SEOK-EUN-SO, Republic of Korea – Soldiers with 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team “Bulldog”, 1st Armored Division (Rotational), 2nd Infantry Division/ ROK-U.S. Combined Division, conducted a combined bridging exercise across the Imjin-gang River April 21-25.
Exercising systems and procedures to bypass obstacles within an area of operations provides Bulldog Brigade and ROK Army elements freedom of maneuver across the peninsula to rapidly deploy forces expeditiously in response to any contingency.
“We are constructing a combined floating bridge exercise, an Improved Ribbon Bridge, to demonstrate the interoperability of our systems,” said Maj. Eder Ramirez, Mexico City, Mexico, plans chief, Headquarters and Headquarters, 3rd ABCT, 1st AD, 2IDRUCD. “Our equipment is fully compatible and when you combine them both, it enables us to move our personnel and their equipment across the gap.”
The exercise included elements from 3rd ABCT, 1st AD, 11th Engineer Battalion, and 6th Engineer Battalion and ROK Army, to increase synchronization between each nation’s bridging procedures.
“The ROK Army is training alongside us today,” said Pvt. Connor Yost, native of Syracuse, Ohio, bridge crew member, 814th Multi-Role Bridge Company, 11th Engineer Battalion, 2ID/RUCD. “We built a 25 bay enclosure over the gap to cross Bradley’s (M2A3 Bradley Fighting Vehicles) and APCs (Armored Personnel Carriers).”
In keeping with Army-wide standards, maintaining an appropriate readiness posture requires attention to detail and increased unit proficiency of the basic fundamental warrior tasks and battle drills for increased readiness and lethality.
“It’s been a great experience working with our ROK Allies during this exercise,” said Ramirez. “It showcases our interoperability, showcases the combined capability we have here in Korea with our allies, and validates the concept that we can work together to fight and win.”