DFT Latvia Breaks New Ground

VENTSPILS, Latvia (NNS) -- A Deployment for Training of 24 Seabees, from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 7, has begun construction projects in preparation for Baltic Operations (BALTOPS) 2010.

Seabees from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 7 are in Latvia working on construction projects in support of Baltic Operations (BALTOPS) 2010.

The Seabees are involved in the deployment for training (DFT), which will include a variety of construction projects and possible humanitarian outreach missions.

"Our mission is to provide Exercise Related Construction (ERC) in support of BALTOPS 2010," said Ens. Li-wei Chen, DFT Latvia officer-in-charge (OIC). "We will establish a five-acre base camp for a Marine Landing Group and place a reinforced concrete pad for a Maritime pre-positioned ship offload of Marine support equipment. If time permits, we will engage in U.S. Embassy-coordinated humanitarian missions."

Upon arriving, the 24 Seabees were welcomed by Latvian Ministry of Defense (MoD) and U.S. Embassy representatives. But 24-hours later, the DFT Seabees received custody of heavy construction equipment, which they quickly learned were called "techniks" in Latvian slang.

"The initial transit from the equipment yard to the project site was rather interesting," said Construction Electrician 3rd Class Joshua Lenhart. "I don't think we needed our police escort, the way traffic halted as we convoyed through the town of Ventspils, which has a population of approximately 40,000."

According to Chen, DFT Latvia's emphasis is on construction trades needed for expeditionary camp setup and humanitarian relief, and the construction tempo has been extremely high, since all construction projects must be completed by June prior to BALTOPS 2010.

As true force enablers in support of the Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF), the Seabees have faced unforeseen challenges early in their mission, Chen said. Melting snow, which oversaturated the ground around the base camp, has been the primary challenge, making heavy equipment operations a very difficult and time-consuming evolution.

While the five-acre gravel laydown pad located at base camp and a dune cut enabling Marine tanks to offload with minimal damage to surrounding forests, represent the bulk of DFT Latvia Seabees taskings, the Seabees also plan to improve their current camp conditions, which should benefit the Latvian National Guard, who will take control of the camp upon completion of BALTOPS 2010.

The Latvian MoD assigned two military representatives as liaisons to assist the Seabees in overcoming language barriers during their operations, something Chen said has proven instrumental.

"Their combined support has been a tremendous aid in assisting us with material contractors and general communications," she said.

While DFT Latvia marks the first deployment for some participating Seabees, other seasoned construction force personnel hope the workload, experience of being in another country and interaction with their Latvian counterparts are something junior Seabees can appreciate.

"Having been on multiple detachments and DFTs, I think that this will be some of the best experiences the younger Seabees will have," said Chief Equipment Operator Jerry Greer, senior enlisted advisor (SEA) and assistant officer in charge. "I'm looking forward to a safe deployment and hope the troops take back great memories of our partnership with the Latvians."

Originally started in 1971, BALTOPS is an exercise sponsored by Commander, United States European Command, aiming to promote a mutual understanding of maritime interoperability between U.S. Navy, NATO, and non-NATO participants.