US Navy Seabees help build schools in Thailand

Thirty-seven Seabees from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 11 are participating in the largest joint military exercise in United States Pacific Command, Cobra Gold 2011, which takes place in Thailand every year.

This year, NMCB 11 is building two school buildings in the Mae Sot region, near the border with Burma.

Seabees will be working with the Royal Thai Military Mobile Development Unit.

LTJG Kevin Burnett/U.S. NAVY Petty Officer 3rd Class Zachary Crouse and Petty Officer 3rd Class Jason Ray set a column for construction of a new school building during Cobra Gold 2011. For its part in Cobra Gold 2011, the largest joint exercise in the United States Pacific Command, NMCB 11 is building two school buildings in Mae Sot, Thailand. NMCB 11 provides contingency construction, disaster relief, and humanitarian assistance in support of Combatant and Component Commanders worldwide.

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These buildings will enhance the learning environment for the more than 800 students who attend the Ruam Thai Charoen Kindergarten and Pa Ka Mai School.

Tha project is an opportunity for Seabees to build, as well a chance to interact with the MDU and the community. However, delivery of materials and life-support items was a challenge because of the remote location of these schools.

Local truck drivers have had an extremely difficult time with the steep mountain grades and small back roads of the Mae Sot region.

Many Seabees will get a chance to do new types of construction, such as block work, stucco and pre-cast concrete columns, all while using the local material available in Thailand.

The project has a 30-day duration, making timely completion a challenge. But the MDU and Seabees say they are up to the task.

Read more: http://www.sunherald.com/2011/01/28/2816371/seabees-help-build-schools-in.html#ixzz1CYTHDrpw