HELMAND PROVINCE, Afghanistan - Seabees from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 3, Det. Meerkat completed a vital three mile section of road outside of the protective walls of Camp Dwyer, April 15, 2011.
The Seabees of Det. Meerkat deployed from Camp Leatherneck in February to Camp Dwyer in order to repair its road and entry control point that was heavily damaged during the seasonal rains this year.
The road repair was a vital improvement to conditions that made day to day travel easier for units who will use the road. Because all of the construction was outside the safety of Camp Dwyer, a Marine unit was on scene to provide security while the Seabees made the repairs.
For some of the Seabees, it was a unique experience. “This is the first time I have been a detachment Officer in Charge,” said Chief Petty Officer Deanna Robison, equipment operator. “It’s been a challenging learning opportunity, but at the same time, it’s been great fun working out here and training the troops.”
“This project is a good change of pace for me,” said Petty Officer 1st Class Peter Izarra, equipment operator. "I’m usually the license examiner for the command, so going from a desk job to coming out here is great.”
For other Seabees, this is their first deployment, and it has been an exciting one. “Coming straight from A-school to deployment is kind of trial by fire,” said Constructionman Chase Kerbrat, equipment operator. “It has been beneficial though. I have already qualified on 10 different pieces of equipment and I’m almost done getting my Seabee Combat Warfare Qualification!”
The road project took 45 days to complete and greatly improved the tactical and strategic capabilities of the Marines operating out of Camp Dwyer.
NMCB 3 is an expeditionary element of US Naval Forces providing construction, engineering and security services in support of national strategy, Naval power projection, humanitarian assistance and contingency operations.