Tootle stands by the wellhead and power source (solar panel) for a water well site in eastern Kenya (near Garissa).

Navy Reservist Offers Humanitarian Assistance to Horn of Africa

August 6, 2007 - Glenn Tootle, Assistant Professor in the Department of Civil Engineering and a reserve Commander in the U.S. Navy Civil Engineer Corps (Seabees), recently returned from being involuntarily recalled as a Seabee Planner with the 22nd Naval Construction Regiment. He spent much of his deployment (his second since 9-11) identifying and planning construction projects for the US Navy’s Seabee units deployed with the Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa.

The goal of the combined task force is to conduct operations to ensure that the Horn of Africa and its culturally diverse population reject the trappings of terrorism invading their country and opt for a better way of life for themselves and future generations. With over 1,800 members from all branches of the military, civilian employees, Coalition forces and Partner nations, they are attempting to improve regional security, promote stability, and protect against extremism.

Tootle has traveled to various areas throughout the Horn of Africa and encountered many challenges not normally encountered by a UW professor.

“I was initially attracted to the Horn of Africa mission while I was teaching and researching climate and drought, I wanted to come here and help,” Tootle stated.

Part of his help has included traveling to eastern Kenya to support well-drilling operations in the Garissa region, as well as a trip to the Comoros to plan for the Seabees to construct two schools on Grand Comore Island.

“Travel, ordering construction materials, finding berthing accommodations for the Seabees, and searching for approved food sources all make a Seabee’s deployment challenging,” said Tootle, an 18-year veteran. “However, based on the initial successes in eastern Kenya, Djibouti, Seychelles, and Ethiopia, it’s been extremely rewarding.”