U.S. Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Gregg Whitehead, a Seabee assigned steel worker duties with Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 24, and his wife Jessica share a hug as he returns home from a deployment to Iraq, at Naval Air Station Oceana, Va., Oct. 8, 2005. The battalion, based in Huntsville, Ala., returned to the states from their Iraq deployment via Naval Air Station Oceana due to complications from Hurricanes Rita and Katrina. (U.S. Navy photo by Seaman Davis J. Anderson)
October 16, 2005
NAVAL AIR STATION, OCEANA, Va. -- While deployed, the battalion built forward operating bases in three locations.
U.S. Navy Seabees from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 24 based in Huntsville, Ala., returned to the United States via Naval Air Station Oceana Oct. 8 following a seven-month deployment to Iraq in support of the Global War on Terror.
The plane carrying the battalion touched down amidst a storm in the late afternoon, but the Seabees on board didn't seem to mind, nor did family members waiting in the rain on the side of the runway since early morning.
"I feel wonderful. I'm glad to see my wife and kids, and family."
U.S. Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Chris Benefield
"This is more (people) than we expected," said Lisa Stamps, the battalion command ombudsman. "There is a large number of family and friends."
The Seabees returned from Iraq, but for most, Oceana is just a stop on their way home. After demobilizing in Norfolk, the battalion's nearly 400 personnel will return to their respective homes and civilian jobs in 26 states.
"I'll feel pretty good," said U.S. Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Jeff McDanal, a construction mechanic, about when he would finally reach home. "My mom, dad, brother and sister will be there. They couldn't make it here."
"I feel wonderful," said U.S. Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Chris Benefield, a builder. "I'm glad to see my wife and kids, and family."
The battalion deployed from Huntsville after mobilizing in January and deploying in March to Iraq, where they successfully supported U.S. Marine and Army efforts in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
While in theater, the battalion built forward operating bases in three locations. According to the battalion, with those completed, the newly formed Iraqi Security Forces can move in after they complete training with U.S. Army and Marine Corps personnel and begin taking over responsibility for fighting insurgents. This is considered a big step in the process of bringing U.S. troops home.
"We did it in record time," said U.S. Navy Cmdr. Tim Simpson, battalion commanding officer, about building the bases.
"We built 8.6 million dollars in construction, the most in theater," he added.
Other missions included rebuilding a large section of a major runway in support of the 2nd Marine Air Wing; installing a helicopter landing pad and military dining facility at Camp BlueDiamond near Ramadi, Iraq, in eastern Al Anbar able to withstand mortar fire; and specially training personnel who man heavily armed and armored Humvees that provide security to convoys carrying building materials, supplies and equipment.
They also escorted convoys through more than 20,000 miles on Iraq's roads without a single loss of life.
By U.S. Navy Seaman Davis J. Anderson - U.S. Navy Fleet Public Affairs Center