The EOD Vehicle Storage Project began in April 2017 and is a 50 foot by 56 foot reinforced concrete structure that will provide protection from the weather for vehicles utilized by EOD. The design of the building is multifunctional and can be constructed by Seabees in a variety of environments. While the project meets the mission requirements of the local EOD unit, it also provides the Seabees of NMCB-11 with valuable training and experience in concrete construction.
Procuring construction material on Guam can often be challenging. When the Seabees of NMCB-11 arrived on island, the project had been delayed largely due to the inability to procure certain parts needed to erect the formwork for the tall concrete walls. Thinking outside the box, the Seabees of “Lucky Eleven” identified an alternate method of constructing the walls that utilized material already on hand, or expected to arrive on island within weeks. Formulating a new design, they worked hand in hand with Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Marianas and 30th Naval Construction Regiment engineers to quickly review the design, which was approved by NAVFAC structural engineers within weeks.
“Getting those form plans approved was a big relief for us” said the Project Supervisor Builder 1st Class Martin Riddle. “We have been planning this project for months and to finally be out working on site and overcoming obstacles is a great thing!”
The first order of business for the Seabees after completing the move-in on the site was to hand brush the existing reinforcing steel at the project site, which was exposed to the elements for several months. After the reinforcing steel is brushed, the Seabees began erecting wooden formwork for the walls which will hold the concrete in place when it is placed.
NMCB-11 is a Seabee Battalion specializing in contingency construction, disaster response and humanitarian assistance. The Battalion is homeported in Gulfport MS.