Navy Seabees Return From 7 Months in Kosovo

POINT MUGU — After seven months in Kosovo and other parts of Europe, Rick Cook proudly cradled his youngest daughter, Rita, who will be a year old this month.

He gently stroked her bright red locks as she nestled into his chest, which was still clad in battle fatigues.

“I’ve kind of missed most of her life so far,” said the lieutenant commander, who is executive officer of Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 3, stationed at Port Hueneme.

“I’m looking to make some of that up.”

Cook was among about 350 Seabees who poured off a plane at Point Mugu’s Naval Air Station Monday morning and collided with a crowd of families in a frenzy of hugs and cheers.

Spouses, mostly wives, stood eagerly clutching flowers. Their children, now a tad taller and many a bit more articulate than they were seven months ago, stood nearby. One child waved a sign that read, “Welcome Home Daddy.”

A portion of the Seabee battalion was stationed in Kosovo and the surrounding area for nearly seven months as part of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s peacekeeping force in the region. The Seabees built bridges and barracks, connected electricity and water, and restored or built roads.

“We worked so hard for seven months--so hard at what we did,” said Cook, 38. “Now, to finally be done with it . . . it’s almost indescribable. It’s just wonderful to be home for the holidays.”