Service members and contractors visited various engineering project sites around the island onboard U.S. Navy Support Facility Diego Garcia from Feb. 18-21.

The visits were for National Engineer week, started by the National Society of Professional Engineers in 1951, which celebrates the way engineers contribute to society and emphasizes the importance of math, science, and technical skills.

It allows everyone to get out of the office and see facilities they don’t see every day, said Lt. Cmdr Kevin Kaczmarski, the Facilities Engineering and Acquisition division director for the Public Works Department on Diego Garcia.

The only people stationed on Diego Garcia are civilians, contractors, and military personnel. Engineer Week is for them to see what is going on around the Island. It is, however, a family-oriented event state side.

While at the sites, the construction managers showcased the current status of the projects and spoke of future plans for each of the areas like the North Power Plant, main water plant, and the elevated water tank.

“They get to see the fruit of their labor,” said Kaczmarski. “For them to actually get out and see what materializes from their work. It’s very fruitful for them.”

The Civil Engineer Core officers along with the 40 contracted engineers on the island keep the island in shape and mission ready.

The engineer’s that work on Diego Garcia have fun with it, said Lt. j.g. Jessica Collins, the production officer for Naval Facilities Engineering Command Far East PWD Diego Garcia. They put a lot of their time and effort into making sure the projects are a success. Engineer week raises awareness on the island and gives an opportunity to see what construction is being done on the installation.

More than 200 NAVFAC Far East engineers support Navy activities in Japan, the Republic of Korea, Singapore, and Diego Garcia in the British Indian Ocean Territory.

“Engineering week, for me personally, is being able to see what an impact we have on the mission, especially here on our home on Diego Garcia,” said Kaczmarski.

He also said they’re able to see how it impacts the mission as far as keeping the lights on and keeping the airplanes flying and the ships underway. He said it helps them understand their role in the mission.

U.S. Navy Support Facility Diego Garcia provides logistics, service, recreational, and administrative support to U.S. and Allied Forces forward deployed to the Indian Ocean and Persian Gulf areas of responsibility in support of national policy objectives.

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