891st Engineer Battalion Conducts Combat Engineer Training with Kuwaiti Land Forces Soldiers

Photo By 1st Lt. Adam Krueger | Spc. Amanda Mounce, a petroleum supply specialist, and Spc. Deisy Salas-Diaz, a transportation specialist with Forward Support Company, 891st En Bn work with Soldiers from Kuwaiti Land Forces to fill sandbags Oct. 7. The sandbags are a part of the new fighting positions constructed in the Land Force Institute’s combat course. (U.S. Army Photo by Sgt. Katie Mazos, 891st En Bn)  

KUWAIT

10.07.2020

Courtesy Story

16th Engineer Brigade Public Affairs

The 891st Engineer Battalion experienced a remarkable opportunity to train side by side with Kuwait Land Force troops during the month of October.
The Joint Combat Engineer training, named “Joint training Red Palace” provided effective combat preparation for each Soldier.
From October 4-15 approximately 30 Soldiers from the Forward Support Company (FSC), Headquarters and Headquarters Company (HHC), 168th Engineer Construction Company (ECC), and 1023rd Vertical Engineer Company (EVCC) traveled to the Land Forces Institute in Kuwait to rebuild fighting trenches and provide basic instruction on the proper ways to build fighting positions, giving multiple partnership opportunities between the two forces.
The KLF’s fighting positions are based on British doctrine.
With the guidance of British Warrant Officer Class 2, Andrew “Axel” Foley, the 891st Engineer Battalion and Kuwait Land Force troops rebuilt six different positions in 10 days.
After decades of use and wear from the harsh environment, the positions were heavily worn down.
Soldiers from both forces began by removing the existing sandbags that surrounded the positions, followed by digging out the sand-filled trenches.
Then the Soldiers replaced the sandbags with fresh ones and coated them with a concrete mix to slow the deterioration from the sun.
“It is a very positive experience; they are very engaging,” said Foley.
“It builds a strong partnership between the two nations and it allows them to share their resources and capabilities, so then they can improve and learn from both on the US side and the Kuwait side,” he added.
“Working with the Kuwaitis was a good experience overall. I personally enjoyed it and we accomplished what we set out to do,” reflected Sgt. Jeremy Blevins, 891st HHC Engineer Battalion.
Soldiers from Task Force Iron Castle and Task Force Tornado will continue to partner with Kuwaiti Land Force Troops for more joint training opportunities throughout the month.

• Date Taken: 10.07.2020
• Date Posted: 10.26.2020 10:11
• Story ID: 381728
• Location: KW