250th MRBC Conducts Breach Training

Photo By Timothy Koster | U.S. Army Spc. Christian Diaz, an engineer assigned to the 250th Multi-Role Bridge Company, prepares a breach charge during a training event at Stones Ranch Military Reservation in Easy Lyme, Connecticut, June 15, 2020. This two-day event was part of the unit’s two-week annual training. The first day revolved around classroom instruction and breach charge construction followed by a day at the range to use the charges and simulate breaching doors and creating access points to buildings when one doesn’t exist.  

EAST LYME, CT, UNITED STATES

06.15.2020

Story by Timothy Koster 

Connecticut National Guard Public Affairs Office

Soldiers assigned to the 250th Multi-Role Bridge Company conducted urban breach training at Stones Ranch Military Reservation June 15, 2020.

This two-day event was part of the unit’s two-week annual training. The first day revolved around classroom instruction and breach charge construction followed by a day at the range to use the charges and simulate breaching doors and creating access points to buildings when one doesn’t exist.

Although the Soldiers assigned to the 250th are bridge engineers, a basic understanding of demolition is one of the many skillsets they possess but don’t get the opportunity to regularly put into practice.

“At basic training, when we’re learning our job skill, we train with the 12B – which are combat engineers – and their primary [job] is to breach and blow things up,” said Spc. Samantha Pozo, a bridge engineer assigned to the 250th MRBC, “so this is giving us the opportunity to brush up on our skills.

As a unit, we build bridges. We’ve done a couple of raft bridges, a couple of land bridges … we’re pretty proficient in building our bridges, so it’s a fun experience to blow some things up and get some training we don’t usually get. It’s a good time.”

Pozo also said most the demolition training her unit has conducted in the past focused on larger explosives, such as C4, but reinforcing her breaching skills has been beneficial because it’s a more realistic skillset she may be called upon to use on the modern battlefield.

Breaching charges are created using detonation cord, which consists of a high-explosive core wrapped in a waterproof plastic coating, and a blasting cap. The Soldiers constructed multiple charge shapes, such as one to wrap around a door handle and another to stick onto a wall. Each of these designs serve a different purpose, but with the same result: to give entry into an otherwise inaccessible location.

According to 1st Lt. Michael Fazzino, the officer in charge of the range, although demolition isn’t a primary job skill for the 250th, part of the unit’s strength comes from the versatility of its Soldiers, some of whom are qualified in multiple engineering Military Occupational Skills and cross-training in skill sets helps broaden the scope of each Soldier’s knowledge.

This training event required the Soldiers to work in teams, allowing them to not only build their skills but also the bonds they share as Soldiers and teammates.

We train together and we fight together, said Pozo. There’s been a lot of good teamwork and a lot of good camaraderie; it’s been a good training and team building experience, that’s for sure. Each of the teams have done a great job.

• Date Taken: 06.15.2020
• Date Posted: 06.30.2020 16:19
• Story ID: 373144
• Location: EAST LYME, CT, US