“So, when we first got here, we realized that the mortar mix wasn’t intended for an actual building, it was more for a patio,” said Sgt. Jordan Wheeler, a 12W with the 861st Engineer Company.
Wheeler and the rest of his company are in Cincu, Romania, for Resolute Castle 19, a multi-national joint exercise that conducts real-world engineer projects that strengthens partnerships and enhances training capabilities with NATO allies. Wheeler and the men in his platoon are tasked to work alongside their Romanian counterparts and build a multi-purpose building/gym that will be approximately 20 feet high.
“We were told one thing for concrete and we ended up getting a different one,” said Wheeler.
Despite the setback, Wheeler was able to draw upon his engineering experience in and out of the Rhode Island National Guard (RING).
“My degree is in architectural drafting and design from the New England Institute of Technology,” said Wheeler.
With an engineering background, Wheeler, was able to earn a position as a project manager for Thielsch Engineer. His job is to conduct pre and post inspections before a building goes up and after it’s finished.
“That’s where I started doing construction inspections,” said Wheeler. “From inspecting the earth that they build on, all the way to the steel they put together for the buildings.”
Much of what Wheeler learned as a project manager was how to inspect concrete mixes and soil density.
“It actually helps this unit a lot,” said Wheeler. “I can go out and do a density test on the roads and in situations like we’re in today.
By testing mortar mixtures and fine tuning the mix until it is strong enough to hold the bricks in place, Wheeler and his men are able to adapt and overcome an unforeseen obstacle during the build of the multi-purpose building/gym for their Romanian allies.
From sun up until sundown, Wheeler and his men work long hours in order to complete the building before the end of Resolute Castle 19.
“I think it’s important that we build this building because it’s a good place for the Soldiers to relax and have a little bit of downtime from training,” said Wheeler. “I think it’s good to be here and keep a good rapport with our Romanian allies, they’re one of our strongest allies.”
| Date Taken: | 07.26.2019 |
| Date Posted: | 07.26.2019 05:45 |
| Story ID: | 333125 |
| Location: | CINCU, RO |
| Web Views: | 35 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, 861st Engineers Adapt and Overcome in Romania, by SSG Terry Rajsombath, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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