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Blackanthem Military News
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Last Updated:
Aug 21, 2008 - 7:13:55 AM |
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Blackanthem Military News
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| Sfc. Robert Irvine, acting field First Sergeant for the 26th Brigade Special Troops Battalion's Engineer Company leads the way as members of 1st Platoon ruck march out to their training site. Photo by Pfc. David K. Strayer, 109 MPAD |
Ft. Indiantown Gap, Pa. - Members of the 26th Brigade Special Troops Battalion, Engineer Company from the Massachusetts National Guard conducts combat tactics training as part of their two week annual training today at Ft. Indiantown Gap.
Engineer Co. has conducted training and missions at many different places including Ft. Drum, NY., Korea, and South America, however, this is their first trip to Ft. Indiantown Gap. Engineer Co. takes it's training very seriously, for them, rigorous training and combat readiness is nothing out of the ordinary.
Engineer Company's 1st Platoon was conducting the combat tactics training today. The unit began the day with a four mile ‘ruck' march out to their training site where they would spend the entire day.
"Our training regiment consists of basic to advanced infantry combat tactics to include reacting to contact, encountering several types of ambush situations, and reacting to mortar and artillery strikes," said Sfc. Robert Irvine, the acting platoon sergeant for 1st platoon. He went on to add, "We train like the infantry because we are a combat arms MOS, we encountered all of these situations that we are training for on close to a daily basis during our last deployment to Iraq."
Engineer Co. was deployed to Iraq in 2005 and was the acting security force at the Abu Graibe prisoner of war facility.
"Our guys must be proficient in every aspect of our job whether it be demolition, operating heavy equipment, or conducting combat missions with infantry units," said Irvine. "Whatever mission we are given we will be prepared."
Engineer Co. trains hard and seriously, however, they also find enjoyment in their job.
"We had about 100 extra smoke grenades left over last night after our training was finished," said Spc. Brandon Pouliot, a demolition specialist and heavy vehicle operator for Engineer Co. "We popped off all 100 grenades to get the newer guys that training, with all the pink, and purple smoke in the air it looked like a cotton-candy factory out here, it was great."
Engineer Co. is full of reliable, professional, gritty Soldiers, however, Irvine, the platoon sergeant for 1st platoon is among the most respected most experienced non-commissioned officer in the unit, and it shows. To him, unit cohesion and competency are among the most important assets a unit can have. Irvine has been deployed three times, once to Panama in 1989, Desert Storm in 1991, and Iraq in 2005. With these experiences, Irvine not only knows what it takes to survive a combat situation, but how to prepare others to survive as well.
"There are a lot of great Soldiers in this unit," said Irvine. "We have a few new guys now, we are trying to develop their skills and confidence by getting them the type of experience that you can only get from hands-on, live fire training; for me, the best part of being in my position is the ability to channel my experience and skills into lessons and training that these guys would otherwise not have available to them."
Engineer Co. is up on deployment rotation in 2009, and not one of them had anything but confidence and motivation when talking about the upcoming deployment. They train hard, play hard, and enjoy their job and the people they do it with. With great leadership, a hard work ethic, and a gritty Massachusetts attitude Engineer Co. is ready to handle whatever is thrown at them. If you need something built, a group for a search and destroy mission or something to be blown up past the point of any recognition the guys of the 26th BSTB Engineer Company are the ones to call.
ADDITIONAL PHOTOS:
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| Members of the 26th Brigade Special Troops Battalion's Engineer Company conducted combat tactics training at Ft. Indiantown Gap today. Photo by Pfc. David K. Strayer, 109th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment |
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| Sfc. Robert Irvine, acting field First Sergeant of the 26th Brigade Special Troops Battalion's Engineer Company leads by example, instructing his troops how to properly react to an ambush situation. Photo by Pfc. David K. Strayer, 109th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment |
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| Members of the 26th Brigade Special Troops Battalion's 1st Platoon Engineer Company form a 'cigar' formation in an ambush during their combat tactics training at Ft. Indiantown Gap. Photo by Pfc. David K. Strayer, 109th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment |
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| 26th Brigade Special Troops Battalion's Engineer Company performs combat tactics training at Ft. Indiantown Gap. Photo by Pfc. David K. Strayer, 109th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment |
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| Lt. Lind, 1st Platoon leader of the 26th Brigade Specal Troops Battalion' s Engineer Company marches with his men on before a day of combat tactics training. Photo by Pfc. David K. Strayer, 109th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment |
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