From the coalition side, we also add to the list with our own air to ground munitions, mortars, and grenades. Whether they are caused by IEDs, suicide-bombers, car-bombs, mortars, or Chinese rockets fired by the enemy, something is blowing up in Afghanistan right this minute. There is one constant in Afghanistan: Explosions. The SEABEEs will give it to you, and then some. It was an Army Colonel who once told me that STEAL was not a word but an acronym that meant, “SEABEEs Transferring Equipment to an Alternate Location.” Be careful what you ask for gentlemen. Then, over time, you will realize that other things in your AO are missing, cannibalized, or mysteriously no longer working. It will be strong, it will exceed standards, and it will be more than you required. NEVER, I say again, never ask the SEABEEs to build something without providing them the full resources to build it. SEABEEs in Afghanistan: They build and they fight (Photo: XY)Ī word to any young Commanders out there who have yet to have the pleasure of a SEABEE detachment in their AO. SEABEEs helped kick in doors in Fallujah, operated convoy security teams throughout Iraq, fought alongside their Marine brothers in Afghanistan, and still found time to do what they do best, which is build things. “Can Do!” is their motto and they have been fulfilling that in hotspots around the world since the days of island hopping in the Pacific theater during WWII. There is a reason the SEABEEs have the reputation they hold, and that is because it is all true. Since we weren’t ship-board sailors, we affectionately referred to ourselves as, “The Dirt Navy.” SEABEE is a member of one of the construction battalions of the Civil Engineer Corps of the US Navy. I will admit that as a former SEABEE myself, ( Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 26 – NMCB26) my opinion is less than impartial. The Fighting SEABEEs are alive and well and are helping win the war on terror in ways only they can. Hell, John Wayne starred in a movie about them. The Dirt NavyĮveryone who has been, “In Theater”, and by that I mean ANY theater since WWII, has encountered a group of people, either directly, or by virtue of their work, whose reputation and exploits are legendary. As impressive and note-worthy as “The Teams” may be, there are two other groups who warrant recognition but rarely get it. That is what people think of when they imagine the Navy at war out of their big blue ocean. Navy SEALs and their exploits throughout both Afghanistan and Iraq. Anyone who has been in the military watched television, or read a newspaper is aware of the U.S.
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