LTJG Riley Smith, Officer-in-charge of CAT 133-24 and his team will turnover Camp Katuu to the new Air Force CAT on Nov. 14.
The team’s seven-month stay in Palau yielded several community construction projects as well as community relations programs.The team community construction projects amounted to at least $241, 300 and the projects that were completed during their stay in Palau are the Melekeok bathroom facility, Peleliu Memorial repairs, Ngchesar State Road Grading, Meyuns Elementary, Koror Elementary restroom and Harris Elementary restroom.In the Medical Civic Action Program (MEDCAP), the Seabee medical assistant was able to see 1,615 patients through Oct. 15.The team was also able to conduct community outreach in 13 out of 16 states.The Seabees also re-opened the Camp Katuu clinic on a limited basis as agreed upon with the Ministry of Health.Smith said one of the highlights of the team’s stay here is the development of an Emergency Medical Technician course.Smith said that there are about 10 students who graduated from the class.The team also showed countless movies all over Palau.The team continued with its apprenticeship program and graduated five apprentices starting in May.Smith said that another highlight of their stay is the Memorandum of Understanding with the Bureau of Arts and Cultural Affairs and Airai State and moved the World War II era anti-craft gun to Camp Katuu for restoration and display.The team hosted public class on the methods and techniques used to restore the weapon and restored AA gun in now installed in Camp Katuu.Smith said the team also conducted a dozens of technical assists which includes repairs of playgrounds, Asahi Field Scoreboard, hand washing sink at the Airai Elementary School.“Palau is incredibly a unique place. In Palau we did something different, something we do not normally do,” Smith said.He said that the projects that are conducted in elementary schools are the one of the most rewarding projects the team has conducted.
