Photo By Catherine Carroll | Stephanie Gates, a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Transatlantic Middle East District...... read more read more
FORT JOHNSON, La. — In a world where threats to military personnel and operations are ever-evolving, safeguarding lives has never been more critical. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is at the forefront of this mission. Providing engineering, design, and construction support and services within one of the world’s most dynamic operational environments, USACE’s Transatlantic Division is committed to providing the innovative solutions essential for protecting those serving downrange.
Since the early 1950’s, USACE has pioneered engineering, design and construction innovation in what is now the U.S. Central Command’s area of operations. This legacy of support is particularly crucial today, as the region's complexities demand cutting-edge solutions. Operating across the Middle East, Central and South Asia, and the Levant, CENTCOM and their component commands, as well as the Special Operations Command, must consistently adapt to new challenges.
One of the Transatlantic Division’s key roles in supporting the region today is facilitating force protection and operational resilience. Through strong partnerships and continuous collaboration, the Division and its two districts, are committed to bringing the power of the full USACE Enterprise to the effort.
The recent Assessments and Solutions for Survivability from Emerging Threats live-fire demonstration at Fort Johnson on Sept. 18, showcased a prime example of this commitment. The event highlighted advancements in Modular Protection Systems developed by the USACE Engineer Research and Development Center.
Designed to provide passive protection against small arms, rockets, mortars, and explosive threats, MPS systems are rapidly deployable and adaptable without requiring specialized tools.
The Engineer Research and Development Center’s science and technology demonstrations funded by the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition Logistics and Technology in support of Army Future Command priorities also included the testing of personnel bunker capable of withstanding direct hits from advanced missiles. These technologies exemplify USACE’s proactive approach to safeguarding U.S. forces.
Jason Roth, an Army senior scientist at ERDC, welcomed the attendees, which included engineers and scientists from USACE, the U.S. Army Central Command, a Special Operations Task Force, and even the British Army, and emphasized the importance of the innovations on display.
“We are going to see a couple of different technologies today focused on expedient force protection and some really good solutions to emerging threats,” Roth began. “Having worked in this field for over 20 years, I’ve witnessed significant changes in the landscape over the past decade or so.
“But the world is really changing, and threats are really changing, so the kinds of solutions we really need now are also evolving,” Roth Explained. “What you’ll see today reflects that evolution—these are solutions designed for efficient implementation in the field.”
The CENTCOM region is a perfect environment for testing new technologies. The complex operational and geographical landscape combined with CENTCOM’s focus on people, partnerships, and innovation creates a formidable atmosphere for driving advancements in force protection. And it is also where communication and collaboration become vital a vital part of innovation.
Pamela Kinnebrew, ERDC technical director attended the demonstration and discussed ways her USACE Center receives and provides information, feedback, and requests that drive new solutions in real time.
“Getting real-time feedback and requests for information, or RFIs, on current needs on the ground is vital,” Kinnebrew stated. “ERDC isn’t just a research and development facility tucked away in the U.S.; we have a direct line to the frontlines. Digital tools and resources connect personnel on the ground to experts at USACE.
“Currently, much of the information coming into ERDC is coming through the RFI process. Professionals in theater go to the REDi site [a secure online platform developed by USACE] to submit their challenges, asking, ‘I have this threat; can you provide a solution?’” Kinnebrew explained. “In the past, we've even had RFIs coming in directly to engineers and scientists from personnel under fire. This can be a literal lifeline, connecting research and development directly to urgent needs on the ground.”
Maintaining this seamless connection between research and development efforts and those on the ground is crucial. The Transatlantic Division’s partnerships and their ability to maintain a direct presence in the region ensures effective communication. When SOCOM needs modifications or new solutions, this strong partnership is especially key.
“Partnerships, relationships, and connections are vital so that personnel know who to call when they need immediate information or assistance,” Kinnebrew emphasized. “There’s never just one approach to addressing challenges, and so continuous dialogue ensures we’re aligned on research and current needs.”
The strength of the Transatlantic Division lies in its ability to connect diverse expertise with the needs of those in the field. U.S. Army Col. Christina L. Burton, ARCENT engineer director, considers USACE a vital partner in supporting ARCENT’s mission to enhance operational readiness and ensure the safety and well-being of soldiers deployed downrange.
“These events are important so that we can make sure that we have a coordinated effort on force protection issues that we're seeing in theater,” said Burton. “With the Transatlantic Division, ERDC, and the USACE Protective Design Center, we have all the right people at the table attacking the problem in the most efficient and effective way to make sure that we're protecting our Soldiers.
“We have a good working relationship with USACE, so we make sure that if we have issues, we go straight to the subject matter experts to engage them on solutions,” Burton added. “The Transatlantic Division is the link between the full spectrum of USACE capabilities and support to the warfighter. They keep us directly connected to the solutions and innovations that are saving lives downrange.”
A Special Operations Task Force engineer and project management professional who attended the event with his team, expressed enthusiasm about the advancements presented at the demonstration.
“We are excited about the innovative force protection solutions presented today. As the threat to U.S. personnel in forward operational environments changes, our force protection efforts must adapt as well. We are looking forward to our continued partnership with ERDC and the USACE enterprise.”
British Army Capt. Tarjan Subba, an officer with the Specialist Team Royal Engineers, a force protection engineering team from the United Kingdom, highlighted the importance of teamwork and how a collaborative effort enhances safety on the battlefield, saves time, reduces costs, and, most importantly, saves lives.
“Our team is dedicated to force protection engineering for both the UK and allied forces. We aim to support personnel by addressing emerging threats and conventional challenges across all aspects of operations,” Subba said. “Partnerships with USACE, our allies, and CENTCOM are vital. By sharing information among nations, we can collaborate on best practices, especially in force protection engineering. Every project requires significant investment, so combining our resources and expertise helps us develop effective solutions against threats.
“The demonstrations we’re witnessing today are crucial,” Subba continued. “They provide us with insights that will help answer questions raised by commanders in the field. The information we gather here will undoubtedly benefit my team and foster collaboration with our partners involved in this project.”
Stephanie Gates, a Transatlantic Middle East District structural engineer, was excited to attend the demonstration and for the opportunity to engage face to face with the mission partners who are not only bringing her designs to reality, but those who may utilize them as well.
“A lot of what I do involves protective structures,” Gates explained. “The Middle East District plays a big part in designing these structures and coordinating with ERDC and the PDC to ensure our designs are adequate for the threats we're trying to protect against. Our goal is to create structures that safeguard both our Soldiers and the personnel who will use them.
“That's one of my favorite parts of the job: knowing that I get to help people and improve Soldiers' lives. My brother is in the Army, and it’s special to help others like him, knowing they are overseas serving our country while we’re protected here,” Gates shared. “It’s good to give back and support them.
Through strong partnerships and clear communication, USACE and its partners are building robust and adaptable force protection foundations that are ready to support the complex needs of the warfighter. Events like the ASSET demonstration reinforce USACE’s role in driving innovation and operational excellence, translating research and development into real-world solutions that address the dynamic challenges of the battlefield.
Roger Vogler, the Transatlantic Division engineer and construction chief with nearly 20 years of experience in leading engineering and construction projects and over 30 years with USACE, summed up the event.
“These engagements highlight the breadth and depth of USACE’s technical expertise. While it is always rewarding to be involved in projects designed to improve the quality of life and mission effectiveness of service members, being included in force protection engineering efforts is even more rewarding as the resulting products will save lives.”
| Date Taken: | 10.21.2024 |
| Date Posted: | 10.21.2024 14:22 |
| Story ID: | 483577 |
| Location: | FORT JOHNSON, LOUISIANA, US |
| Web Views: | 139 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Building Tomorrow's Solutions: USACE's Commitment to Innovating Force Protection, by Catherine Carroll, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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