Photo By Spc. Precious Scott | U.S Soldiers with the 326th Brigade Engineer Battalion jump from a CH-47 Chinook...... read more read more
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BABADAG, Romania -- Soldiers assigned to the 326th Brigade Engineer Battalion alongside the Romanian 307th Naval Infantry Regiment, took a plunge into Lake Razelm during Combat Water Survival Assessment and Helocast training in Babadag, Romania, July 18-20, 2023.
The hands-on training was an opportunity for the service members to engage with their NATO allies, enhance their tactics and learn new ones. These skills will allow them to react during deep water emergencies.
“I think you get a lot of value out of joint partnership exercises,” said U.S. Army Capt. Charlene Coutteau, an engineer officer with Bravo Company 326th BEB (Savages), 101st Airborne Brigade Combat Team. “It's an invaluable experience being able to learn their tactics, our tactics and just build those relationships moving forward.”
In order for the Helocast training to take place, the 326th command team was responsible for getting special permissions to conduct this operation.
“The biggest one obviously is that we’re in another country,” said Coutteau, explaining how they had work with the NATO allies in order to resource the land and obtain permissions. “Helocast are pretty high risk events.”
The 326th BEB are supporting the Romanian Army during Operation Assurance, Deter and Reinforce to build relationships and get to know other ally forces to improve interoperability.
“More than anything, working with the range control people at Babadag. We’re really thankful that we have the boats and divers here on standby to help make this event safe,” said Coutteau
According to Coutteau, this type of training provides service members the chance to get experience in operational missions they could encounter as combat engineers.
“What I would say about the engineers is that it’s kind of the best of both worlds,” said Coutteau.
She explained it's a very diverse mission which includes firefighting, diving and other efforts, so engineers have to be ready to do anything.
“Having the small experience could better prepare you for opportunities down the line,” said Pfc. Joseph Rodriguez, a combat engineer. “This training is important for our overall mission because newer soldiers, and even a little bit more seasoned, who are trying to make their way to Sapper School.”
CWSA and Helocast training is important for those who want to attend Sapper and other military advancement schools.
The Sapper Leader Course is a 28-day leadership development course for combat engineers that strengthens skills and teaches advanced techniques and builds esprit de corps by training soldiers in troop procedures, demolitions and mountaineering operations.
“This training gives our guys an idea that there are many facets to the engineers, and this is one of the missions that they could be expected to undertake someday as an elite combat engineer," said Coutteau.
| Date Taken: | 07.19.2023 |
| Date Posted: | 07.21.2023 07:40 |
| Story ID: | 449648 |
| Location: | RO |
| Web Views: | 367 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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