‘Runnin Roos’ finish Colombia project

RIOHACHA, Colombia - The "Runnin' Roos" of Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 133 – based out of Gulfport, Miss. - completed water-well drilling exploration operations Oct. 3 in the rural community of Riohacha, Colombia, as part of Southern Partnership Station (SPS) 2018. The operation resulted in a supply of readily available water in the region and was celebrated with an official handover ceremony at the well site. NMCB-133 completed the project in coordination with members of the Wayuu population, who are indigenous to Riohacha, in an effort to bring a greater supply of water to the community. The project took about a month to complete, and was the result of months of planning, coordination and logistics movements. “It was awesome to participate in this project,” said Utilitiesman 2nd Class Patrick Cannon. It was Cannon’s “first time” to assist a community in need. “… I don’t think a lot of people realize that how much of an impact it has. Water gives everyone life, and life can’t go on without water”, he added. SPS is a demonstration of America’s commitment to partner-nations in the Caribbean, and Central and South America in order to foster goodwill and enhancing the ability to respond to natural disasters and humanitarian crises. SPS 18 will conclude this month. (Source: Southern Partner Station 10/09/18) The "Runnin' Roos" have a long tradition of contributions to America every day in places such as Afghanistan, Iraq, Kuwait, and Africa.