Photo By Maj. Chris Bradley | Sappers from the 54th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 173rd Airborne Brigade fly the...... read more read more
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In a strikingly close decision, Team 12 from the 54th Brigade Engineer Battalion (BEB), 173rd Airborne Brigade, earned third place at the Lt. Gen. Robert B. Flowers Best Sapper Competition in Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, Apr. 19.
The 54th BEB Sapper teams were constructed from three companies throughout the battalion: Hurricane (Headquarters and Headquarters Company), Castle (A Co), and Bastion (B Co) Companies.
TEAM 12: 1st Lt. Andrew Warner (HHC), 1st Lt. Louis Tobergte (A CO)
TEAM 31: 2nd Lt. Thomas Rupp (A CO), Staff Sgt. Caleb Michaud (B CO)
TEAM 34 : Sgt. Caleb Perry (A CO), Sgt. James Shelton (A CO)
The 173rd Airborne Brigade is host to some of the nation’s most revered and fierce paratroopers. It is no surprise that three teams entered the competition from the Brigade’s 54th BEB. The 54th BEB is one of U.S. Army Europe’s most dynamic engineer battalions. Their capabilities include tactical signal, accurate military intelligence, world-class sustainment, and of course, two energetic and lethal engineer companies.
This competition is the nation’s premier military engineer event, focusing on advanced war fighting skills and the art of combat engineering. The field of competitors was stacked with forty teams from around the world, including teams from Italy, Germany and the Republic of Korea, as well as U.S. Army units stationed in Hawaii, Alaska and throughout the continental United States. One team of Marines participated from Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.
Paratroopers from across the 173rd Airborne, with various military occupational specialties continually compete for the highest honors in the Army. Earlier this month, a two-soldier team from 1-503rd Infantry Battalion participated in the 35th U.S. Army Best Ranger Competition at Fort Benning, Georgia. Additionally, a two-soldier team of military chefs recently returned from the 43rd Annual Joint Culinary Training Exercise, held in Fort Lee, Va. with top honors and with one paratrooper earning the title of Armed Forces Chef of the Year. Paratroopers from the 173rd continually display the effects of readiness with their competitiveness as the proof.
The 54th BEB Commander, Lt. Col. Andrew Baker, and Cmd. Sgt. Maj., Delfin Romani are incredibly proud of their six combat engineers who aggressively engaged the competition. The relentless drive of these competitors aligns directly with the high standard of the “Dagger Battalion,” and exemplifies the time-honored prestige of the 173rd Airborne Brigade.
“This great achievement is not only a Sapper team success, but a huge success for the entire battalion," said Baker. "It’s a huge deal to place third out of the forty teams that have trained so hard to get there. Placing in this event not only reflects the outstanding team efforts, but also the incredible support provided by the entire battalion.”
“From the staff, to the Ranger and Sapper school assessment team, and support from all of the companies. This success means more than Best Sapper, it is a historic mark for our battalion. There are so many people to thank."
“We are extremely proud of these Sappers. These paratroopers are the best that the 54th has to offer in this competition," said Romani, who attended portions of the competition. "Their strength, drive, and never quit mentality helped them get through some extremely challenging events. The Sappers here are examples for our paratroopers to follow; not only with the drive to compete, but to excel professionally, and at life. These men are resilient and had the incredible support of their families, which is so important.”
1st Lt. Louis Tobergte’s wife was at the event to cheer on her Sapper. The family of 1st Lt. Andrew Warner also attended to cheer him along and see their Sapper across the finish line.
“While we were preparing for this year's competition, Sgt. Shelton and I already had our minds made up about competing next year," said Sgt. Caleb Perry of Team 34 which was medically dropped form the competition. "We’ll be back. Being set back for medical reasons isn’t a failure, it just gives us more motivation to get after it next year. These guys are go-getters and their drive to keep going is crazy.”
On April 14th, forty teams of combat engineers from all over the world stood ready at the start of one of the toughest, most physically and mentally demanding competitions in the Engineer Regiment, and one of the most prestigious competitions in the military: the Lt. Gen. Robert B. Flowers Best Sapper Competition. Three, two, one…the teams sped off to earn the title of Best Sapper.
The competition’s namesake, Lt. Gen. Flowers, retired as the 50th Chief of Engineers. He is a leader whom Sappers throughout the Regiment respect with the highest regard. Flowers has left an indelible mark on the Engineer Regiment as an incredible leader, and advocate for the combat engineer community. Because of his devotion, the competition was renamed in his honor this year. The competition received it’s new name on April 16, 2018 at the U.S. Army Engineer School at Fort Leonard Wood. This is the twelfth year of the competition, and tasks that the engineers must complete are as difficult as ever before.
Over the three day competition, each two-Sapper team marched over fifty miles and endured over fifty hours of arduous combat oriented tests of skill. The events included runs and marches for unknown amounts of time and distance, helo-cast operations into frigid waters at night, rappelling, radio operations, evacuating casualties, mine detection, and breaches using various techniques and explosives. Additional knowledge in mountaineering, pathfinder, and engineer reconnaissance were required to successfully complete the tests.
The 54th BEB team efforts toward this competition did not simply begin once the teams arrived in Fort Leonard Wood. Their training regimens started months in advance at their home station in Vicenza, Italy. Early mornings were spent conducting multiple mile runs and road marches. Afternoons and evenings were spent studying the Sapper hand book and other technical manuals.
While other troops around the world may have been preparing for their weekend, these dedicated teams were refining their rappelling skills with more senior Sappers. Physical fitness, healthy eating habits, technical ability and book knowledge are key aspects of competing in, and completing the course.
As the course became more demanding, our Sappers became indomitable; surmounting all obstacles in their path. Stirring up the intestinal fortitude to jump from a CH-47 helicopter into cold Missouri water with your buddy, or finding the strength inside your heart to keep moving forward for miles on end, or the split-second courage to attack into a smoke-filled breach are not easily developed characteristics.
54th BEB Sappers are tested warriors who are ready to implement that same courage on the battlefield. They are prepared for the unforgiving crucible of ground combat, and are ready to fight tonight.
For placing third in the competition, Team 12 was awarded the Army Engineer Regiment’s Steel de Fleury Medal and the Army Achievement Medal. The top twenty teams received regimental coins from the Engineer School Commandant, Brig. Gen. Bob Whittle, and Engineer Regimental Cmd. Sgt. Maj, Cmd. Sgt. Maj. Trevor C. Walker. All of the competitors received Certificates of Achievements.
The 54th Brigade Engineer Battalion is truly proud to have energetic and passionate paratroopers in their formation. These Paratroopers will return home to Vicenza with new knowledge and a revitalized spirit to empower junior leaders. The next generation of Best Sapper competitors will gain from this insight, and build upon the experience of those who return.
“When our country has a very tough mission, they call the Army. When the Army has a very tough mission, they call on the Sappers,” said Lt. Gen. Flowers while delivering his remarks during the awards ceremony Thursday morning.
Sappers serve at the cutting edge of our country’s sword. With their Daggers forward, the Paratroopers of the 54th BEB lead the way.
| Date Taken: | 04.19.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 04.19.2018 15:06 |
| Story ID: | 273731 |
| Location: | FORT LEONARD WOOD, MO, US |
| Web Views: | 693 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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