Barksdale Seabees get 'buzzy'

BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La., Dec. 1, 2011 — Every day, several Team Barksdale members drive by a huge metallic bee wielding a machine gun and various tools on their way to and from work. However, seldom know the mission and capabilities of the unit the bee represents.

The armed insect belongs to the 28th Naval Mobile Construction Battalion, also known as the Seabees. The mission of the 28 NMCB is to provide construction and disaster recovery support for joint military forces, and provide humanitarian aid or disaster relief as needed.

"Fortunately over the last few years we haven't had any major disasters that required our assistance," said Navy Lt. Reginald Cozart, 28 NMCB readiness support site officer in charge. "However, in 2010 we had 85 Seabees deploy to South America for the Continuing Promise Mission which provided construction support to schools, hospitals and other civilian facilities. We also recently assisted a local zoo in clearing out space for their wild life to roam and enjoy."

Seabees, when called upon, are able to build bridges, roads, airfields, buildings, structures, water wells and quarries. They are also trained in managing water, sewage and electrical systems but that is not all of their capabilities.

Along with building structures, Seabees are capable of providing their own protection.

"We are like a security force," said Cozart. "We protect our assets in the event of an attack. "Our motto is 'we build, we fight.'"

According to Cozart, the unit's active duty members assist the reservists with weapons maintenance, small arms training, equipment repairs and general military training, to help them prepare and stay sharp for deployments.

To help with this training, the 28 NMCB will be working with Barksdale's Red Horse Squadron in January.

"Our construction missions mirror each other," said Cozart. "Our plan is to give them 10 personnel to assist them with their projects."

The 28 NMCB is made up of eight different detachments and currently provides disaster relief and aid to Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri and Tennessee. In 1978, the reserve headquarters for the 28 NMCB came to Barksdale.

"We have an outstanding 13-man crew here that works hard every day," said Senior Chief Petty Officer Keith Legier, 28 NMCB assistant officer in charge. "It is good to know that we have the support from the Barksdale community."