Seabees build Montenegrin clinic

Navy Seabees and Montenegrin soldiers construct an urgent care facility in Kolasin, Montenegro, Sept. 16. Funded by U.S. European Command as part of the Medical Training Exercise in Central and Eastern Europe, the clinic will be one of the most up-to-date medical facilities in the country when it is completed in late November. For more information, go to www.usafe.af.mil/medceur.asp and www.odbrana.gov.me. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman David Dobrydney)

Seabees build Montenegrin clinic

Montenegrin soldier Dalebor Drljevic steadies a ladder for a U.S. Navy Seabee during construction of an urgent care facility in Kolasin, Montenegro, Sept. 16. The clinic, funded by U.S. European Command as part of the 2010 Medical Training Exercise in Central and Eastern Europe, will provide vital capacity in Montenegro’s medical service. For more information, go to www.usafe.af.mil/medceur.asp and www.odbrana.gov.me. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman David Dobrydney)

Seabees build Montenegrin clinic

Navy Seabees work alongside Montenegrin soldiers to prepare the roof for a new urgent care facility in Kolasin, Montenegro, Sept. 16. The clinic’s construction is being funded by U.S. European Command as part of the 2010 Medical Training Exercise in Central and Eastern Europe. For more information, go to www.usafe.af.mil/medceur.asp and www.odbrana.gov.me. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman David Dobrydney)

Seabees build Montenegrin clinic

Published Sept. 18, 2010
By Senior Airman David Dobrydney
MEDCEUR Public Affairs

KOLASIN, Montenegro -- While American Airmen, soldiers and Marines are hard at work training with service members of partner nations at the Medical Training Exercise in Central and Eastern Europe 2010 (MEDCEUR), their Navy counterparts are two hours north in a mountain village.

As part of MEDCEUR 10, hosted at Danilovgrad Army Base this year, U.S. European Command is funding the construction of a new urgent care facility here.

Currently, Montenegrins living in the mountain regions must go to the capital city of Podgorica if they need an emergency care, two hours by car. The new building will house both an emergency room and pharmacy, said Lt. j.g. Brian Mack, officer in charge of Navy Mobile Construction Battalion 7, which is undertaking the project.

Twenty Seabees have been at work on the facility since July, and Lieutenant Mack's unit has established strong ties with the Montenegrins.

"The local community is very hospitable," said Lieutenant Mack. "Everyone understands what we're here for and what we're doing. The gratitude that we've experienced throughout the town is unbelievable."

Petty Officer 2nd Class Derek Abad, supervisor for the $200,000 project, said the Seabees welcomed the chance to really test their skills by constructing the facility from scratch.

"Our utilities men are getting to do the job they went to school for," said Petty Officer Abad, who stated that recent projects the Seabees have tackled have been on the simpler side. "This is a great opportunity for those who are on their first deployment and have four or five years left in the Navy; they can take this experience on to their next project," he said.

Seaman Jeremy Martin, who is on his first deployment as a Seabee, agreed. "It's a great experience being able to build an entire building from the ground up," he said. "You see the entire spectrum of what goes into it."

Seaman Martin also spoke highly of the Montenegrin soldiers who are working alongside the Seabees. "They've been a lot of help on this project," said Seaman Martin. "It's been a blast working with them and seeing their culture."

Petty Officer Abad said that there have been challenges during the project, not the least of which is the language barrier and differences in American and European building materials. However, the project is nearly halfway done, with the roof about to be put up ahead of the coming rainy season.

"These guys are done a great job, coming out here and working every day and getting the job done," he said.

The facility is slated to be completed by the end of November.