USA: Naval Facilities Engineering Command Southeast Celebrates Seabee’s 70th Birthday

Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Southeast gathered at their headquarters building in Jacksonville, Fla. March 5 to celebrate the 70th birthday of the Seabees.

“Today is a special day,” said Commanding Officer Capt. John Heinzel. “Let’s kick this off by singing the Song of the Seabees.”

Everyone was reminded of the message NAVFAC Commander and Chief of Civil Engineers Rear Adm. Christopher J. Mossey sent out regarding this special day.

“I am proud of the contributions our engineers are making in war and in peace in support of our warfighters,” said Rear Adm. Mossey. “Not only are CEC officers leading Seabees into combat, but they also are building and maintaining the infrastructure the Navy needs to train, deploy, and take care of our families.”

The Seabees, founded by Rear Adm. Ben Moreell in 1942, rose to fame during World War II when the Navy’s construction battalions or “CBs” provided combat support for the Allied war effort. They assisted in constructing an artificial harbor at Normandy after D-Day, supported Marines on Iwo Jima, and transformed countless islands and outposts into workable bases for the Allied march to victory. Led by CEC officers, the Seabees’ official motto “Construimus Batuimus” translates to English as “we build we fight.”

Locally, Seabees from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 7 participated in paving the perimeter road at OLF Whitehouse between August and October 2011. They are currently deployed to U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) performing work in support of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) mission.

Seabees from Construction Battalion Maintenance Unit (CBMU) 202 Det Jacksonville completed a pre-engineered (PEB) Admin Facility inside their own compound on Naval Air Station Jacksonville. The structure is a 4,300 square foot, two stories high and houses all the administrative functions of the detachment.

CBMU 202 Detatchment Jacksonville also finished a PEB inside the weapons compound for Naval Munitions Command, Det Jacksonville. The structure is a 4,890 square foot building designed to store equipment and keep it out of the elements.

Seabees from CBMU 202 Det Jacksonville just completed a 110 square foot office build out in Bldg 103. This office was for the Elevator and Boiler inspector supervisor. This relocation affords the Continuous Process Improvement team to co-locate with Public Works Business Line strengthening the ability to improve metrics and process improvements within PWBL.

Self Help Seabees from Naval Station Mayport have assisted NAVFAC Southeast throughout the year on numerous occasions with specialized engraved trophies and brass plates.

Today, Seabees are deployed all over the world from Iraq and Afghanistan to the Philippines and the Horn of Africa and most recently in Haiti where they are providing humanitarian assistance.

Whether at home or abroad, the Seabees reach out to the local community through humanitarian and relief efforts by building schools, delivering supplies, or renovating buildings in much need for improvement.

[mappress]
Source: Naval Today Staff, March 09, 2012