Seabee Awarded Purple Heart in Iraq
Story Number: NNS070813-11
Release Date: 8/13/2007 5:18:00 PM
By Builder 1st Class James Gammon, Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 28 Public Affairs
AL ANBAR PROVINCE, Iraq (NNS) -- Construction Electrician 2nd Class Jason Harrison, of Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 28, was awarded the Purple Heart Medal by Rear Adm. Richard E. Cellon, Commander, 1st Naval Construction Division (1 NCD) Aug. 4, during a ceremony at Al Asad Air Base, Iraq.
Cellon, who assumed command of 1 NCD June 29, visited NMCB 28 as part of a Middle East tour to visit forward deployed Seabees. He commented that it was, “a huge privilege to participate in this ceremony.â€
Harrison is a mobilized reservist Seabee serving in the Al Anbar Province of Iraq as part of the Naval Construction Force supporting the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Force. He suffered a Level III concussion March 11, while serving as a gunner in the lead vehicle of an NMCB 28 Convoy Security Element (CSE) team.
Harrison’s vehicle was attacked by an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) that was set 10 meters from the road. Harrison was knocked unconscious by the explosion. He spent two days on limited duty and since then has completed more than 150 missions while still serving as the lead vehicle gunner.
When asked about the role of a CSE team, the Commanding Officer of NMCB 28, Cmdr. Craig Scharton, explained that their mission is critical.
“CSE teams perform a vital function, and one not normally associated with the Seabee construction mission,†said Scharton. “They are responsible for helping to maintain the free flow of personnel, supplies, and construction materials around the area of operations in theater.â€
The CSE Convoy Commander, Chief Construction Mechanic Stephen Lucia, has been greatly impressed by Harrison’s professionalism.
“His devotion to duty and the CSE team is not surpassed by anyone,†said Lucia. “He was selected to be truck one gunner because of his unrelenting, locked on attitude and commitment to carrying out every mission to the best of his abilities. I really appreciate all of his hard work. It has been a pleasure having him on my team.â€
Harrison’s work in the convoy has potentially saved lives.
"Harrison is considered the CSE's first line of defense against IEDs,†said Lt. Gerald Sachitano, Harrison’s company commander. “His keen eyesight and knowledge of the roads of Al Anbar Province have led to the finding of five IEDs to date. He is an outstanding example of a service member that proudly serves his nation and willingly accepts the danger before him to fight the [global] war on terrorism."
In December 1999, Harrison enlisted in the U.S. Army as an 11B Infantryman and later transferred to 31C Radio Operator. In 2003, he was deployed to Afghanistan with the 10th Mountain Division and the 3rd Special Forces Group in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. He was honorably discharged from the Army in October 2006.
Later that month, he enlisted in the Navy Reserve through the CB-VET Construction Electrician program and affiliated with NMCB 28 in Baton Rouge, La. In his civilian career, Harrison works as an offshore surveyor.
NMCB 28 is part of more than 1,100 Sailors and Marines supporting critical construction efforts in the Al Anbar province of Iraq.
NMCB 28’s MSR Repair Team Keeps Convoys Rolling in Iraq
Story Number: NNS070809-21
Release Date: 8/9/2007 6:23:00 PM
By Lt. Michael Wilkinson, Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 28 Public Affairs
AL ANBAR PROVINCE, Iraq (NNS) -- The Seabees of Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 28 have been patching holes in the Main Supply Routes (MSR) and Alternate Supply Routes (ASR) so convoys can safely and quickly deliver critical materials and supplies to forces located along the frontlines since March.
Road systems in the far reaches of Iraq are in poor condition. With coalition forces hauling numerous heavy loads, the roadways can have considerable deterioration which can potentially give insurgents more hiding places for Improvised Explosive Devices (IED’s).
Most IED’s are discovered by route clearance teams and some are discovered by the convoys who call the Explosive Ordnance Disposal units to come and conduct controlled detonations to eliminate the threat.
NMCB 28 is responsible for conducting repairs on more than 80 kilometers of MSR. Marine support from Combat Logistic Battalion 2 and 1st Combat Engineer Battalion enable the Seabee team to go out and patch holes that are impeding convoy progress.
To make repairs, water is added to patch material, mixed and then poured into the prepped crater or pothole. The quick-setting mixture enables the road to be opened to traffic within minutes after the last bucket is poured.
“Every member of the team knows the dangers involved, but they willingly go out time after time to keep coalition [forces] convoys and the Iraqi people safe and moving,†said Equipment Operator 1st Class Jeffrey Binder, MSR repair team leader. “I couldn’t ask for a better group.â€
The youngest team member, Equipment Operator Constructionman Jorge Perez, is glad to be a part of the process.
“This assignment has really made the deployment worthwhile,†said Perez. “It’s good to get through with a mission and know you’ve made a difference. I like this job.â€
Knowledge may be the biggest asset these reservists bring to the fight. Equipment Operator 2nd Class David Grey has many years of experience working with concrete in the United States and his knowledge is invaluable to every mission.
Construction Mechanic 1st Class Theodore Williams tracks the team’s progress. He collects their work information for reporting to higher headquarters.
“My job is a small part of the MSR’s mission; however, if I drop the ball, their mission can get a whole lot harder,†said Williams who is responsible for maintaining an adequate supply of material to conduct operations.
The Route Repair mission has high priority and is being tracked by the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Force Engineering Department. Occasionally, the team will have a special passenger. Master Gunnery. Sgt. Keith Parshall is one of the driving forces behind the engineers’ efforts to keep these routes open.
“The effort is really two-fold,†said Parshall. “First, to keep the routes open and second to eliminate locations for placing IED’s and reduce that threat to our troops.â€
Despite the daunting challenge of attempting to repair the numerous kilometers of MSR and innumerable kilometers of ASR, the team is determined to go out time and time again to do the behind-the-scenes work to complete the mission.
“The success of this important engineer tasking is truly a result of coordinated security planning with supporting units allowing the Seabees of NMCB 28 to focus on the construction and repair of the roadways,†said NMCB 28’s operation officer Lt. Cmdr. Daryll Long. “The team has repaired more than 100 holes in the western Al Anbar province of Iraq since its implementation one month ago.â€
In addition to the route repair team based out of Al Asad, NMCB 28 has an identical team based out of Camp Fallujah that works on roadways in and around their area of responsibility.
NMCB 28 is part of more than 1,100 Sailors and Marines supporting critical construction efforts in the Al Anbar province of Iraq.