FORT BELVOIR, Va. (July 9, 2014) -- The U.S. Army Security Assistance Command delivered four Acrow Roadway Bridges to the country of Nepal through its Foreign Military Sales program.
The bridges are in preparation to support future humanitarian assistance and disaster relief within their region. Shipments of the bridges began in January. Three of the four bridges have been delivered, while the last bridge is expected to arrive in country by the end of this month.
Acrow Roadway Bridges consist of prefabricated modular steel bridge components. These modular bridge components are reusable, easily stored, effortlessly transported and quickly reassembled where they are needed. The Acrow bridges benefits range from being easily customized to the desired length, width and strength, to being durable in the most rugged conditions and no maintenance with the sturdy galvanized steel construction.
A delegation of five Nepalese Army personnel completed the training on how to assemble the bridges at the Acrow Facility, in December of 2013. The Nepalese experienced hands-on bridge assembly of a test bridge, a launching nose-bridge and practiced assembling of all of the Acrow Roadway Bridge configurations. They also practiced assembling a small scale bridge launch to understand the principles and concerns with a cantilevered bridge system.
Nepal's topography lends itself to natural disasters such as landslides, avalanches and increasing climate risks associate with melting glaciers. It is also prone to earthquakes based on the Himalayan Thrust Fault which runs across Nepal. The southern area is also susceptible to flood risks.
According to former U.S. Army Security Assistance Command Nepal Country Program Manager Beth Henderson, these Acrow Bridges will enable the Nepalese Army to provide quick response and relief during national emergencies, which is one of the many objectives of U.S. Army Security Assistance Command's security assistance program.
Related Links:
U.S. Army Security Assistance Command on Facebook
U.S. Army Security Assistance Command on Twitter
Army.mil: Humanitarian Assistance
STAND-TO!: U.S. Army Support to Humanitarian Assistance and Relief Operations
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