FORT POLK, La. -- March 24 was a first for many Vanguard leaders as 2nd Battalion, 353rd Infantry Regiment, 162nd Infantry Brigade's leadership observed river crossing operations on the Mississippi River. The training event, facilitated by the 814th Engineer Company, 46th Engineer Battalion, 1st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, was considered by many to be a once-in-a-career opportunity.
"I've been in the Army for 16 years and I've never seen anything like this," said Master Sgt. Hilario Velasquez. "It was a whole lot better seeing this in person than watching some brief or a commercial. I'll never forget this experience."
Lt. Col. Thomas Hanson, commander of 2nd Bn, 353rd Inf Reg, noted that despite the variety of military occupational specialties represented in the battalion, of the 17 Vanguard leaders observing the event, only the battalion command sergeant major (an armor NCO) and the battalion operations officer (an engineer) had previously witnessed a deliberate gap crossing.
"We have infantrymen, field artillerymen, aviators, and even armor crewmen," Hanson said. "But none of them have ever seen or participated in a river-crossing operation. Except for the initial invasion of Iraq, there hasn't been a major river-crossing requirement since December 1995."
The 814th's 1st Platoon, led by 1st Lt. Stephen Ramsbottom and Sgt. 1st Class Stanley Westbrook, conducted the gap crossing exercise. Using bridge erection bays and ramps on either end of the bays, the platoon assembled and maneuvered the rafting object across the river within minutes of the execution order. Despite accelerating currents and simulated "enemy" engagements, the platoon maneuvered elements across the Mississippi with relative ease.
Ramsbottom said he was excited about his platoon's ability to react to unforeseen conditions, but hoped to emplace a complete bridge system connecting both banks of the Mississippi.
"We would have placed a full enclosure, but that would require a second company's worth of equipment to complete," Ramsbottom said.
The tactical field training exercise, the culmination of 10 days of training, rehearsals and preparation, was a combined arms effort involving engineers, infantry, and the 101st Chemical Company, part of the 82nd Airborne Division that deployed from Fort Bragg, N.C., for the event.
"We have been training with the 814th for a week now, and this is my first time conducting such an operation," said Alvarado about her Soldiers' participation. Her smoke platoon provided the obscuration necessary to allow the engineers to safely maneuver their newly assembled rafts across the river and out of view of "enemy forces."
Not only did the Vanguard leadership observe the mission as it unfolded, they also became part of the fight when they crossed the river on an aluminum raft. With the assistance of two boats providing raft control, the entire battalion's chain of command was across the river minutes after they set foot on the flotation device.
The 814th returned to Fort Polk two days later for recovery, having successfully completed all training objectives. As for the Vanguard leadership, their level of military knowledge and experience was significantly enhanced, thanks to the assistance of some engineer bridgers.
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