926th Engineer Brigade Commander visits the 10th Brigade Engineers

Photo By 1st Lt. Louis Stevens | Brig. Gen. Georghe Soare and Command Sgt. Maj. George Darie of the 10th Engineer Brigade, Romanian Land Forces, stand aside their U.S. counterparts, Col. Paul Mattern and Command Sgt. Maj. Harry Haines, in Braila, Romania, while overlooking a wet gap crossing that will be used as a training site for engineers in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve, 25 April 2017.  

BRAILA, ROMANIA

04.25.2017

Story by 1st Lt. Louis Stevens 

926th Engineer Brigade

BRAILA, Romania – Col. Paul Mattern and Command Sgt. Maj. Harry Haines traveled from their forward headquarters in Mihail Kogalniceanu, Romania to pay a visit to their NATO allies, the Romanian Land Forces 10th Engineer Brigade, as a token of gratitude and respect for the hospitality and cooperation U.S. Forces have received since beginning operations in Romania, 25 April.
Brig. Gen. Gheorghe Soare, the commander of the 10th Engineer Brigade Romanian Land Forces, welcomed the pair as they arrived in the city of Braila with a tour of the Brigade’s Headquarters and a briefing regarding the 10th Engineer Brigade’s current operations.
“This visit is a great opportunity to promote the history, traditions and culture of the 10th Engineer Brigade as well as of the city of Braila,” said Command Sgt. Maj. George Darie.
Once Col. Mattern and Command Sgt. Maj. Haines were received, they joined Brig. Gen. Soare and Command Sgt. Maj. George Darie, 10th Engineer Brigade, Romanian Land Forces, for an excursion to the nearby training sites, the intent of which was to demonstrate the training assets and capabilities of the Romanians.
Command Sgt. Maj. George Darie related, “The visit is aimed to establish the details on how to achieve the common objectives proposed in the exercise (Resolute Castle 17) and to strengthen the partnership between the service members from both engineer brigades.”
The 926th Engineer Brigade’s leadership arrived to the training site, where they observed a wet gap crossing training area. Wet gap crossings allow engineers to train in the task of rapidly constructing a temporary bridge that affords units the ability to transport equipment and troops to the battlefield.
When encountered in an operational environment, wet gap crossings pose substantial obstruction to the efficient movement of Soldiers, equipment and vehicles.
“As engineers, we possess a unique skillset which affords our combat counterparts, from both Romanian and U.S. Forces, the ability to overcome and traverse obstacles, such as wet gap crossings,” Command Sgt. Maj.Haines said. “Today demonstrated that our alliance with the Romanian Land Forces augments our ability to perform as engineers in this vital role.”
In mid-April, the 926th Engineer Brigade and the 10th Engineer Brigade initiated an engineering exercise entitled “Resolute Castle 2017”, which consists of U.S. National Guard and Reserve units, the Romanian Land Forces, the Navy Seabees, and the U.K. Royal Monmouthshire Royal Engineers.
The visit concluded with farewells from both parties, who left with a confidence that their alliance, and future as partners in the mission of preserving values sanctified in NATO, will continue for many years to come.

• Date Taken: 04.25.2017
• Date Posted: 04.28.2017 07:22
• Story ID: 231885
• Location: BRAILA, RO
• Hometown: CHATTANOOGA, TN, US
• Hometown: CHERAW, SC, US
• Hometown: GREENVILLE, SC, US
• Hometown: MOBILE, AL, US
• Hometown: MONTGOMERY, AL, US
• Hometown: SUMMERVILLE, SC, US