Photo By Ron Lee | A Soldier assigned to the 91st Brigade Engineer Battalion uses a grappling hook to...... read more read more
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ZAGAN, Poland – Soldiers of the 91st Brigade Engineer Battalion, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division breached doors and crawled through ditches as they worked their way through the lanes the engineer qualification tables in Swietoszow, Poland, on June 30, 2017.
Squads conducted offensive, defensive and reconnaissance lanes during this culminating training event. This qualification table ensures that the Sappers are prepared to perform during the company level combined arms live fire exercise.
“This is my chance to certify my engineers and ensure they are ready to go out and properly support the maneuver that is their mission,” said Lt. Col. Matthew Rogers, the battalion commander of the 91st BEB.
Sappers are Soldiers who support the front-line by performing engineering duties like breaching fortifications, clearing and laying mines, demolition, bridge-building and a variety of other tasks. They have been instrumental in every US conflict throughout history.
91st engineers brought a little bit of home with them during the event. To motivate and engage the Soldiers during the lanes, sports terminology was used. They used American football analogies as a way of communicating which stage their squad was clearing while making their way through an obstacle.
“First down is suppressed,” said Rogers. “It means that the enemy’s head is down, and it’s time for us to start moving forward.”
Second down is when the enemy’s view is obscured and the Sappers can move forward to conduct the breach. The obstacle is reduced during the third down, and the fourth down means that the lane is plowed to ensure explosives have not been missed.
A touchdown is achieved when the Soldiers are free to assault through the obstacle and move onward toward their destination.
“As engineers, we help with mobility,” said Rogers. “We help them get to the location they need to get to and if there are obstacles in the way we are going to breach them and allow them to continue on to the objective.”
Engineers are often on the front lines during combat, which makes these positions particularly hazardous. With a tight-knit community, these Soldiers are always ready to support each other.
“Motivation is really the key within the soldiers,” said Staff Sgt. Michael Moua, squad leader assigned to Bravo Company, 91st BEB. “Without motivation and supporting each other, nothing can succeed in any type of battlefield.”
The Saber Battalion (91st BEB) is composed of engineer, signal, military intelligence and service support units. They are currently deployed in support Atlantic Resolve in Europe.
| Date Taken: | 07.04.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 07.06.2018 15:02 |
| Story ID: | 283418 |
| Location: | SWIETOSZOW, PL |
| Web Views: | 536 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Saber Engineers Conduct Qual Tables in Poland, by SGT Lisa Vines, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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