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CLB Marines, Seabees Repair NSA Souda Bay

9 Jun 2011 | Sgt. Amber Blanchard 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit

Marines with Combat Logistics Battalion 22, 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, partnered with U.S. Navy Seabees aboard Naval Support Activity Souda Bay to perform much needed maintenance and construction, June 7-10, 2011.

Engineering Marines worked to build freshwater lines and install electrical equipment, among other repairs on base.  The project saved the base more than 300 man-hours, or about two months of work, during the four-day period.

“I love them, they’re hard workers, you give them a task, they complete it,” said Petty Officer 1st Class Chris Harp, the utilities shop supervisor aboard NSA Souda Bay. “I’ve worked with Marines in the past in Iraq, they’ve always been hard workers.  They’re doing a great job.”

Since it’s impossible to dig trenches on ship, the opportunity for Marines to work out on land proved to be a rewarding training opportunity as well as a service to the base.

“I’m happy to get off the ship and cross train with the Seabees,” said Lance Cpl. Bradley Duberceau, a heavy equipment operator with CLB 22. “They taught us a few things, and we show them a few things they don’t normally do.”

After several hours of work, the Marines and Seabees took away a new experience from the project, making them more efficient in their respective jobs.

“It’s great training for the Marines, and it helps my guys too,” said Harp. “Different branches of services working together, they bring in their experiences, we bring in our experiences, and everybody takes away a new experience from this.”

The Marines and sailors of the 22nd MEU are currently deployed with Amphibious Squadron 6 aboard the USS Bataan Amphibious Ready Group serving as a flexible, formidable and potent force who continues to train and improve their capability to operate as a cohesive and effective Marine Air Ground Task Force.

The 22nd MEU is a multi-mission, capable force, commanded by Col. Eric Steidl and comprised of an Aviation Combat Element, Marine Tilt Rotor Squadron 263 (Reinforced); a Logistics Combat Element, Combat Logistics Battalion 22; a Ground Combat Element, Battalion Landing Team, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment; and its Command Element.

Marine Expeditionary Units are the Marine Corps’ smallest permanent Marine Air-Ground Task Force, and is comprised of approximately 2,200 Marines and sailors ready to provide immediate response to a hostile environment or crisis.


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