Colombian army engineers train with US National Guard soldiers 3108171

August 2017 Global Defence & Security Industry - Military - Army News
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Defense & Security News - Colombia
 
 

Engineers from the Colombian Army trained with the 125th Multi-Role Bridge Company of U.S. National Guard.

Engineering experts from the Colombian army spent several days with Soldiers from the South Carolina Army National Guard exchanging ideas and information during a State Partnership Program engagement, August 21-25. The engagement included a demonstration of bridging operations by the 125th Multi-Role Bridging Company on Lake Thurmond in McCormick County.
     
Engineering experts from the Colombian army spent several days with Soldiers from the South Carolina Army National Guard exchanging ideas and information during a State Partnership Program engagement, August 21-25. The engagement included a demonstration of bridging operations by the 125th Multi-Role Bridging Company on Lake Thurmond in McCormick County.
Colombian Army engineers learn about bridging techniques from U.S. Soldiers assigned to the 125th Multi Role Bridge Company, South Carolina Army National Guard, at Clarks Hill Training Center, S.C., Aug. 22, 2017.
     
“We had good cross talk and they had good and relevant questions,” said U.S. Army Capt. Joseph Varin, company commander of the 125th Multi-Role Bridging Company.

The S.C. Army National Guard will soon begin using the Acrow Bridge, currently used by the Colombian army. Varin said his unit is interested in seeing the bridge in operation and wants to send Soldiers to Colombia for another exchange prior to fielding the new equipment so engineers from South Carolina can learn from their Colombian army counterparts.

“We practice in a more controlled environment than they do,” Varin said. “The Colombians operate in an area where the threat level is higher and unimproved roads is an obstacle they face.”

During the exchange, the Colombian army soldiers gave a presentation on Colombian engineering capabilities.

Colombian army Maj. Oscar Fernandez, executive and second commander for Battalion of Engineers No. 9 in Tolemaida, said he was impressed “by the capacity the U.S. Army has for bridges to be used during natural disasters.”

“The event was helpful and my hope is to work and train with the South Carolina National Guard in the future,” Fernandez said.

The South Carolina National Guard has been paired with the Republic of Colombia through the National Guard’s State Partnership Program since July 2012, and will complete more than 30 engagements with its partner this year.
     
Engineering experts from the Colombian army spent several days with Soldiers from the South Carolina Army National Guard exchanging ideas and information during a State Partnership Program engagement, August 21-25. The engagement included a demonstration of bridging operations by the 125th Multi-Role Bridging Company on Lake Thurmond in McCormick County.
Engineers from the South Carolina Army National Guard's 125th Multi Roll Bridge Company train on their new bridging equipment during annual training at Clarks Hill Training Center in Plum Brance, S.C. June 11-15, 2012.
     
The 125th MRBC is equipped with the Dry Support Bridge System (DBS) and can deploy a 40-meter (44-yard) bridge in under 90 minutes during daytime. The bridge sections are palletized and transported by a 600-horsepower Palletized Load System (PLS).

The US Army has adopted the DSB as its new bridging system and DSBs have repeatedly proved their value in the field with deployment in the USA, South Korea and Iraq.

Just eight soldiers and a single launch vehicle can have traffic rolling across a 46 metre gap in less than 90 minutes using an Dry Support Bridge (DSB). The DSB can be carried on a 39,410kg vehicle, measuring 12m in length, 2.98m in width and 3.985m in height. The launch vehicle has a road speed of 88km/h and a cross country speed of 30km/h. Its approach and departure angles are 40°C and 60°C, respectively.