Lightning Academy project builds skills and partnerships across Army units

By 1st Lt. Robert HoferNovember 20, 2015

Lightning Academy project builds skills and partnerships across Army units
1 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Spc. Prashant Gurung and Pfc. Isaac Jenkins from 3rd Platoon, 643rd Engineer Company, 84th Engineer Battalion, 130th Engineer Brigade, 8th Theater Sustainment Command work on a post for the new planning bays being built for the 25th Infantry Division... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Lightning Academy project builds skills and partnerships across Army units
2 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Engineers from the 643rd Engineer Company, 84th Engineer Battalion, 130th Engineer Brigade, 8th Theater Sustainment Command finish construction on a planning bay at the 25th Infantry Division Tropic Lightning Academy, East Range Training Complex, Haw... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Lightning Academy project builds skills and partnerships across Army units
3 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Spc. Dwayne Williams and Pfc. Kurtis Kwick, from 3rd platoon, 643rd Engineer Company, 84th Engineer Battalion, 130th Engineer Brigade, 8th Theater Sustainment Command, construct the wood frame walls for the new planning bays being built for the 25th ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

SCHOFIELD BARRACKS, Hawaii- Pacific engineers logged more than 4,000 hours, in July and August, toward the improvement of the 25th Infantry Division Tropic Lightning Academy training area.

Two projects were completed using only troop construction and proved to be beneficial training and relationship building opportunities for Soldiers in the 643rd Engineer Company, 84th Engineer Battalion, 130th Engineer Brigade, 8th Theater Sustainment Command.

"I really liked being able to work on a real construction project this soon" said Pvt. Solomon Conley, who arrived to the 643rd two days before the project started. "I got to use what I learned in AIT [Advanced Individual Training] on a real job site and got to learn some tips and tricks from my NCOs [noncommissioned officers] they don't teach you in AIT."

The largest project of the two was the demolition and reconstruction of two planning bays used during the Pre-Ranger and Jungle Warfare courses at the Lightning Academy for the students to conduct briefings before executing missions. Both planning bays feature a wood frame, metal siding and roofing, along with new items such as sand tables and wooden benches.

"This project was a good chance for me to refresh some construction skills that our recent projects hadn't made me use" said Sgt. Cody Walker, 3rd platoon team leader for the 643rd. "I haven't done demolition of a structure in a while, so it was nice to get a new challenge during the project."

The relationship between the Lightning Academy and the 84th Engineer Battalion has resulted in several mutually beneficial projects over the years. Last fall, the engineers renovated the headquarters building of the Lightning Academy and constructed helicopter mock-ups to support the Lightning Academy's Air Assault School.

"We've been fortunate to have Lightning Academy work with us through the years to do several projects" said 1st Lt. Robert Hofer, 3rd platoon leader in the 643rd. "A lot of mainland engineer units don't have a partner like Lightning Academy that provides us with some awesome projects."

Hofer and his platoon worked through multiple problem sets, as well as extreme weather conditions, to not only complete the project but to finish before their stated project end date.

The partnership between Schofield Barracks' two biggest units, the 8th TSC and the 25th ID, has resulted in numerous training opportunities for both units.

"Lightning Academy is always excited to allow units training opportunities," said 1st Lt. Dave Forrester, the Lightning Academy executive officer. "The fact that this opportunity for the 84th resulted in two new Pre-Ranger planning bays was mutually beneficial. We look forward to working with the 84th engineers in future troop construction projects during fiscal year 16," said Forrester.

Related Links:

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