Meet Staff Sgt. Ricardo Torres, a bridge crew member with the 43rd Multi-Role Bridge Company, 20th Engineer Battalion, 36th Engineer Brigade. Torres was deployed to the Drawsko Combat Training Center, Poland, in support of Immediate Response 24, to work on tactical water crossing operations, May 11, 2024.
Torres and his unit construct Improved Ribbon Bridges across water obstacles to expedite the movement of troops and equipment. The bridges can be assembled in various waterways to execute a Wet Gap Crossing,
Torres is a platoon sergeant in the 43rd MRBC and a native of Modesto, California. He looked to the Army to gain structure in his life.
“The Army holds us accountable for a lot,” Torres explained.
Torres has been deployed to Afghanistan, Korea and now Poland. He appreciated this NATO event and the opportunity to work with other Allied and partner nations.
“It helped us build relationships with other forces,” said the platoon sergeant. “It teaches a lot to the younger Soldiers.”
DEFENDER is a Dynamic Employment of Forces to Europe for NATO Deterrence and Enhanced Readiness, and is a U.S. European Command scheduled, U.S. Army Europe and Africa conducted exercise that consists of Saber Strike, Immediate Response, and Swift Response. DEFENDER 24 is linked to NATO’s Steadfast Defender exercise, and DoD’s Large Scale Global Exercise, taking place from 28 March to 31 May. DEFENDER 24 is the largest U.S. Army exercise in Europe and includes more than 17,000 U.S. and 23,000 multinational service members from more than 20 Allied and partner nations, including Croatia, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Georgia, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom.
(U.S. Army Reserve photo by Sgt. Tamie Norris)
| Date Taken: | 05.11.2024 |
| Date Posted: | 05.12.2024 17:59 |
| Photo ID: | 8399765 |
| VIRIN: | 240511-A-KJ355-7031 |
| Resolution: | 1080x780 |
| Size: | 298.47 KB |
| Location: | PL |
| Web Views: | 62 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
This work, Know Your Defender 2024 Staff Sgt. Ricardo Torres, by SGT Tamie Norris, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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