The Sappers, headquartered in Picayune, spent three weeks in April and May in Hohenfels, Germany, supporting the Joint Multinational Readiness Center (JMRC). They were tasked with repairing a short take-off and landing (STOL) runway as well as building an airstrip for unmanned aerial surveillance aircraft.
The STOL runway restoration was for one of only three semi-improved airfields the U.S. military has in Europe. The repair involved alleviating any divots or ruts as well as maintaining the shoulder of the runway to provide erosion control. The operation helped to protect the environment and the runway itself.
“The site gives pilots the opportunity to train on a runway similar to what they might experience while they are deployed,” said 2nd Lt. Benjamin Knight, first platoon leader and officer-in-charge for the project.
Their mission also included building an Unmanned Aerial Surveillance (UAS) runway. It now provides UAS units training at JMRC a second option to operate from, on the west side of the training area.
“These little mini deployments are good simulations of actual deployments, getting a group of people and equipment over here and working,” said 1st Lt. Matt Hope, OIC of the UAS runway.
During the mission, the unit experienced training opportunities they were not anticipating. The terrain and soil content was different than what they might experience in Mississippi. This required the unit to adjust their tactics and do more digging to fill in the area to make a level surface.
“We started finding unexploded ordnance (UXO) from the World War II era and had to have Explosive Ordnance Disposal get rid of the bombs. It was a good experience for our younger guys to learn how to react to UXOs and work with EOD and see what they do,” said Staff Sgt. Patrick Garrett, non-commissioned-officer-in-charge of the UAS runway.
Overall, the three-week mission was a success in many ways. The unit especially benefited from working day-in and day-out together, strengthening their working relationships and esprit de corps.
“Our unit cohesion has grown tremendously,” said Spc. Lauren Jones. “I have not been with the unit long so working together for three straight weeks has helped me get to know my unit so much better.”
The unit hopes to return to Germany for more ODT in 2018.