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Seabee Reservists De-Mobilize in Hawaii
Story Number: NNS030718-16
Release Date: 7/19/2003 6:09:00 AM
By Equipment Operator 1st Class (SCW/AW) Kevin Cullen, 1st NCR Public Affairs
PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii (NNS) -- In the wake of America’s successful war campaign, it’s time for most of the Reservists, who were mobilized, to return home. Navy Seabees from the 1st Naval Construction Regiment (NCR) who have been serving at Pearl Harbor since last year have begun their de-mobilization process, as their forward-deployed counterparts from the 30th Naval Construction Regiment (30th NCR) return from the desert.
The 1st NCR’s transition from Reserve component to the active duty status in support of Operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom was nothing short of historic.
Not a single Reserve regiment had been stood up since Operation Desert Storm and the Vietnam War. 1st NCR’s readiness and training permitted their Seabee counterparts from the 30th NCR to deploy forward from Pearl Harbor into Southwest Asia, where other missions awaited them. The combined result of this war plan worked like a high-performance racing machine. When they got the green light, the military “burned rubber” across the desert and never stopped.
Seabee engineers from the two regiments, in addition to 26 other Seabee units, were integrated into the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF) Marine Engineer Group (MEG) headquartered in Kuwait. Combat constructors from the Army, Navy and Marine Corps combined brainpower with bravado to execute their mission in support of the 1st MEF.
Their primary task was to support advancing troops over the Iraqi terrain by making sure they had roads and bridges wherever needed. Seabee road builders and bridge constructors permitted troops, weapons and supplies to effect a quick and decisive campaign into Baghdad, resulting in victory throughout Iraq. What remains today are numerous reconstruction projects across the (still hostile) region, as the Bees rebuild much of what was destroyed.
Transitioning from a ‘weekend warrior’ to full time Navy can be laced with challenges. The Reservists must manage two lives: a working civilian and a military part-timer. When they get the call, careers and college educations are sometimes put on hold. Financial hardships are not uncommon among mobilized Reservists. For the majority, however, having the chance to serve on active duty is a dream come true. It’s what they sign on for.
“There’s no doubt in my mind that I have no reservations about being here,” said Yeoman 2nd Class Bang Dinh, a 1st NCR Reservist who serves in the administration department. “I had some uncertainties about being mobilized and serving full time. I’d never been on active-duty so everything was new to me. But I was up for the challenge, and I’ve got a lot to be proud of,” he said.
1st NCR’s list of accomplishments while on active-duty is extensive. While stationed at Pearl Harbor, 950 mobilized Reservists from the 1st NCR were processed through Dinh’s department, where they solved 253 pay issues and processed 643 travel claims. The operations department managed more than 300 current projects in the Pacific area of operation and screened more than 600 projects for deployed battalions valued at more than $100 million. 1st NCR’s supply department worked at a furious pace during the initial stages of the war, while managing a $10 million fiscal budget for the regiment and its subordinate units. Their training department executed a two-level increase in their status of readiness and training systems (SORTS) that resulted in the highest level of readiness for any Seabee regiment in the Navy, active or Reserve.
A small turnover ceremony, which included lowering 1st NCR’s command flag and raising the 30th NCR’s once again, marked the official ‘beginning of the end’ for the 1st NCR Seabees on Oahu. Capt. Robert C. Jackson, 1st NCR’s commanding officer, addressed his regiment and Seabees from the 30th NCR before relinquishing his post to Capt. William Rudich, commanding officer of the 30th.
“Although most of us were not deployed in harm's way,” said Jackson, “I know we all would have gladly gone forward if asked. The contributions we made allowed those who were deployed forward to do their jobs better. You can all say that your contributions made a difference in the outcome of the war.”
For related news, visit the Commander, Navy Region Hawaii Navy NewsStand page at www.news.navy.mil/local/cnrh.
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