By Staff Sgt. Ange Desinor
FORT CARSON, Colo. — Soldiers conduct route reconnaissance training and react to simulated enemy fire during Engineering Qualification Table X training April 12, 2018. The 588th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, completed a weeklong exercise to validate and maintain readiness April 9-13, 2018. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Ange Desinor)
3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs Office, 4th Infantry Division
FORT CARSON, Colo. — Combat Engineers with 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, completed a weeklong exercise to validate and maintain readiness April 9-13, 2018.
The Engineer Qualification Training X is a culmination training exercise designed to enhance 588th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 3rd ABCT, Soldiers’ proficiency in maintaining maneuverability, counter-mobility or construction; emplacement of obstacles to inhibit movement of an enemy force; and survivability operations.
“The training focused on combat engineer tasks and set conditions for subsequent qualification tables and platoon live fires,” said Capt. Brian Webber, plans officer in charge, 588th BEB.
The platoons rotated through five tactical scenarios throughout the week which included mechanical and explosive breach operations. Mechanical breaches involve the use of tools and brute force to enter a door while explosive breaches use constructed charges. The engineers also conducted situational training exercise lanes, a squad-live fire exercise, and route improvement and reconnaissance to ensure proficiency in basic engineering skills.
FORT CARSON, Colo. — Sgt. Beau Humphrey, combat engineer, 588th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, reacts to simulated enemy fire while conducting route reconnaissance during Engineering Qualification Table X training April 12, 2018. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Ange Desinor)
Company commanders served as the evaluators to certify platoons and identify shortfall areas for follow-on training.
“The training helped increase lethality for our combat arms battalions by providing certified engineers to their company combined arms training,” said Webber.
The training was essential for developing junior Soldiers in the unit, said Sgt. Beau Humphrey, combat engineer, 588th BEB.
“We have a lot of new Soldiers,” said Humphrey. “Training with a challenging environment will set them up for success down the road and make them more mission ready. I feel that it (the training) brought a lot of camaraderie, team work and motivation.”
Sapper platoons are scheduled to conduct certification training during upcoming Engineer Qualification Tables XI and XII.
FORT CARSON, Colo. — Staff Sgt. Jose Franco, squad leader, and Pvt. Colton Hill, gunner, both with Company A, 588th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, ensure a weapon is clear after conducting route reconnaissance during Engineering Qualification Table X April 12, 2018. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Ange Desinor)
FORT CARSON, Colo. —Soldiers with Company A, 588th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, secure their equipment after conducting route reconnaissance during Engineering Qualification Table X April 12, 2018. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Ange Desinor)
FORT CARSON, Colo. — Sgt. Julian Luckey, team leader, with Company A, 588th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, adjusts his headset in a Bradley Fighting Vehicle while conducting route reconnaissance during Engineering Qualification Table X April 12, 2018. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Ange Desinor)
FORT CARSON, Colo. — Sgt. Beau Humphrey, left, squad leader, and Sgt. 1st Class Daniel Becerra, platoon sergeant, both with Company A, 588th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, pull security around a Bradley Fighting Vehicle while conducting route reconnaissance during Engineering Qualification Table X training April 12, 2018. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Ange Desinor)
FORT CARSON, Colo. — Soldiers of 588th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, take a knee to make a send a report during Engineer Qualification Table X training April 12, 2018. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Ange Desinor)