FORT McCOY, Wis. -- Army engineer units upgraded facilities and infrastructure

at Fort McCoy during Operation Essayons 2015.

"Essayons" is derived from the French language, meaning "let us try." It also

is the battle cry of Army engineer units. Operation Essayons brings numerous

engineer units to the installation to train and, at the same time, help

complete construction projects.

Participating units were trained to standard in technical skill sets and

improved individual Soldier deployment readiness. Fort McCoy installation and

infrastructure improvements were completed on time, and to standard, with no

loss or damage to personnel or equipment.

According to Larry Morrow, troop projects coordinator at the Directorate of

Public Works, engineers worked on numerous troop projects, including building

lean-to structures for Range Maintenance, pouring 1.5 miles of new asphalt

along a road near the Bravo 24 training area, constructing a new 30-by-40-foot

storage building near building 2889, and more.

"During Essayons, it's our busiest time for completion of troop projects at

Fort McCoy," Morrow said.

Operation Essayons 2015 took place July 25 to Aug. 8.