Courtesy Photo | Task Force Ram “bridges” its doors open to first-graders from Smith Elementary...... read more read more
By Capt. Jason King
BAUMHOLDER, Germany -- Task Force Ram opened its motor pool gates, Nov. 19, to allow the family members and first-graders from Smith Elementary School the opportunity to learn about different pieces of equipment used by 40th Engineer Battalion soldiers.
The open house consisted of six stations with equipment on display. Engineer specific equipment consisted of the Armored Vehicle Launched Bridge and the Small Emplacement Excavator, or SEE.
“It was fun and enjoyable,” said Pfc. Benjamin Mussack, assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 40th Engineer Battalion, 170th Infantry Brigade Combat Team. “They seemed to love the hands on, especially the .50 Cal. and climbing all over the M113. I could see that they also enjoyed the SEE.”
Mussack, who on a normal day works within the battalion’s operations shop, was busy at the M113 station. He explained, to his best ability, the difference between the M113 and a tank, why the M113 was painted the color it was, how many people could fit inside, and other numerous questions not typically found in the technical manual.
All bundled up to fight the chill, the first-graders and family members listened attentively as soldiers from 40th Engineer Battalion gave explanations about the equipment.
The children and family members were allowed to climb on all of the equipment and were even able to work some of the levers on the SEE. They donned body armor and helmets, and were shown a video about the Shadow unmanned aerial vehicle.
The event came to a close with a group photo underneath the Armored Vehicle Launched Bridge.
“The children had a great time seeing all of the equipment,” said Louise Gregory, a first-grade teacher at Smith Elementary, “I think this event was especially important because their parents will soon deploy and this gave them a better understanding of what soldiers do.”
Soldiers with Task Force Ram, and the remainder of the 170th IBCT, are scheduled to deploy in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in early 2011.
| Date Taken: | 11.19.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 12.10.2010 09:33 |
| Story ID: | 61686 |
| Location: | BAUMHOLDER, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, DE |
| Web Views: | 109 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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