U.S. Marine Engineers Build Toward Mission Success

Photo By Sgt. John Baker | Lance Cpl. Tyler Harriet, a water support technician from Buffalo, Wyo., and Lance Cpl. Kurt Taguba, a combat engineer from Washington, D.C., both from the Engineer Detachment, Logistics Combat Element, Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force-Crisis Response-Central Command, work together to build a weapons rack for the SPMAGTF-CR-CC’s Corporals Course in an undisclosed location within the Central Command Area of Operations. The Marines of the Engineer Detachment all have unique primary job fields but they come together to accomplish any tasks the LCE needs to support the other elements of the SPMAGTF.  

(UNDISCLOSED LOCATION)

05.22.2015

Story by Cpl. John Baker 

Task Force 51/5th Marine Expeditionary Brigade

UNDISCLOSED LOCATION - Marine Corps leadership recently answered the nation’s need for responding quickly to emerging crises by creating Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force Crisis Response units—self-sufficient organizations prepared to respond to any manner of contingencies. Each of these units has a unique component known as the Logistics Combat Element, itself composed of smaller groups of specialized communities of Marines who consistently prove valuable in many situations.

The LCE’s Engineer Detachment is made up of Marines whose specialties allow it to perform a variety of engineering tasks in support of the Ground Combat Element, the Air Combat Element and the Command Element of Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force-Crisis Response-Central Command.

Staff Sgt. Jonathon Hignett, the Engineer Detachment chief for the LCE said he’s confident there is nothing he and his Marines can’t do.

“We’re capable of building just about anything,” said Hignett. “We are capable of building all sorts of permanent structures like buildings, concrete work, and wood frame construction. We have bridge building companies and we also do airfield damage repair, fixing runways when they need to be done.”

Hignett grew up in Philadelphia, where he first found an interest in construction.

“Growing up I was always getting in trouble with my dad for trying to take his tools and trying to build ramps for my skateboards and my bikes,” said Hignett.” I wound up going to high school at a vocational school for construction technology where I learned how to build.”

With 11 years of experience in the Marine Corps and three previous deployments under his belt, Hignett keeps his shop running at a high pace to provide necessary services to his fellow Marines spread about the central command area of operations.

“Our detachment so far has processed hundreds of logistics service requests varying from heavy equipment support to building and construction-related projects,” said Hignett. “We’ve been building benches and tables, fixing people’s desks, and our utilities guys have been running all over base working on air conditioners and generators, making sure everything is working right.”

Hignett and his Marines have no shortage of work. Some days they work up to 12 hours providing necessary services for their fellow Marines. Though the days can be long, Hignett said he knows that every logistics service request is important to the SPMAGTF component that needs assistance.

“We’ve been tasked to assist with the Ground Combat Element by fixing up their crisis response center and building new walls in there,” said Hignett.” There are smaller tasks but they’re all in preparation for us to get out and go build guard posts and things of that nature. It’s given all my guys good construction experience that they need, which will make the big tasks easier.”

Hignett said he and his Marines are the kinds of people that you want around on deployment because they make your life a lot easier.

“Other MOS’s have a very specific skill set that they bring out here, whereas an engineer detachment has anywhere from one to about nine capabilities,” said Hignett. ”Our big task at the end of the day is to provide mobility, counter mobility and survivability by means of general engineering. We can do everything that you can think of that falls under that and that’s what makes us a pretty big necessity.”

Hignett’s Marines all have specific jobs within the engineering field. They consist of everything from welders, to heavy equipment operators, to water support technicians like Lance Cpl. Tyler Harriet, from Buffalo, Wyoming.

“I’m a basic water technician,” said Harriet. “Basically what we do out here is purify water and run the showers and laundromats.”

Though they may all have unique abilities, they all train together and perform tasks outside their specific job field giving each Marine a more diverse skill set.

“I’ve done a lot with the combat engineers,” said Harriet. “We’ve been building shelves, desks, other personal projects and I’ve been cross training with the electricians.”

All of their jobs hold importance, but Hignett said, with his experience in the Philippines, Indonesia and South Korea, he is most proud of the schools he’s helped build. He said one thing that makes his job field special is the positive impact Marines can have on a community.

“I’ve gone out to where there is absolutely nothing on the ground but a dirt lot and within a couple of weeks we have a fully-functioning school,” said Hignett.” It’s amazing to see how fast something like that can be done when organized properly, and the impression you leave on the people there.”

Marines of the SPMAGTF’s LCE Engineer Detachment not only contribute to mission success, but to the legacy of the Corps in the 20 countries within U.S. Central Command’s area of operations.

“It’s probably one of the most rewarding jobs in the Marine Corps,” said Hignett. ”We actually leave a lasting footprint on everything we do, everywhere we go.”

• Date Taken: 05.22.2015
• Date Posted: 05.25.2015 03:53
• Story ID: 164437
• Location: (UNDISCLOSED LOCATION)
• Hometown: BUFFALO, WY, US
• Hometown: PHILADELPHIA, PA, US
• Hometown: SAN JOSE, CA, US
• Hometown: WASHINGTON, DC, US