Photo By Cpl. Katherine Solano | Marines with 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division ride aboard a...... read more read more
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CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. — Infantrymen assigned to 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment conducting live-fire training were able to experience the unique capabilities of Bridge Company first hand, June 8.
“Today we crossed approximately 15 vehicles for 2/2, along with about 50 personnel … so they can do some training over the weekend,” said Staff Sgt. Philip Thornton, the maintenance chief for Bridge Company.
He noted the use of rafts - comprised of Ribbon Bridge components and MK III Bridge Erection Boats - allows them to take more personnel while using fewer transport vehicles. Overall movement to and from the training grounds and fuel consumption is also significantly less.
Over the course of 2/2’s training evolution, 8th ESB transported more than 500 Marines and nearly 60 vehicles were ferried back and forth across an approximate 2.4-mile expanse from Engineer Point to Rhodes Point – an auxiliary training ground adjacent to Camp Lejeune.
By ground convoy, the same training area lays 35-miles south of Mainside Camp Lejeune and may take multiple hours to reach and thousands of dollars of fuel and contracting vehicles.
It takes less than an hour to travel the two miles by water when 15-25 engineers come together to transport the personnel, supplies and vehicles, and is essentially free for the unit.
“Any unit that wants to save time, fuel and personnel should contact us,” said Thornton.
The maneuver operations are also important to the engineers themselves. While the bulk of 8th ESB is currently deployed to Afghanistan in support of International Security Assistance Force operations, the exercise provided remain behind assets with valuable training of their own.
“Having the knowledge of what the raft is going to do, how to turn it and how currents will affect it can only be gained by actually conducting the maneuvers,” explained Lance Cpl. Erikon Rosamond, the raft commander for the recent operation.
Rosamond pointed out the obvious benefits of such a partnership: the infantrymen get to their training faster, cheaper and easier, while the engineers get to practice their trade.
“You always need transportation no matter where you are,” Rosamond continued. “It is important to have the maneuverability.
“We just go out there and get it done,” he concluded.
| Date Taken: | 06.08.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 06.11.2012 13:12 |
| Story ID: | 89771 |
| Location: | AL, US |
| Web Views: | 79 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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