Deployed to Afghanistan

Navy Constructionman Kenneth E. Phillips, Jr., son of Karen L. Phillips of Walnutport and Kenneth E. Phillips of Whitehall recently began an almost five-month deployment to Afghanistan while assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 133, homeported at Naval Construction Battalion Center, Gulfport, Miss.

NMCB-133's primary mission on deployment will be providing construction support to improve the living and working quarters for the 30, 000 troops needed in Afghanistan.

NMCB-133 historically provides responsive military construction support toNaval, Marine Corps, and other forces in military operations; constructs base facilities; and conducts defensive operations as required by the circumstances of the deployment situation. In times of emergency or disaster, the battalion conducts disaster control and recovery operations, including emergency public works functions.

Phillips is a 2000 graduate of Whitehall High School and joined the Navy in September 2008.