SASEBO, Japan -- U.S. Navy Seabees deployed with Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 5’s Detail Sasebo completed the construction repair of a seawall on board Commander, Fleet Activities Sasebo, Nov. 27.
Sasebo Public Works Department (PWD) requested Seabee repair support for an eroded section of the seawall caused by heavy winds and high tides from Japan’s 2019 typhoon season. NMCB-5’s Seabees worked alongside PWD Sasebo to mitigate further erosion to the adjacent Pre-Engineered building infrastructure; ultimately saving the $1.25M building.
The support is similar to other military construction missions the Seabees provide in support of other Navy, Marine Corps, and operational forces. They have the ability to conduct temporary specialized repairs to waterfront facilities like this one, as well as other quality construction and mutually beneficial projects in support of naval bases and partner nations across the Indo-Pacific area of responsibilities.
Steelworker 2nd Class Douglas Dooley, Project Supervisor with NMCB-5 Detail Sasebo, led the installation of the reinforcing bar at the seawall repair project and was a crew member for the formwork installation and concrete placements.
“This being my first project, I am impressed with the abilities of the other Seabees around me and how they can tackle such large and challenging tasks,” said Dooley. “It is great working with such capable individuals. I am very proud of the impact that our first project has created.”
The team created a non-erodible concrete support barrier for the exposed building foundation, prevented the collapse of the suspended seawall, and also repaired a failed storm drain channel that now allows continuous storm water flow.
Builder 3rd Class Lawrence Spears, Seawall Repair Safety Petty Officer with NMCB-5 Detail Sasebo, worked on each facet of the project and ensured NMCB-5 crew members, service contractors, and site visitors used proper personal protective equipment and adhered to all aspects of the project safety plan to complete the project in a safe, yet timely manner.
“The seawall project was my first as a safety petty officer and it taught me a lot about being project safety,” said Spears. “It was a really good experience and knowledge gained; being safety is important for all projects to help prevent accidents.”
NMCB-5 is deployed across the Indo-Pacific region conducting high-quality construction to support U.S. and partner nations to strengthen partnerships, deter aggression, and enable expeditionary logistics and naval power projection. The battalion stands ready to support Humanitarian Aid/Disaster Relief and Major Combat Operations throughout the region.