River masters piece it together like a puzzle

By Staff Sgt. Carrie CastilloAugust 6, 2015

Taking the river by boat, bay and bridge
1 / 32 Show Caption + Hide Caption – A radio transmission operator communicates with other units staged along the Arkansas River from inside an armored personnel carrier during Operation River Assault 2015, a bridging training exercise involving Army Engineers from the Army Reserve and ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Taking the river by boat, bay and bridge
2 / 32 Show Caption + Hide Caption – An Army Reserve combat engineer from the 364th Engineer Company (Sapper), out of Dodge City, Kan., jumps out of a CH-47 Chinook helicopter flown by Bravo Company, 7th Battalion, 158th Aviation Regiment, out of Fort Hood, Texas, during Operation River... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Taking the river by boat, bay and bridge
3 / 32 Show Caption + Hide Caption – A CH-47 Chinook helicopter flown by Bravo Company, 7th Battalion, 158th Aviation Regiment, out of Fort Hood, Texas, carries an improved ribbon bridge bay to the Arkansas River during Operation River Assault 2015, a bridging training exercise involvin... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Taking the river by boat, bay and bridge
4 / 32 Show Caption + Hide Caption – A CH-47 Chinook flown by Bravo Company, 7th Battalion, 158th Aviation Regiment, out of Fort Hood, Texas, releases an improved ribbon bridge bay on the Arkansas River during Operation River Assault 2015, a bridging training exercise involving Army Eng... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Taking the river by boat, bay and bridge
5 / 32 Show Caption + Hide Caption – An M1977 Common Bridge Transporter lowers an improved ribbon bridge bay into the Arkansas River during Operation River Assault 2015, a bridging training exercise involving Army Engineers from the Army Reserve and active duty and other support element... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Taking the river by boat, bay and bridge
6 / 32 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Pfc. Husni Ayesh, from Greenville, N.C., a bridge crew member for the 310th Engineer Company (Multi-Role Bridge), out of Fort A.P. Hill, rides on an MK2 bridge erection boat in the early morning of Operation River Assault 2015, a bridging training ex... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Taking the river by boat, bay and bridge
7 / 32 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Pfc. Husni Ayesh, from Greenville, N.C., a bridge crew member for the 310th Engineer Company (Multi-Role Bridge), out of Fort A.P. Hill, rides on an MK2 bridge erection boat in the early morning of Operation River Assault 2015, a bridging training ex... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Taking the river by boat, bay and bridge
8 / 32 Show Caption + Hide Caption – The water of the Arkansas River forms waves and foam as boats pass each other to build a floating bridge during Operation River Assault 2015, a bridging training exercise involving Army Engineers and other support elements at Fort Chaffee, Ark., Aug.... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Taking the river by boat, bay and bridge
9 / 32 Show Caption + Hide Caption – A CH-47 Chinook flown by Bravo Company, 7th Battalion, 158th Aviation Regiment, out of Fort Hood, Texas, carries an improved ribbon bridge bay to the Arkansas River during Operation River Assault 2015, a bridging training exercise involving Army Engi... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Taking the river by boat, bay and bridge
10 / 32 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Spc. Ryan Burton, of Richmond, Va., boat operator for the 310th Engineer Company (Multi-Role Bridge), of Fort A.P. Hill, Va., puts on sunscreen during Operation River Assault 2015, a bridging training exercise involving Army Engineers and other suppo... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Taking the river by boat, bay and bridge
11 / 32 Show Caption + Hide Caption – An M1977 Common Bridge Transporter lowers an improved ribbon bridge bay into the Arkansas River during Operation River Assault 2015, a bridging training exercise involving Army Engineers from the Army Reserve and active duty and other support element... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Taking the river by boat, bay and bridge
12 / 32 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Two Army Reserve Soldiers from the 310th Engineer Company (Multi-Role Bridge), from Fort A.P. Hill, Va., jump onto an improved ribbon bridge bay during Operation River Assault 2015, a bridging training exercise involving Army Engineers and other supp... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Taking the river by boat, bay and bridge
13 / 32 Show Caption + Hide Caption – An Army Reserve Soldier from the 310th Engineer Company (Multi-Role Bridge), from Fort A.P. Hill, Va., connects an improved ribbon bridge bay to an MK2 Bridge Erection Boat during Operation River Assault 2015, a bridging training exercise involving A... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Taking the river by boat, bay and bridge
14 / 32 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Army Reserve Soldiers from the 310th Engineer Company (Multi-Role Bridge), from Fort A.P. Hill, Va., work to connect two improved ribbon bridge bays together during Operation River Assault 2015, a bridging training exercise involving Army Engineers a... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Taking the river by boat, bay and bridge
15 / 32 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Water splashes as an improved ribbon bridge bay opens up during Operation River Assault 2015, a bridging training exercise involving Army Engineers and other support elements to create a modular floating bridge on the water across the Arkansas River ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Taking the river by boat, bay and bridge
16 / 32 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Spc. Ryan Burton, of Richmond, Va., boat operator for the 310th Engineer Company (Multi-Role Bridge), of Fort A.P. Hill, Va., looks back as he maneuvers a boat and bridge bay during Operation River Assault 2015, a bridging training exercise involving... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Taking the river by boat, bay and bridge
17 / 32 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Sgt. Matthew Hartman, of Petersburg, Va., Army Reserve Soldier with the 310th Engineer Company (Multi-Role Bridge), grabs a T-bar from a Soldier during Operation River Assault 2015, a bridging training exercise involving Army Engineers and other supp... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Taking the river by boat, bay and bridge
18 / 32 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Two Army Reserve Soldiers from the 310th Engineer Company (Multi-Role Bridge), from Fort A.P. Hill, Va., ride on a floating ramp to lower it onto a shore during Operation River Assault 2015, a bridging training exercise involving Army Engineers and o... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Taking the river by boat, bay and bridge
19 / 32 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Water and bubbles push up through the center of an improved ribbon bridge bay during Operation River Assault 2015, a bridging training exercise involving Army Engineers and other support elements to create a modular floating bridge on the water acros... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Taking the river by boat, bay and bridge
20 / 32 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Army Reserve Soldiers transport an armoured personnel carrier on an improved ribbon bridge to a shore along the Arkansas River during Operation River Assault 2015, a bridging training exercise involving Army Engineers and other support elements to cr... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Taking the river by boat, bay and bridge
21 / 32 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Spc. Trevor Reilly, from Palmyra, Va., an Army Reserve bridge crew member with the 310th Engineer Company (Multi-Role Bridge), cranks a hydraulic ramp to connect an improved ribbon bridge to shore during Operation River Assault 2015, a bridging train... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Taking the river by boat, bay and bridge
22 / 32 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Spc. Trevor Reilly, from Palmyra, Va., an Army Reserve bridge crew member with the 310th Engineer Company (Multi-Role Bridge), is covered in sweat after cranking a hydraulic ramp during Operation River Assault 2015, a bridging training exercise invol... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Taking the river by boat, bay and bridge
23 / 32 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Soldiers from various Army Reserve and active duty executed Operation River Assault 2015, a bridging training exercise involving Army Engineers and other support elements to create a modular floating bridge on the water across the Arkansas River at F... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Taking the river by boat, bay and bridge
24 / 32 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Army Reserve Soldiers from the 310th Engineer Company (Multi-Role Bridge), from Fort A.P. Hill, Va., "baptize" 1st Lt. Shane Yingling, executive officer, into the Arkansas River during Operation River Assault 2015, a bridging training exercise involv... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Taking the river by boat, bay and bridge
25 / 32 Show Caption + Hide Caption – First Lt. Shane Yingling, executive officer for the 310th Engineer Company (Multi-Role Bridge), splashes into the Arkansas River as a traditional "baptism" during Operation River Assault 2015, a bridging training exercise involving Army Engineers and... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Taking the river by boat, bay and bridge
26 / 32 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Spc. Markquise Carey, of Salisbury, Md., laughs with fellow Army Soldiers from the 310th Engineer Company (Multi-Role Bridge), from Fort A.P., Hill, Va., after tossing their executive officer into the Arkansas River as a traditional "baptism" during ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Taking the river by boat, bay and bridge
27 / 32 Show Caption + Hide Caption – An Army Reserve Soldier from the 364th Engineer Company (Sapper), from Dodge City, Kan., holds an M249 squad automatic weapon, and is covered in sand after having helocasted in the Arkansas River for Operation River Assault 2015, a bridging training ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Taking the river by boat, bay and bridge
28 / 32 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Army Reserve Soldiers work to connect two large sections of a modular floating bridge during Operation River Assault 2015, a bridging training exercise involving Army Engineers and other support elements to create a modular floating bridge on the wat... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Taking the river by boat, bay and bridge
29 / 32 Show Caption + Hide Caption – An Army Reserve Soldier uses a specialized bar to connect improvised ribbon bridge bays together during Operation River Assault 2015, a bridging training exercise involving Army Engineers and other support elements to create a modular floating bridge... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Taking the river by boat, bay and bridge
30 / 32 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Multi-Role Bridge Soldiers toss one of their officers into the Arkansas River as a traditional "baptism" after assembling a floating bridge during Operation River Assault 2015, a bridging training exercise involving Army Engineers and other support e... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Taking the river by boat, bay and bridge
31 / 32 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Col. Ralph Henning, of Denver, Colo., commander of the 411th Engineer Brigade, administers the oath of enlistment with three Army Reserve Soldiers from various companies to extend their military service after a modular floating bridge is assembled to... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Taking the river by boat, bay and bridge
32 / 32 Show Caption + Hide Caption – A convoy rides across a finished modular floating bridge assembled by Soldiers from various Army Reserve and active duty units during Operation River Assault 2015, crossing the Arkansas River at Fort Chaffee, Ark., Aug. 4, using improved ribbon bridg... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT CHAFFEE, Ark. - Bridges serve a straight path for troops and vehicles to go from point A to B. But how do they cross a river, from shore to shore, without a bridge to traverse?

Army engineers can build one in three hours or less thanks to Operation River Assault.

The exercise is a training event involving bridging engineers from the Army Reserve and active duty components, with the support elements. Together, four Multi-Role Bridge Companies created a modular floating bridge spanning 47 bays and 327 meters across the Arkansas River.

"The Improved Ribbon Bridge gives the Army a way to provide assured mobility to take on an objective and make it there without much concern from enemy forces," said Capt. Timothy G. Rhodes, of Tucson, Arizona, commander, 502nd Engineer Company (MRBC), headquartered in Fort Knox, Kentucky. "This exercise allows us to have a culminating event and work with Reserve units."

The entire training exercise lasted from July 25 to Aug. 7, at Fort Chaffee, Arkansas, involving one brigade headquarters, two battalions and 17 other units, to include bridging, sapper, mobility, construction and aviation companies.

To build the bridge, engineers use bridge bays dropped in the water by helicopter and lowered from the shore by massive military trucks. The whole process is a calculated one, from the convoy staging to the breakdown of the bridge.

A reconnaissance team determined the best location to cross the river, a horizontal construction company cleared land and residue from the shores, Sappers jumped out of helicopters into the water to provide security, and roughly 400 Soldiers drove boats and pushed bays through the water to make it all possible. As the dropped bays opened in the water, they kicked up huge splashes of water. Boat operators pushed the bays around, maneuvering them into place. Crew members launched themselves from boats to bays, throwing ropes to each other to pull the pieces together like a puzzle. Finally, at the end, the two halves of the bridge came together in the middle.

With all of these pieces fitting together, it would be hard to guess most of the operations on the water were carried out by junior enlisted Soldiers. While higher ranking noncommissioned and commissioned officers on the ground made the plans, specialists, corporals and sergeants ran the show on the water.

"We are short a lot of staff sergeants and even sergeants," said Cpl. Kevin Fowler, an Arlington, Virginia, native and bridge crew member for the 310th Engineer Company (MRBC) from Fort A.P. Hill, Virginia. "Both myself and a specialist were assigned as acting squad leaders for this exercise. We got to come out to the slip and recon the area to figure out how many trucks would fit here at one time."

These two junior enlisted Soldiers were in the leadership role for all truck movement of the bay and boat launches on slip four, a role usually handled by sergeants or staff sergeants.

"It's a great opportunity for them," said 1st Lt. Gregory Bucci, commander, 310th Engineer Company. "We took the Soldiers close to being promoted to a noncommissioned officer, or those that have previously deployed with us and put them in charge. We entrusted them with the plans and orders of execution."

Once all of the bays were deployed and assembled, a small floating bridge was sent from near-side to far-side with two armored personnel carriers. After this mini-mission, more bridge bays were deployed and sent up-river by the bridge erection boats.

Roughly 80 percent of the Army's engineers are in the Army Reserve and National Guard. This exercise reflected that breakdown as the 502nd Engineer Company (MRBC), joined the 310th, 401st and 341st Eng. Companies, from Fort Knox, Kentucky; Fort A.P. Hill, Virginia; Mustang, Oklahoma; and Fort Chaffee, Arkansas; respectively. This cooperation between companies allowed them a "train as you fight" reality, using scenarios and tactics that have applied in most recent combat theaters for more than 13 years.

"If you look at our chest, it says Army, it doesn't say Reserve or National Guard," said Command Sgt. Maj. Cedric L. Richardson, of the 841st Engineer Battalion. "It's important for me to see us all come together and get the job done."