Seabees Deployed to Afghanistan Selected Best in Naval Construction Force

Southern Afghanistan (NNS) -- The Seabees of Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 5 were named the winner of the Peltier Award for fiscal year 08 May 18.

Rear Adm. Richard E. Cellon announced NMCB 5 selection during an all hands call on a project site in southern Afghanistan .

The Peltier Award, named after Rear Admiral Eugene J. Peltier, has been awarded to the best active duty battalion in the Naval Construction Force (NCF) every year since 1960.

"It is my honor to present NMCB 5 with this award", said Cellon. "Not only are you the best in the Pacific, but as the recipient of the Peltier Award, you are now the best in the NCF."

Commanding Officer of NMCB 5, Cmdr. Scott Hurst, who received the award on behalf of the battalion, gave his Seabees full credit for their hard work in earning this award.

"The Peltier award is a reflection of NMCB 5's ability to work as a team," said Hurst. "Over the past two years I have been nothing but proud of the Seabees in NMCB 5, and I could not be more satisfied seeing them recognized for all their hard work and dedication. 'The Professionals' truly have earned their name and the Peltier reflects what can happen when a very diverse group of individuals grow and learn to work together."

Seabees from NMCB 5 put a lot of hard work into their 2008 Pacific deployment and homeport training cycle.

"We work and train really hard in order to get the job done correct the first time," said Builder Constructionman Andrew Snyder. "It is nice to see that all of our preparation and hard work doesn't go unnoticed."

NMCB 5 is currently deployed to Afghanistan providing contingency construction operations to NATO International Security Assistance Force.

For more news from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 5, visit www.navy.mil/local/nmcb5.