PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti- Maj. Gen. Simeon Trombitas, commanding general, Joint Task Force-Haiti, thanks two Navy Seabees for their hard work, dedication and selfless service while supporting Operation Unified Response in Haiti. (U.S. Army photo by Cpl. Jake Marlin/11th PAD)
Trombitas is serving in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, as the commander of Joint Task Force-Haiti. He is also the commander of United States Army South in San Antonio, Texas.
Since World War II, the U.S. military has called upon the Naval Construction Battalions, also known as Seabees, to complete necessary and critical construction projects in every military theater. As self-contained and self-sustaining units, their motto “Construimus, Batuimus,” (We Build, We Fight), is a testament to how the Seabees have repeatedly demonstrated their talents as both skilled builders and tenacious fighters.
During Operation Unified Response, the Seabees joined the humanitarian assistance mission in January almost immediately following the earthquake and proved to be an indispensible part of Joint Task Force-Haiti. In addition to the physical structures they built, these superb naval engineers have also built lasting partnerships and friendships with the grateful Haitian people and earned the respect of the NGOs they assisted.
From repairing pilings on the South Pier at the seaport to planning and constructing two vital resettlement camps, and completing the critical improvements within at-risk camps to ensure the safety of the Haitian people from heavy rains, these professionals, through their motivation and compassion, served as ambassadors for our nation on a daily basis.
As the joint task force concentrated on making improvements to the Internally Displaced Persons camps before the heavy rains, the Seabees expertly took on the mission in a race against the weather to create extensive networks of canals within the camps, saving lives with their efficient work. As the NGOs executed “Cash for Work” programs, the Seabees worked side by side with the Haitian people demonstrating their ability to bond with the Haitian workers in accomplishing the tasks with great speed and efficiency. They taught the workers how to complete the necessary improvements while supervising and working alongside their newfound partners in construction.
Haiti- Maj. Gen. Simeon Trombitas, commanding general, Joint Task Force-Haiti, visits with Navy Seabees at the Golf Delmas 48 Internally Displaced Persons camp in Petionville, Haiti. Navy Seabees completed crucial projects throughout the camp to mitigate the ill effects of weather. (U.S. Army photo by Pvt. Samantha D. Hall/11th PAD)
Coordinating closely with MINUSTAH forces, the Seabees were able to share professional knowledge with military engineers from Japan, Chile, Brazil and Ecuador. Working together with Chileans and Ecuadorians, the Seabees prepared relocation sites in unprecedented time and with the Japanese they worked side by side in the Petionville camp to construct retaining walls, sand bag canals and other systems to protect Haitians from flash floods and mudslides. The Seabees have led by example in their cooperative and collaborative efforts while providing hands-on improvements to meet the needs of the Haitian people.
Walking through any of the sites where the Seabees are working, you can feel the energy, pride and passion for what they do. Their commitment to the people and the mission is phenomenal. Through their own esprit-de-corps, Seabees provide motivation and determination to the people they interact with every day. I am proud to have worked with such a motivated and competent crew of young Sailors as part of the joint task force. The difference they made in Haiti will continue in hearts of the people they have influenced by accomplishing so much in such a short period of time. In keeping with the traditions of the Seabees, these engineers have proven that in both peacetime and war they live up to their motto, “Construimus, Batuimus.”
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