At the Special Operations Task Force Central (SOTF-C) headquarters in Baghdad, Iraq, Special Operations Forces and their supporting service members are surrounded by the craftsmanship of a singular work force: the Seabees.
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hether it’s under the roof of the large headquarters building, working at a desk, enjoying the air conditioning or walking on a new deck made for living quarters, every service member and civilian supporting SOTF-C has been positively affected by the sweat and effort of a small group of Sailors. Here, it’s an element of the Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 21 that’s improving conditions and providing critical construction services to SOTF-C. Only three months into their deployment, the Seabees of NMCB 21 — only eight Sailors strong at SOTF-C headquarters — have already provided a number of services to the Special Operations Forces in the Baghdad area. “This year alone, they have supported multiple Special Forces Operational Detachments Alpha with anything from health and safety repairs, force protection, secure storage areas and expanding living conditions in support of U.S. Army consolidation,” said an Army captain and SOTF-C’s engineer officer. “They continue to impress us with their capabilities. They can take an idea and make it a reality with limited scope of work and guidance.” The Seabees’ current project is a large Southwest Asia hut to be used for office space and living quarters for special operations canine handlers. The structure is roughly four times the size of a typical one of its design. “A team this size is normally assigned to build a 16’x32,’” said
By U.S. Army Spc. Victor J. Ayala, Special Operations Task Force – Central Public Affairs (Background) UT2 Jorge Batista, NMCB 21, hammers nails into place during the early stages of construction on a large 30’x60’ structure for SOTF-C, Baghdad, Iraq. (Right) BU1(SCW) Richard M. Conklin, NMCB 21, checks measurements on the SOTF-C structure. U.S. Army photos by Spc. Victor J. Ayala
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Seabee M agazine WINTER 2010