National Geographic spotlights Seabees

Documentary shows soldiers’ work in Afghanistan

By Petty Officer 2nd Class MICHAEL LINDSEY - NMCB 74 Public Affairs

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National Geographic Explorer recently sent a video crew to document the construction and expansion of Camp Leatherneck in the Helmand Province of Afghanistan last month and Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 74 escorted the crew to a construction site.

Mags Miller, a producer for the documentary, said her directive came shortly after the head of National Geographic visited Camp Leatherneck with the National Security Advisor Gen. James Jones about two months ago. According to Miller, he was amazed by the camp.

The National Geographic crew has spent the last five weeks filming troops at Camp Leatherneck, as well as some of the surrounding forward operating bases and combat outposts within the Helmand province of Afghanistan.

“The reality is that Leatherneck is the heart of this mission in the Helmand province and the FOBs and COPs are where the heart pumps too,” said Miller.

The first phase of construction for Camp Leatherneck was finished in May 2009 by NMCB 5, and now Leatherneck is home to the Marine Expeditionary Brigade — Afghanistan. The second phase of construction, which will triple the size of the camp, has been the responsibility of NMCB 74 since Aug. 18.

“From what I’ve heard and seen, it’s the Seabees who physically built the berms up and did the billeting in not-so-secure areas,” Miller said. “Without the Seabees, I don’t think the Marines would be able to have a camp like Leatherneck.”

The documentary is slated to air in early 2010.