Engineers assigned to 588th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infan-try Division, employ an M58 Mine Clearing Line Charge (MICLIC) during a breaching training exercise July 9, 2015, at the Udairi Range Complex, Kuwait. (Photo by Spc. Gregory T. Summers)
By Spc. Gregory T. Summers
3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs Office, 4th Infantry Division
UDAIRI RANGE COMPLEX, Kuwait — Obstacles were no match for the engineers during a breaching training exercise July 9, 2015.
Engineers assigned to the 588th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, employed an M58 Mine Clearing Line Charge (MICLIC) during their breach training at Udairi Range Complex, Kuwait.
“The MICLIC is one of the many assets the engineers have to assist them in accomplishing their mission,” said Maj. Christopher Giorgi, operations officer, 588th BEB. “It provides options to the commander for clearing obstacles standing between us and our objective.”
The MICLIC is a rocket-projected explosive line charge used to clear a path for personnel and vehicles through minefields or other obstacles.
During the training exercise, a wire obstacle was emplaced along the unit’s avenue of approach to an objective, creating a need for the engineers to react. After firing the rocket, extending the 300-foot nylon cord laced with 2,000 pounds of C-4 explosives, and detonating it, there was nothing left of the obstacle.
“The MICLIC was very effective in clearing a path wide enough for our Abrams tanks and other equipment to get through,” said Staff Sgt. Matthew Tucker, squad leader, Company B, 588th BEB.
This system can be launched from a variety of assault vehicles, to include the M1 Assault Breacher Vehicle (ABV) as it was during this exercise. It can also be towed into position and employed using a trailer.
The ABV also has a plow on the front of it, allowing the unit to push through any debris that is left in the way following the breach.
Building proficiency involved the unit not only using the MICLIC during the exercise but also incorporating other equipment assigned to them, to include the M60A1 Armored Vehicle Launched Bridge (AVLB).
The AVLB gives the unit a means to rapidly deploy tanks and other fighting vehicles across craters, anti-tank ditches and other mobility obstacles on the battlefield.
Giorgi said that this is not the first training exercise involving the use of a live MICLIC or AVLB for the Soldiers of the 588th BEB nor will it be the last.
“Prior to deploying, our brigade combat team went through an extensive training cycle at Fort Carson and included a rotation at the National Training Center (Fort Irwin, California),” said Giorgi. “Our Soldiers have had a lot of opportunities to become proficient on all of our engineer assets and will continue to train as we move forward.
Since deploying in February, the battalion has continued building competence and confidence in its Soldiers and leaders by continuously training on core competencies to include weapons qualifications, vehicle maintenance, vehicle operations, obstacle reduction, sustainability and survivability.
“As Soldiers, it is vital to train on our equipment and maintain an expeditionary mindset, as well as work closely with the combined arms battalions we will habitually support as combat engineers” said Lt. Col. Thomas Galli, commander, 588th BEB. “Continually training with our personnel and equipment gives us confidence in our ability to rapidly deploy and conduct any mission, anywhere.”