Photo By Spc. Nathan Goodall | Soldiers with B Company, 40th Engineer Battalion, 170th Infantry Brigade Combat Team,...... read more read more
HOENFELS, Germany – For the first time since World War I, Soldiers will conduct combat operations while wearing the 170th Infantry Brigade patch on their arms.
The Soldiers of B Company, 40th Engineer Battalion, 170th Infantry Brigade Combat Team conducted various training exercises at the Joint Multi-National Readiness Center in April as part of a broader training plan that will end when they deploy to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom this summer.
The B Company "Bulldogs" are deploying as a standalone company from the 170th IBCT. While in Afghanistan, they will provide auxiliary route clearance support for another engineer battalion, said Capt. Lorintz B. Gleich, the B Company commander.
"Due to the route clearance mission that combat engineers are now performing, Engineer companies are becoming independent, so they can deploy by themselves," said Gleich. "We will be falling under an Engineer battalion from somewhere else who needs extra support in the [improvised explosive device] fight."
Being detached from either the battalion or brigade level and assigned somewhere else during a deployment is nothing new to combat engineer units. In fact, it can be a welcome change and learning experience, said Staff Sgt. Joseph R. Wagnitz, a Green Bay, Wis., native, now a squad leader with 1st Platoon, B Company.
"Ever since I've been in, we've always been kind of plugged-n-played wherever we are needed," said Wagnitz. "My first deployment I was with the tankers, my second deployment I was with the Infantry, and then I was with the brigade but always attached somewhere else. That experience helps Soldiers grow."
Training for the upcoming deployment started in March when leaders from B Company attended the U.S. Army Route Clearance Course in Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. Shortly after returning to Baumholder, the Bulldogs travelled to Grafenwoehr Training Area where they qualified on their weapon systems and vehicles during the 170th weapons qualification density. After a three-day break from training, the Soldiers came here where they will qualify as a company upon completion of a five-day mission readiness exercise.
According to Pvt. Jacob T. Rodriguez, a gunner with 1st Platoon, B Company, the fast paced training is just an extension of what he was doing during his initial entry training. Having only been with the company since January, Rodriguez said he was excited about how much he had already accomplished.
"The training has been amazing so far," said Rodriguez. "I've learned so much stuff in the last three months. I knew what a combat engineer was, but I didn't know how much went into it. Out on the training lanes, it really hits you how versatile you have to be."
Going through all of the training events at the Joint Mulit-National Readiness Center here as a company, instead part of a larger element, allowed Soldiers plenty of hands on training with the many resources that the JMRC has to offer, said Gleich.
"We have a lot of people trying to help us out," said Gleich. "Instead of notionally talking to a helicopter crew for medical evacuation, we actually have tactical air support and medevac helicopters to work with."
The added resources and special attention the Soldiers of B Company have received at the JMRC have not only impacted the learning curve, but also increased the Soldiers' motivation. Soldiers new to the Army were able to call in air support missions, as opposed to just the company's senior leadership, said Wagnitz.
"Anytime you can get the actual equipment here that you are going to use downrange, you will keep the motivation level high," said Wagnitz. "When we go out on the lanes we actually have support attack helicopters that come with us."
An influx in training aides and attention are not the only factors raising the motivation of Soldiers in B Company. According to Gleich, nearly half of his company volunteered for this deployment. Pfc. Gregory J. Osborne, a dismount team member with 1st Platoon, is one of those volunteers.
"This is the whole reason I joined," said Osborne, a Pinetop, Ariz., native, who came to the Bulldogs from C Company, 40th Engineer Battalion. "I want to go downrange and do my part. I've only been with this company a month, but I feel real confident with these guys. They are very organized and everybody knows their part."
As far as a Soldiers perspective of his place in history, Wagnitz said he hasn't thought about it much. There are more pressing matters at hand.
"The only thing I think about it is our company, and our platoon, and just bringing everyone back," said Wagnitz. "Sure, we will get the kudos when we are done, but right now the focus is on the mission."
| Date Taken: | 05.01.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 05.18.2010 10:34 |
| Story ID: | 49880 |
| Location: | HOENFELS, BAYERN, DE |
| Web Views: | 646 |
| Downloads: | 359 |
This work, 'Bulldogs' Bound for Afghanistan, by SGM Christopher Klutts and SPC Nathan Goodall, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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