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Seabees partner with Tinian residents to clean beach
Seabees assigned to U.S. Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 3’s Detail Tinian pose for a photo with residents after helping clean up Unai Dankulo Beach on Tinian. (U.S. NAVY/MARCUS HENLEY)
TINIAN, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands—Thirty-three Seabees from U.S. Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 3’s Detail Tinian partnered with residents to clean up trash along Unai Dankulo (Long Beach) on Tinian last July 18.
“It’s awesome seeing everyone come out with the can-do attitude, working together to preserve the island’s natural beauty,” said Lt. j.g. Aaron Ignacio, officer-in-charge of NMCB-3’s Detail Tinian. “It’s a great experience and allows us to give back to the community and demonstrates our commitment to the people of Tinian.”
The volunteers collected more than seven cubic yards of trash that included plastic bottles, fishing nets, and general waste that washed up from the ocean. The largest effort was on the northern end of the beach that has been underused due to the large volume of debris.
“I commend the Seabees on their initiative and interest in beautifying Long Beach,” said Joseph Hocog, a Tinian resident that participated in the cleanup. “Debris has always been an issue in that area and it was great to see our military brothers and sisters and our [residents] chip in to keep our island clean and inviting.”
NMCB-3, Detail Tinian is continuing to work with the Tinian municipality to plan for future volunteer opportunities and community relations events; the purpose of these events is to create, foster, and develop sustained positive relationships between the military and the local Tinian population.
NMCB-3 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 complete assigned tasking, support Humanitarian Aid/Disaster Relief and Major Combat Operations throughout the area of operations. (Marcus Henley)
