NOVO SELO, Bulgaria-The 841st Engineer Battalion, U.S. Army Reserve and 194th Engineer Brigade, Tennessee Army National Guard, maintenance teams sustain equipment strength during Operation Resolute Castle. Operation Resolute Castle is United States Army Europe led military construction operation that spans from constructing roadways to infrastructure improvements across Eastern Europe which includes Bulgaria, Romania, Estonia, and Hungary.
The soldiers working at the maintenance bay and motor pool (heavy equipment/vehicle holding area) during Operation Resolute Castle were occupied from sunrise to sundown, getting construction equipment, including but not limited to, dump trucks forklifts, and excavatorsback into working condition.
During Resolute Castle the construction team is improving on tank maneuver lanes to increase capacity and capability of training areas and improve on the longevity of roads that leads into the construction sites at Novo Selo training area. Pvt. 1st Class Roshawn Hayles, mechanic for 841st Engineer Battalion, U.S. Army Reserve was asked about his experience during Operation Resolute Castle, he replied “Great hands on experience, learning a lot on the vehicles and how to work on them, when it comes to different terrain.”
When Pvt 1st Class Hayles was ask what the most exciting part of his work was, he replied, “when you have a one-day turn-around with an equipment that comes in.”
Sgt. Yulgye Echavarra, 841st Eng. Bn., says, “this is not a simulation training… great work experience.” When Echavarra was asked, how imperative is it to get the vehicles back on to the construction site to continue on construction operations, he replied, “any work that is completed on these vehicle affects the mission, these equipment is mission essential to operations.”
The maintenance team consists of other personnel from other components which comes together to make a strong cohesive team. Sgt. 1st Class Stevie McClure, logistic equipment manager, 194th Eng. Bde., Tennessee Army National Guard, says “the overall mission is good and working well with the different components.” When asked what is good about the mission, Sgt. 1st Class Eric Summerville, senior logistic supervisor, 841st Eng. Bn. said, “it is different from a weekend a month back at home versus doing an annual training event…it is great to see soldiers doing their jobs and put all their training into action.”
1st Lt. Janay Johnson, maintenance officer in charge, stated, “the soldiers are doing great things for the organization and it is great to see soldiers step up to the plate to complete mission.”
The maintenance team is thrilled to be here. Working during Operation Resolute Castle gave the United States Army Reserve the opportunity to work on equipment and sharpen their skill set. Their efforts make a difference for the mission.