US 7th Fleet Seabees Assist Timor-Leste Ministry of Education

From U.S. 7th Fleet Public Affairs

YOKOSUKA, Japan (NNS) -- Seabees from U.S. 7th Fleet's Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 4 worked closely with the U.S. Embassy, the Timor-Leste Ministry of Education, the Fantil-Foras de Defesa de Timor-Leste (F-FDTL), and more than 150 teachers and students to build a new school in Tibar, Timor-Leste, Feb 3.

With support from the Timor-Leste Ministry of Education, NMCB 4 Sailors from 7th Fleet's Task Force (CTF) 75 helped provide the community with new educational facilities.

"This project really strengthened our local relationships and the partnership of U.S. and F-FDTL." said Lt. Caroline Mastrangelo, project leader. "It will provide the Tibar community with much needed classrooms and bring the entire community together."

Construction lasted from late August 2014 to January 2015 and resulted in a schoolhouse that is 56 feet by 31 feet with a concrete foundation, strong block walls and a metal roof. Timor-Leste engineers assisted during portions of the project by providing concrete, masonry and electrical construction.

The project continued the legacy of Seabee projects in Timor-Leste. Since 2009, Seabees have completed more than 80 projects in Timor-Leste.

CTF 75 represents the Naval Expeditionary Forces within U.S. 7th Fleet and is comprised of explosive ordnance disposal, coastal riverine, embarked security, and construction forces. These forces execute a wide range of missions in the littorals and on land, partnering with multiple nations throughout the U.S. 7th Fleet.