Boys (and girls) with big toys in the dirt (SeaBee Gallery)

[HeyJoe]

090429-N-9410R-002 HELMAND PROVINCE, Afghanistan (April 29, 2009) Seabees assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 5 use a sky track fork lift to transport trusses during the Marine expeditionary brigade building project. NMCB-5 is deployed to Afghanistan supporting the NATO International Security Assistance Force. NMCB-5 is one of the Naval Expeditionary Combat Command warfighting support elements providing host nation construction support and security. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class E. Rosario/Released)

090427-N-3560G-176 VENTURA COUNTY, Calif. (April 28, 2009) Construction Mechanic 1st Class John Ledford, center right, explains the purpose of a fighting position to Commodore Robert Noblefranca, Commander, Naval Construction Brigade, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City, Philippines during a Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 4 command post exercise. Commodore Noblefranca visited Naval Base Ventura County to observe the operations of the U.S. Navy Seabees. (U.S.Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Ronald Gutridge/Released)

090505-N-9410R-119 HELMAND PROVINCE, Afghanistan (May 5, 2009) Builder 3rd Class Arturo Arellano, assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 5, and Cpl. Jason Laib, assigned to the U.S. Marine Corps 8th Engineering Support Battalion, build a truss at the Barley Company Prefabrication Yard at Camp Natasha. NMCB-5 is deployed to Afghanistan supporting the NATO International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) and to provide host nation construction support and security. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class E. Rosario/Released)

090429-N-9584H-004 FORT HUNTER LIGGETT, Calif. (April 29, 2009) Seabees assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 22 repel a simulated enemy attack during Operation Bearing Duel 2009, an annual Field Training Exercise to test the battalion's ability to deploy to a contingency environment. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Ernesto Hernandez Fonte/Released)

090430-N-0981M-041 KANDAHAR, Afghanistan (April 30, 2009) Builder 3rd Class Amy Higgins, assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 11 Air Detachment Afghanistan, builds a Southwest Asia hut at Kandahar Air Field, Afghanistan. NMCB 11 is embarked aboard the amphibious transport dock ship USS Nashville (LPD 13) supporting Africa Partnership Station, a multinational initiative developed by Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Africa to work with U.S. and international partners to enhance maritime safety and security in West and Central Africa. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jeffrey R. Militzer/Released)

 

[HeyJoe]

More Men (and women) at work in the dirt

090429-N-9410R-033 HELMAND PROVINCE, Afghanistan (April 29, 2009) Engineering Aid 3rd Class Raynante B. Taa records the information being relayed to him from Steelworker Constructionman Lisa W. Majzoub who is taking measurements during their surveying project at Camp Bastion. Both Seabees are assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 5. Who is deployed to Afghanistan is support of NATO International Security Assistance Force. NMCB-5 is one of the Naval Expeditionary Combat Command warfighting support elements providing host nation construction support and security. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class E. Rosario/Released)

090428-N-3674H-086 GULFPORT, Miss. (April 28, 2009) Utilitiesman 3rd Class William Shuck, assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 74, standing right, practices a counter to a front bear hug during a Marine Corps Martial Arts Program Gray Belt Course at Naval Construction Battalion Center Gulfport, Miss. Once students achieve their gray belt they can take additional courses to become instructors. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class John Hulle/Released)

090424-N-9410R-016 HELMAND PROVINCE, Afghanistan (April 24, 2009) Seabees assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 5 move lumber in the prefabrication yard for a Marine expeditionary brigade building project. NMCB-5 is deployed to Afghanistan supporting NATO International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) as one of the Naval Expeditionary Combat Command war fighting support elements providing host nation construction support and security. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class E. Rosario/Released)

090421-N-1139L-003 AFGHANISTAN (April 21, 2009) Seabees assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 11 board a military helicopter for transportation to build Special Forces camps at undisclosed locations in Afghanistan. Members of NMCB-11 are deployed throughout Europe, Southwest Asia, Africa, and the Southern Command area of responsibility supporting operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom. (U.S. Navy photo by Lt. Richard L. Li/Released)

090413-N-8547M-010 HELMAND PROVINCE, Afghanistan (April 13, 2009) Construction Electrician 2nd Class Ryan Moberly, right, and Utilitiesman 3rd Class Jeffrey Schuett, both assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 5 Convoy Security Element, use a MARCbot IV during a familiarization exercise. Seabees use remote-control vehicles with mounted video cameras to investigate suspicious areas while on convoys in Southern Afghanistan. NMCB-5 is one of the Naval Expeditionary Combat Command warfighting support elements providing host nation contingency construction support and security. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Patrick W. Mullen III/Released)

090406-M-2727G-001 MASBATE, Republic of the Philippines (April 6, 2009) Armed Forces of the Philippines Air Force engineers assigned to the 356th Aviation Engineering Group, and Seabees assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 40 survey the construction site where a new water well system will be built in the Dap Dap and Sawang areas during a Balikatan 2009 community service project. Balikatan is an annual combined, joint-bilateral exercise involving U.S. Military and Armed Forces of the Philippines personnel as well as subject matter experts from Philippine Civil Defense Agencies. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Antwain J. Graham/Released)

 

[BurghGuy]

ooh-rah SeaBees!!

That's good stuff. I was surprised seeing a post on us "dirt sailors" on AW. Made my day.

 

[Flugelman]

My next door neighbor at NAS Barbers Point was a SeaBee Chief. It was his oft stated opinion that SeaBees were the only people in the Navy that did "Real Work". Interesting discussions always ensued...

 

[sickboy]

If I wasn't going for Aviation, I would try to be a CEC officer in a heartbeat.

 

[HeyJoe]

CEC gets all the toys (earthmoving that is)

090313-N-1120L-018 HELMAND PROVINCE, Afghanistan (March 13, 2009) Master-At-Arms 1st Class Alex Roelofs and Construction Electrician 3rd Class Brandon Taylor, both assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 5, hoist their battalion colors during the Transfer of Authority ceremony at a forward operating base in Afghanistan. This is the first main-body transfer ceremony to be held for Seabee units in Afghanistan and marks the conclusion of the NMCB 7 deployment and the beginning of NMCB 5's operations in U.S. Forces Central Command. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Michael B. Lavender/Released)

090326-N-1424C-604 CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. (March 26, 2009) Cmdr. Andrew Schulman, executive officer of Amphibious Construction Battalion (ACB) 1, briefs 172 Reservists assigned to ACB-1 during a Battalion field training exercise. The battalion exercise increases situational awareness and readiness for expeditionary operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Brian P Caracci/Released)

090320-N-8574M-034 HELMAND PROVINCE, Afghanistan (March 20, 2009) A Seabee assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 5 lifts concertina wire to complete a section of a triple-strand protective barrier. NMCB-5 is deployed to Afghanistan providing contingency construction support to allies and the NATO International Security Assistance Force (ISAF). NMCB-5 is a Naval Expeditionary Combat Command warfighting support element providing host nation construction support and security. U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Patrick W. Mullen III/Released)

090413-N-4131G-053 HELMAND PROVINCE, Afghanistan (April 13, 2009) A Seabee assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 5 directs an up-armored bulldozer onto a trailer to be hauled to a remote forward operating base in Southern Afghanistan. NMCB-5 is one of the Naval Expeditionary Combat Command warfighting support elements providing host nation contingency construction support and security. (U.S. Navy Photo by Utilitiesman 3rd Class Travis Gilbreath/Released)

090411-N-8547M-011 HELMAND PROVINCE, Afghanistan (April 11, 2009) A Seabee assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 5 uses an up-armored front end loader to fill HESCO barriers during a project at Camp Bastion. NMCB-5 is deployed to Afghanistan providing contingency construction support to allies and members of the NATO International Security Assistance Force (ISAF). NMCB-5 is one of the Naval Expeditionary Combat Command warfighting support elements providing host nation contingency construction support and security. (U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Patrick W. Mullen III/Released)

090330-N-8547M-007 HELMAND PROVINCE, Afghanistan (March 31, 2009) Seabees assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 5 convoy security element and Marines provide security at the entry control point of a project. NMCB-5 is deployed to Afghanistan providing contingency construction support to allies and NATO International Security Assistance Force. NMCB-5 is a Naval Expeditionary Combat Command warfighting support element providing host nation contingency construction support and security. (U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Patrick W. Mullen III/Released)

090404-N-1057H-150 ALI SABIEH, Djibouti (April 4, 2009) Equipment Operator Constructionman Apprentice Graeme Hathaway, assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 11 Detachment Horn of Africa, drives a backhoe during a project to repair facilities at the Ali Sabieh Primary School. NMCB-11 is deployed for the first time since being reestablished in 2007 and is working in the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa area of operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Erick S. Holmes/Released)

090330-N-8547M-020 HELMAND PROVINCE, Afghanistan (March 31, 2009) A Seabee assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 5 uses an up-armored front-end loader to fill a HESCO barrier. NMCB-5 is deployed to Afghanistan as a Naval Expeditionary Combat Command warfighting support element providing contingency construction support and security to allies and the NATO International Security Assistance Force. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Patrick W. Mullen III/Released)

090320-N-8547M-015 HELMAND PROVINCE, Afghanistan (March 20, 2009) Engineering Aide Constructionman Larry Winer, assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB)-5, surveys the elevation of dirt being added during a landing strip expansion project. NMCB 5 is deployed to Afghanistan supporting the NATO International Security Assistance Force. NMCB-5 is part of the Naval Expeditionary Combat Command warfighting support elements providing host nation construction support and security. (U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Patrick W. Mullen III/Released)

 

[Thisguy]

Nmcb 40

Can't let the Seabees deployed to the desert hog all the glory

Here are some shots of us doing quality-to-code construction on board Commander Fleet Activities Chinhae (CFAC).

Photos were taken by me, so hence, less than professional.

 

[HeyJoe]

Can't let the Seabees deployed to the desert hog all the glory

Here are some shots of us doing quality-to-code construction on board Commander Fleet Activities Chinhae (CFAC).

Photos were taken by me, so hence, less than professional.

Au contraire! These photos are just as good as the ones the Navy is releasing on their website. If you really want to be recognized as a unit for your good works or a photographer, then you should submit them.

 

[Thisguy]

Thanks HJ. Don't worry, that's what our PAO is for. We (Det OICs and Company Commanders) submit photos and articles to him monthly and he shoots them out to various outlets.

Oh yeah, it's great to be out of China Lake

 

[BurghGuy]

ThisGuy, good stuff. Hope you had a chance to put down the camera and get your hands dirty.
How often do you guys get to play around with big stuff? Due to host nation funding/contracts and a shortage of manpower, we're pretty much limited to small projects (generator sheds and the like).

 

[Thisguy]

How often do you guys get to play around with big stuff? Due to host nation funding/contracts and a shortage of manpower, we're pretty much limited to small projects (generator sheds and the like).

We're in a different boat then you I guess. Our det from NMCB 40 is constructing a 1600 linear foot road and we're putting up a PEB to shelter a switchgear that runs power to the base. We were tasked by the regiment...what kind of billet are you in, PW?

 

[HeyJoe]

ThisGuy, good stuff. Hope you had a chance to put down the camera and get your hands dirty.
How often do you guys get to play around with big stuff?

090509-N-6889J-011 GULFPORT, Miss (May 9, 2009) A Mine Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicle drops a smoke bomb for concealment during a convoy security element display during Seabee Day 2009. Seabee Day is an annual event celebrating the Navy Seabees and allows the community to learn more about the Naval Construction Force. This record-breaking event offered a carnival, entertainment, and various military displays. More than 10,000 people attended Seabee day 2009. (U.S. Navy photo By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Terry Spain/Released)

 

[VetteMuscle427]

Sweet pics. My roommate is over in 'Stan w/ NMCB-5. Always a good group of guys to hang out w/.

 

[Thisguy]

The best part about these MRAPS is that when you're in the field and it's hot as shit, these bad boys have the A/C cranking

 

[BurghGuy]

Yeah, I'm trapped in a PW billet. We're not just "dirt sailors", we're also "corporate sailors" too!