Engineers support Jungle Operations Training Center

8th Theater Sustainment Command
Courtesy Story

Date: 01.30.2014
Posted: 02.05.2014 19:59
News ID: 120165
Engineers support Jungle Operations Training Center

By 1st Lt. Tyler Skomp, 643rd Engineer Company, 84th Engineer Battalion, 130th Engineer Brigade, 8th Theater Sustainment Command

KAHUKU TRAINING AREA, Hawaii – Engineering soldiers with the 643rd Engineer Company (Vertical Construction), 84th Engineer Battalion, constructed six huts Jan. 22-29 in remote areas throughout the Kahuku Training Area Command in support of the 25th Infantry Division’s Jungle Operations Training Center.

The mission’s emphasis was to create multiple structures that could be used as objectives for platoon attacks and raids.

The buildings were built on three separate locations with two huts on each site: one measuring 8 feet by 8 feet and another measuring 16 feet by 16 feet. However, because of the remoteness of the construction sites desired by the 25th ID, a Chinook helicopter was needed to support the delivery of all the construction material to each location.

The 2nd Platoon, 643rd Engineer Company, conducted the construction through split operations, leaving a squad leader in charge at each site as the crew leader. Doing this maximized the amount of work that could be accomplished in the time allotted.

“It was great to be able to show my young soldiers how to manage a project site and divide labor in such a way that the project stays on schedule,” said Staff Sgt. George Marshall, the leader of the 3rd Squad, 2nd Platoon.

“Even with the rain, wind and nightfall, having a clear objective to reach before going to bed every night made it easier to push through stressful times,” said Spc. Sawyer, engineering soldier with the 1st Squad, 2nd Platoon.

The final constructed buildings provided each site two separate buildings that could act as realistic training villages for the Jungle Operations Training Center while they conduct platoon raids and attacks. Furthermore, these quality buildings will be able to withstand the intense rain and wind that is common at the Kahuku Training Area.