ENNIBUR, Marshall Islands - Seabees deployed with a Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 5’s detail in the Marshall Islands recently began construction of 33-by-49 foot concrete Ennibur Evacuation Center on Enniburr Islet, Kwajalein Atoll.

Enniburr Islet is home for a significant amount of indigenous Marshallese people who work on Roi-Namur, supporting the U.S. Army Garrison-Kwajalein Atoll (USAG-KA) as its primary workforce in daily operations. The evacuation center will serve as the island’s disaster preparedness building for the local community, enhancing the partner nations’ relationship.

“This is very important for NMCB-5, detail Marshall Islands, and the people of Roi-Namur because the work that we do will preserve the rich history and continue the legacy that our fellow Seabees started during World War II,” said Chief Builder Rouel Agustin, NMCB-5’s Detail Marshall Islands assistant officer-in-charge.

When the construction is complete, the two concrete rooms will provide storage of disaster relief materials such as flashlights, water, and medicine. The open area of the building will serve as a gathering and distribution point after a disaster has struck.

“I am very impressed with the full support from USAG-KA, local community, and the contracting force,” said Builder 1st Class German Dunlop, NMCB-5’s Detail Marshall Islands operations and leading petty officer. “The helpful hands and hospitality of the local community allowed the Seabees to break ground in a safe and timely manner.”

Ensign Matthew Crider, NMCB-5’s Detail Marshall Islands officer-in-charge, expressed how the evacuation center project requires a combined effort of coordination and hard work between the Marshallese, USAG-KA, and Seabees.

“Our Seabees are doing some great work out on Enniburr. Our efforts would not be possible without the overwhelming support by the Garrison, its contractors, and the Marshallese,” said Crider. “We are here to serve, and will continue to find ways to support the people of Kwajalein Atoll.”

NMCB-5 is deployed across the Indo-Pacific region conducting high-quality construction to support U.S. and partner nations to strengthen partnerships, deter aggression, and enable expeditionary logistics and naval power projection. The battalion stands ready to support Humanitarian Aid/Disaster Relief and Major Combat Operations throughout the region.