Navy Seabees Pave Way for US, Allied Forces

HELMAND PROVINCE, Afghanistan (NNS) -- Seabees deployed to Afghanistan are undertaking projects to repair and improve large stretches of roads in Helmand Province which will greatly increase the maneuverability of U.S. and allied forces in the region.

Seabees of Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 11's Detachment Dwyer have widened, leveled, and laid gravel to existing roads to facilitate the movement of supplies and personnel in southern Helmand Province.

Two miles of road have been cleared and graveled since the project was turned over from NMCB-4 earlier this month according to crew leader Equipment Operator 2nd Class Mardi Ros of Tomball, Texas.

Crews have been forced to deal with torrential rain causing them to spend days clearing sections of road they had already flattened.

"We are working on keeping lines of communications open for displaced personnel," said Det. Officer in Charge, Lt. Seth D. Cochran of La Plata, Md. "Our goal is to improve freedom of movement for our supported command, so that movement of supplies takes place without any damage to equipment, as was the case previously."

This project is one of many NMCB-11 is involved in throughout the country.

Homeported in Gulfport, Miss., NMCB-11 is deployed to Afghanistan to conduct general, mobility, survivability engineering operations, defensive operations, Afghan National Army partnering and detachment of units in combined/joint operations area - Afghanistan in order to enable the neutralization of the insurgency and support improved governance and stability operations.


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