Photo By Pfc. Franklin Mercado | A multi-purpose tractor lifts dirt during a training exercise with 8th Engineer...... read more read more
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CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. - Marines from 6th and 8th Engineer Support Battalions tested their forward deployed capabilities during a week-long exercise here from July 23 to 27.
While deployed to places like Afghanistan, engineer support Marines provide service members with potable water used for drinking and cooking, water for showers and other hygiene stations, as well as repair driving routes that are regularly used by heavy up-armored vehicles.
During their training exercise, they purified thousands of gallons of water and set up eight showers near Mile Hammock Bay, a training area adjacent to Camp Lejeune. They also improved about one mile of road at Onslow Beach here.
Together, the battalions set up a Tactical Water Purification System and a Light-Weight Water Purification System to pump clean water into tanks. There were three 20,000-gallon and two 50,000-gallon tanks that had to be filled.
"We have a lot of water to pump, and they're really helping us," said Lance Cpl. Mario MedenaValdez, a water support technician with 8th ESB, on the third day of training. "We're working well together. We have 37,000 gallons of water already, so we're setting a good pace."
Marines from both battalions completed the mission as if they’d been working together for longer than the beginning of the week.
"Sixth ESB has stepped up and helped us out with this exercise," said 1st Lt. Lennie Jackson, the Engineer Support Company executive officer. "With [most of] 8th ESB deployed now, we are limited in the number of personnel we have."
The training is not only helping 8th ESB meet training requirements, but it's helping prepare the Marines of 6th ESB for Afghanistan. They are slated to deploy in the upcoming months.
"They're doing an outstanding job," Capt. Donald Galloway, the ES company commander, said about the Marines of 6th ESB. "They are very motivated.”
Throughout the training both battalions have kept that motivation and worth ethic at a high level. The unit’s have shown they are truly capable of performing multiple missions at the same time.
There was no better time for 6th ESB to prove they are capable of taking the reins upon arriving in Afghanistan, with the battalion taking authority from 8th ESB’s forward deployed element. They seized the opportunity.
| Date Taken: | 07.26.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 07.26.2012 16:07 |
| Story ID: | 92212 |
| Location: | CAMP LEJEUNE, NC, US |
| Web Views: | 90 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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