Friday, March 16, 2012

All-Women SeaBee team in Afghanistan

The Seabees have a long history. Starting in 1942 as fighting construction companies in the Navy. Men were the only Seabees until 1972. The first woman was Carmella Jones.

But because of the fact that these were companies that could see combat, woman were not really much of a part of the Seabees if they were in combat areas.

In 1994, the rules were changed and women were allowed to be with mobile construction companies.

Recently, an all-female construction crew completed projects in Afghanistan.

Their work was completed in the Helmand Province, which is a very remote are and under influence of the Taliban.

This all-women construction team did a magnificent job. They completed the entire project in less time than projected. The built a command center, a gym, and berthing units.

These women are all part of Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 4, stationed near Ventura, California. The battalion has over 600 servicemen and women. The women in this team were from Detachment 4. Normally this unit sends small teams from up to about 15 members for projects.

Apparently nobody knew the team picked was all women until by chance someone noticed they were no men involved.

This is a list of the women involved.
Petty Officer 3rd Class Gafayat Moradeyo
Petty Officer 3rd Class Amber Mann
Petty Officer 3rd Class Jessica Vera
Petty Officer 3rd Class Kadisha Lee
Seaman Kacie Dunlavey
Constructionman Shelby Lutrey
Seaman Shayla Miles
Seaman Carla Diazcastillo

Let's get more good stories about out men and women serving in Afghanistan.

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