Photo By Sgt. John Giltamag | U.S. Army Sgt. Davis Swanson, assigned to Alpha Company, 898th Brigade Engineer...... read more read more
Subscribe
YAKIMA TRAINING CENTER, Wash. – After many years of dedicated service, Washington National Guard Soldiers with Alpha Company, 898th Engineer Battalion, 81st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, a combat engineer unit, are preparing for a big transition as the Army restructures for a more mobile future.
The unit is being realigned to a Mobility Combat Team, from a Stryker Combat Team structure, part of the Army’s larger effort to increase speed and flexibility in operations.
“This transformation is all about moving away from the Stryker Combat Team to the Mobility Combat Team,” said U.S. Army Capt. John Sumayang, Alpha Company commander. “The shift will allow the company to support a wider range of operations while enhancing its ability to respond quickly to both training and real-world missions.”
For the last official drill, Soldiers gathered to train with heavy weapons in preparation for Expert Soldier Badge qualifications.
“Today is really about celebrating the overall success of Alpha Company and saying goodbye to it,” said U.S. Army Sgt.1st Class Jason Longmire, a combat engineer. “We’ve done a lot of great things as a unit. Our training is always really intense and very in-depth, but the Soldiers like that, and that’s what they like to learn.”
Alpha Company provides support to units by overcoming obstacles and ensuring friendly forces can maneuver and deploy without terrain or enemy interference.
“Our main objective is breaching obstacles, so all of our training revolves around doing that with explosives,” said U.S. Army Pfc. Mariah Molly, a combat engineer, said, “Getting out in the field and having access to demo ranges is really beneficial for us, because there aren’t many places in Washington where we have opportunities to train.”
In addition to combat engineering tasks, such as building and clearing obstacles, Soldiers gain experience in a range of operations, including wildfire and flood response, and supporting infantry units during training and deployments by breaching obstacles so they can assault through. The unit also benefits from one of the largest training facilities in the region, providing access to demolition ranges, obstacle courses, and firing lanes, which allow Soldiers to be mission-ready in realistic and controlled environments.
The company stands out for its leadership and Soldier engagement.
“This unit excels at listening to junior Soldiers and tailoring training based on what they want to learn. It helps with retention and keeps Soldiers engaged,” said Longmire. “Morale is high, and Soldiers are friends outside the Guard. That shows how well this unit keeps everyone motivated,”
As the unit merges into the new engineer company in Vancouver, Washington, Soldiers will face new challenges and opportunities.
“The transition is exciting. We’ll meet new people and learn new approaches,” said Molly, “It’s going to be a big jump, but I think I’m going to learn a lot in the process.”
Though Alpha Company is closing this chapter, its legacy of excellence, trust, and mentorship continues.
“Sappers lead the way,” said Sumayang, a motto that embodies the spirit of the unit moving forward.
| Date Taken: | 02.01.2026 |
| Date Posted: | 02.07.2026 19:21 |
| Story ID: | 557273 |
| Location: | YAKIMA TRAINING CENTER, WASHINGTON, US |
| Web Views: | 59 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Alpha Company’s Last Drill: A Legacy of Excellence, by SGT Elaina Nieves, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
