140607-N-NW827-017 WEST KUPANG, Indonesia (June 7, 2014) Steelworker 3rd Class Collin Welter, assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 1 and a native of Pepin, Wis., helps an Indonesian Marine install a window at the Tuadale School in West Kupang during Pacific Partnership 2014. Pacific Partnership is in its ninth iteration and is the largest annual multilateral humanitarian assistance and disaster relief preparedness mission conducted in the Asia-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Stephen Oleksiak/Released)
TACLOBAN, Philippines (NNS) -- Seabees from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 1, deployed as part of Pacific Partnership (PP) 2014, along with members of The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), held a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the San Fernando School, July 31.
Tacloban government officials, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, and representatives from the Philippines Department of Education also attended the ceremony. The scope of the project included construction of a concrete masonry unit block, two-classroom school building. The building included a prefabricated metal truss roof and sheet metal roofing, interior lighting, fans and electrical outlets.
"Tacloban has been through a lot, and it is very heart-warming and satisfying for us to finish here in an area that needs help so badly," said Lt. Cmdr. Michael Guzzi, 30th Naval Construction Regiment operations officer. "After being here for a while I see the strength of this community and its resiliency. I know they will be back at full strength soon and have been amazed at the community's ability to continue business as usual even after the destruction that came from the super typhoon. The 'I love Tacloban' slogan now stands for strength to me, and I will never forget it."
During the ceremony, leaders reflected on the efforts put forth by all who participated in the mission and expressed thanks for their hard work. For two NMCB 1 engineers, not only will they remember the project, but will retain life-long memories from their experience.
"Pacific Partnership made me realize how good I have it back in the U.S.," said Utilitiesman 2nd Class Matthew Murfin, NMCB1 project supervisor for San Fernando Science Building. "I understand now what these countries have to deal with on a day to day basis and I was more than honored to help these folks. Reality really set in when we learned how many people perished in the old schoolhouse when the typhoon hit. I will look at this one day and tell my grandchildren how I helped build a schoolhouse for Tacloban City."
"During PP14, I felt honored and privileged to have the opportunity to help the community rebuild," said Steelworker 3rd Class Collin Welter, NMCB1 project crew leader for San Fernando Science Building. "During the mission, the thing that kept me going and kept me motivated was the thought of the children having a safe place to learn. I really began to understand what this [PP14] was all about when the plane touched down and I saw the difficulty that the people have to go through every day. It really makes you thankful for everything you have."
The PP14 engineering mission in the Philippines consisted of four engineering engagements, most of which were in the heart of Tacloban. The mission was staffed with three branches of service from the AFP and two construction battalions from the U.S. Naval Construction Force.
In addition to construction, the U.S. also participated in an engineering subject matter expert exchange with local civilians, military engineers and academic scholars on damage assessment, wind and seismic design, coastal protection and flood mitigation plans.
Pacific Partnership is in its ninth iteration and is the largest annual multilateral humanitarian assistance and disaster relief preparedness mission conducted in the Asia-Pacific region.
http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=82616
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