the project was able to finish ahead of schedule.”
The impact NMCB 4 has made on San Clemente Island goes further than a finished project. The LCAC landing pad will play a major role in the 2016 RIMPAC exercise, the largest maritime operation in the world. This year is slated to be the largest RIMPAC to date since it began in 1971, with 27 nations participating, 45 naval sea craft including 5 submarines, 200 aircraft, and over 250,000 personnel contributing to the exercise.
NMCB 4 is a forward deployed pacific NMCB ready to support Major Combat Operations and Humanitarian Assistance/ Disaster Relief operations and to provide general engineering and civil support to Navy, Marine Corps and joint operational forces. Homeported out of Port Hueneme, Calif., NMCB 4 has detachment sites deployed throughout the United States and Pacific area of operations, including Cambodia, Diego Garcia, Guam, Japan, Philippines, Republic of Korea and Timor Leste.
For more news from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 4, visit www.public.navy.mil/necc/1ncd/Pages/NMCB4 or follow NMCB 4 on Facebook at www.facebook.com/NMCB4