Gulfport Seabees relieved of Yutu duty

OKINAWA, Japan – Sixty Seabees assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 3 deployed to Tinian to assume charge of ongoing Tinian Defense Support of Civil Authorities (DSCA) relief efforts on the island from the Gulfport, Miss.-based NMCB-1 during a transfer of authority ceremony on Jan. 9. Tinian and Saipan are part of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) and were devastated by Super Typhoon Yutu, the second-strongest storm system to hit a U.S. territory in recorded history, according to the NOAA. Many homes and structures were destroyed or badly damaged; and many were left without power and running water. In response, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM) stood up Task Force-West, divided into Task Group Saipan and Task Group Tinian, to conduct DSCA relief efforts in support of the Federal Emergency Management Agency. NMCB-1, along with other INDOPACOM units, conducted route clearance of 64 miles of road, built more than 150 FEMA-provided tents for families whose homes became unlivable, and produced more than 54,000 gallons of potable water during the relief efforts. Following the debris cleanup, the unit focused on roof repairs in which they assessed over 300 households and executed 122 repairs. (Source: Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 3 01/09/19)