The long legacy of this unique military force - best described by its slogan, “We Build, We Fight” - began in 1867 when the Civil Engineer Corps was founded. For 75 years the CEC directed the efforts of civil service employees and civilian construction contractors in meeting the Navy's requirements for facilities ashore. In 1942, when the need arose for a construction force in uniform capable of defending itself in a war zone, the Seabees were created, led by the CEC.

A Vital Purpose

With a primary mission of providing continuing construction in a war zone, the Seabees are ready to deploy on short notice to any point on the globe. Upon arrival, they work night and day:

  • Establishing an initial presence
  • Constructing airfields
  • Building facilities
  • Constructing roads
  • Providing basic needs - water, power, sanitation, etc.
  • Providing support services

In peacetime, they deploy to overseas sites where they perform needed construction and are available to respond to:

  • Humanitarian missions worldwide working to benefit impoverished people around the world. They also provide disaster relief wherever needed.

Seabee Accomplishments

To date over 750,000 men and women have served our country through the Seabees and CEC, taking part in an array of vital missions throughout the world. These include:

  • Construction of over 400 advance bases during World War II at such remote locations as:
    • Iwo Jima
    • Okinawa
    • Guadalcanal
    • North Africa
    • Trinidad and the Caribbean
    • Tinian
    • Guam
    • South Pacific
    • New Guinea
    • Normandy Invasion
    • Philippines
    • Aleutians
  • Construction/maintenance of scores of bases during the Korean war
  • Construction throughout South Vietnam
  • Cubi Point Naval Air Station in the Philippines
  • Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean
  • Construction for and support of the National Science Foundation in Antarctica for nearly 40 years
  • Desert Storm
  • Afghanistan
  • Iraqi Freedom
  • Camp David
  • State Department support at embassies /consulates around the world
  • Underwater Construction Teams
  • Plan and implement Navy's Environmental Protection Program

Seabees and CEC officers have also provided invaluable aid and assistance during natural disasters and global crises, such as:

  • Somalia famine
  • Kurd refugees
  • Vietnamese refugees
  • Alaska 1964 earthquake
  • Mt. Pinatubo eruption
  • Hurricane Camille
  • Typhoon Karen