Seabees Help Marines Spearhead Effort

Defend America News ^ | Cpl. Wayne Edmiston

[SandRat]

Seabees Help Marines Spearhead Effort

Teamwork builds combat outposts in Amariyah-Ferris Region.

By Cpl. Wayne Edmiston
2nd Marine Logistics Group

AMARIYAH-FERRIS REGION, Iraq, May 1, 2007 — The 30th Naval Construction Regiment conducted a mission supporting the effort to drive insurgents out of the Amariyah-Ferris area with the construction of combat outposts here.

Eighth Engineer Support Battalion, 2nd Marine Logistics Group (Forward), spearheaded the operation with the helping hand of Seabees attached to them by the regiment.

These Seabees, a collaboration of sailors from various naval mobile construction battalions, joined the Marines in the project, which included the installation of air conditioning, plumbing, barriers and wire.

“Getting to see what you have accomplished and learning different ways of doing things from different people is the best part.”

Seaman Roland J. Kindell

“Normally we work independently,” said Petty Officer 2nd Class Ryan A. Casto, an utilitiesman with Bravo Company, NMCB-28. “Every once in a while, we get to come with the Marines.”

Throughout their history, the Seabees have often served right alongside their Marine brethren.

In 1942, when the Seabees were founded, men already skilled in specific trades were recruited to construct forward operating bases in the Pacific theatre during World War II.

Many Seabees, older than the Marines they worked alongside, used their civilian experience to provide an asset to the military. The average age of a Seabee then was 37.

The same is true today. The average enlisted age of the regiment is roughly 35, according to Casto, a native of London, Ark.

The average age of an enlisted Marine is 23 years old, according to the U.S. Marine Corps Almanac.

But with the older age of the Seabees comes wisdom developed from working in the civilian sector and helping build forward operating bases and combat outposts continues to remain in their repertoire.

A Navy Seabee unwinds wire on the outskirts of Combat Outpost Blackhawk, Amariyah-Ferris Region, Iraq, April 14, 2007. These Seabees, a collaboration of sailors from various naval mobile construction battalions, joined the Marines in the project, which included the installation of air conditioning, plumbing, barriers and wire. The Seabee is with the 30th Naval Construction Regiment, II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward). U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Wayne Edmiston

The main purpose for the Seabees at this site was the construction of modular protective billeting, a building where servicemembers can stay that is fortified to withstand the dangers of the battlefield, according to Seaman Roland J. Kindell, a builder and native of New Orleans.

The Seabees said they especially enjoy working alongside the Marines in a forward environment.

“The Marines put pep in your step,” said Kindell. “They are motivated and are real go-getters.”

The Seabees, much like their Marine counterparts, consider themselves a small tight-knit group.

“The Seabees are like a family. We know quite a few in every unit and in every rate,” Casto said.

In addition, the Seabees say they approach every task with a “can do” attitude, fitting right alongside their longtime motto, “We Build, We Fight.”

“We get the job done whatever it takes,” Kindell continued.

Kindell also said that in the Seabee extended family, commitment to teamwork is essential for completing the job.

“Getting to see what you have accomplished and learning different ways of doing things from different people is the best part,” Kindell said.

[SandRat]

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[glennshepard]

Seabees are awesome...the Senior Enlisted adviser in my sister company is a BUC/S and he’s a really great person. I have a tremendous amount of respect for the Seabees.

[B4Ranch]

Git ‘er done, SeaBee
CAN DO, Jarhead

[meandog]

Seabees Help Marines Spearhead Effort

...shouldn't surprise anyone 'cause Sailors have always been helping jarheads get out of tough jams.

[SevenMinusOne]

Seebees do a tremendous job - Often overlooked but greatly valued -

Plus they are some of the best guys to know down range. They can seemingly get their hands on anything you might need!....

[WTSand]

My nephew just got back from Iraq. He was a Seabee in Rhamadi rebuilding the police stations. He preferred being “outside the wire” with the grunts.