Seabees from NMCB 3 Transfers Authority to NMCB 4 in Afghanistan

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Russ Stewart, Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 4 Public Affairs

CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan (NNS) -- Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) THREE and NMCB FOUR turned over construction operations as one of two Seabee battalions in Afghanistan in a ceremony aboard Camp Krutke, a part of Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan, June 17.

Capt. Allan Stratman, commodore, task force overlord, said NMCB THREE's success pushing tactical infrastructure to the village level has had a dramatic impact on the coalition mission in Afghanistan.

NMCB THREE and FOUR are components of Task Force Overlord, which commands and oversees a joint service task force responsible for planning, engineering, and construction operations in southern, southwestern and western Afghanistan.

NMCB THREE's Commanding Officer, Cmdr. Patrick Garin, said his battalion made a difference in the living and working conditions for coalition forces at Camp Leatherneck.

"When we arrived here last year, Leatherneck construction was not finished," he said. "There were Seabee projects in almost every corner."

Beyond construction at Camp Leatherneck, NMCB THREE deployed over 200 Seabees to every Regional Command in Afghanistan including support of Special Operations Commands in over 40 locations.

"The motivation of all our Seabees over the last seven months has been truly inspiring," said Garin.

NMCB FOUR's Commanding Officer, Cmdr. La Tanya Simms, said her battalion is ready to push forward, continuing the progress NMCB THREE made.

"We trained hard in homeport, and we're ready to do what we do best; be safe, work hard, and have fun!" she said.

NMCB FOUR, commissioned May 11, 1942, is homeported in Port Hueneme, Calif. and is made up of 630 Seabees. The battalion has a distinguished history of supporting the American war fighter and providing humanitarian assistance and disaster relief around the world. While deployed to Afghanistan, NMCB FOUR will construct combat outposts, patrol bases, roads, bridges and various other support facilities to expand freedom of movement and counterinsurgency operations for International Security Assistance Forces.

NMCB FOUR is a component of Navy Expeditionary Combat Command that provides contingency engineering and construction across Afghanistan in support of the overall mission of International Security Assistance Force and regional commander requirements.