U.S. Naval Construction Force - the Seabees

Right behind the United States Marines as they storm a beach or helicopter into enemy territory come the men and women of the U.S. Naval Construction Force. These are the legendary Seabees and they have proven their motto "Can Do" on battlefields from North Africa, Alaska and Guadalcanal in World War Two to Iraq and Afghanistan in the War on Terror.

The Seabees build what is needed by the combat units they support. Roads, bridges, air fields and sea ports appear from bare ground under the tools wielded by the Naval Construction Force.

U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Mark A. Handley commands the First Naval Construction Division. His unit consists of over 16,000 sailors who are deployed, aboard ships or bases or in the Reserves. Handley talked about his force with me and other bloggers today.

There are about 1,200 Seabees in Afghanistan at this time. As the surge of troops gets underway, Admiral Handley stated that the number of Seabees in that nation would also surge, to about 3,800. There are two battalions in country, one has just arrived and the fourth will deploy in March.

The Seabees have been very active in Afghanistan since they were first deployed in 2001. Camp Leatherneck in Helmand Province has been the headquarters for the Marines in that country and it is being built by Seabees. They have built 3 unit operations centers, each 12,000 square feet. Handley pointed out that they also build floors for tents, making life easier for those in the field.

Duty in Afghanistan is a logistical challenge. Handley told us that by looking far forward at their potential needs, they have been able to keep supplied with the materials that they use in their work. They have sufficient air lift capacity for personnel and equipment, and are able to bring some in via sea and convoys into the country. At this time, Adm. Handley said that the toughest items to resupply are electronic components and well drilling kits.

As a curiosity, he told us that some of their largest equipment had to be flown in because it was too big for the mountain passes.

Adm. Handley was asked about the pressures on his sailors. He acknowledged the issue, especially for the Reservists who need to have a job to come back to from a deployment. He praised and thanked his sailors for volunteering for longer deployments and for shorter times at their home bases.

Along with the Seabees deployed to war zones in Iraq and Afghanistan, the Admiral reminded his listeners that his people were deployed world-wide, from Haiti to Liberia. Humanitarian assistance missions make up a large part of the routine duties for the U.S. Naval Construction Force as the 200 Seabees deployed to Haiti are demonstrating. Seabees also build schools and drill wells.