'50 Boat' bridges the GAP on Fort Leonard Wood

50th Multi-Role Bridge Company conducted a field exercise to emphasize reconnaissance training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, Feb. 9-12.

Soldiers employed new sophisticated reconnaissance kits, known as Instrument Set, Reconnaissance and Surveying, or ENFIRE, to measure and map routes, sites and bridges. A pair of platoons embarked on multiple tactical mounted and dismounted patrols, while a support platoon carried out field maintenance operations.

Troops of 50th MRBC, or "50 Boat" as known among the Soldiers, endured below freezing temperatures while completing over 30 miles of mounted and 15 miles of dismounted, or on foot, patrolling. Unit officials said the high pace of patrols and the use of new equipment kept soldiers motivated throughout the exercise.

"We'd spent a few weeks prior to this [exercise] training with the ENFIRE kit," Spc. Sean Fowler said. "It has so many features to assist us with a reconnaissance; from a laser range finder, digital camera, even a computer and printer to complete recon reports out in the field. It was great to finally see the ENFIRE kit in action out in the field."

Staff Sgt. Rondal Godfrey, a platoon sergeant, was very enthusiastic about the training opportunities the exercise provided.

"It was very revealing to see the importance of dismounted tactical route recons," Godfrey said. "To have just reconed a mile long steep hill ahead of a ford site became instrumental when we received enemy fire and took casualties from [role playing enemies]. The detailed analysis of the route we conducted on the way down was crucial in determining accurately how long it would take us to get our casualties safely back to the Helicopter [medical evacuation] site back at the top of the hill. Great training."

In addition to the reconnaissance missions, the exercise culminated with the emplacement of two dry support bridges, or DSBs. To emplace the bridges requires a 25-feet high, 60-feet long launcher and eight bridging pallets. The sheer size and amount of equipment required all 50 Soldiers from each platoon to complete the mission.

From the bridge build crew, drivers, engineer equipment park controllers and security elements, every Soldier had a job to do. Soldiers like Spc. Chad Kuderer were quick to offer superiors ideas of new ways to improve build time. As with all engineering missions, reducing the time it takes to complete a mission greatly increases the power of the maneuver force.

According to Capt. Matvey Vikhrov, 50th MRBC commander, units such as his have several unique core capabilities. Vikhrov touted the capabilities that the 50 Boat crew can offer, such as the ability to provide up to four DSBs at a time, operate six heavy rafts, build 200-meter float bridges, and conduct and prepare reconnaissance reports for roads, routes, tunnels, bridges, and fords.

"This exercise polished our Engineer reconnaissance skills, tested the ENFIRE in the field environment and increased camaraderie that only comes with time spent in austere field conditions," Vikhrov said.

With the maneuver force crossed, Soldiers began the complicated task of dismantling the dry support bridge.

Unit officials said the mission is never complete until all vehicles, equipment and troops are safely back in the motor pool and a major emphasis of this field exercise was to test the capabilities and limitations of the 50 Boat's equipment.