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ENLARGE
Steve Ranson/LVN photos
From left, Pfc. Randy Jackson, Pfc. Craig Kenison and Pfc. Adam Brayton finalize their work with explosives at one end of the bridge in a training exercise.
A platoon of soldiers skirted the railroad tracks, inching their way to the main bridge that crossed a canal.
Meanwhile, a second platoon trailing behind the first party concealed themselves in the bushes, providing small arms cover in case of enemy attack.
Although this could be a scenario in either Iraq or Afghanistan, the one-day mission took place in Fallon, thousands of miles away from any war zone on the other side of the world.
The Nevada Army National Guard's 609th Combat Engineer Co., spent Sunday executing an operations order to disable a railroad bridge that crossed one of the area's canals near Coleman Road.
“I thought we did pretty good,” said Capt. Nick Chavez, company commander. “We spent only 25 minutes on the first objective.”
He said once the demolition team arrived at the bridge, soldiers immediately went to work, setting up their charges along the rails at each end of the bridge.
Chavez said he was pleased how each platoon established its position on time, likened to dominos falling into place. The company met at the rally point, almost 90 minutes ahead of schedule.
Chavez, an Iraqi veteran, is leading a company that first began recruiting soldiers in March, but this was the first true training mission for the unit.
The 609th, which will not officially stand up as a company until 2011, currently has 43 guardsmen (12 are still at basic training). The goal is to have 100 soldiers within two years.
Since this a combat-designated unit, only men are allowed to serve in the 609th.
“I love these guys,” said 1st Sgt. Shane Jensen of Fallon, a 20-year veteran who served overseas in Iraq with the 3d Armor Division. “It's a family, not a company.”
Of the 32 soldiers who actually drill, Jensen estimates that at least 25 percent are combat veterans.
Jensen said the Fallon area offers unique training opportunities for many units including the 609th.
“It's the only place like it in the state,” he said.
Battalion Command Sgt. Major Robert Boldry echoed Jensen's assessment about the local training areas.
“Take full advantage of Fallon and the training (here),” said Boldry. “There's a lot out here. Fallon is a hidden secret for military training.”
According to the Nevada Guard, its units extensively use government land including Naval Air Station Fallon ranges for training. The Guard and NAS Fallon also operate a small arms range south of Fallon, and the Navy has also built a small town at one of its ranges east of Sand Mountain for urban terrain fighting.
National Guard and other military services have also used the training facilities and buildings at the Hawthorne Army Depot for additional missions.
Pfc. Adam Brayton of Reno said guardsmen are always learning.
“You never stop learning,” Brayton said. “You can't be the best unless you stumble a few times.”
Brayton said the combat engineers have a unique MOS (military occupational specialty) that cannot be found with other units.
“This is the best job you have in the Army,” he said.
According to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, combat engineers “construct/breach trenches, tank traps and other fortifications, bunker construction, bridge and road construction or destruction, lay or clear landmines and general engineering tasks under fire. Combat engineer's tasks facilitate the movement and support of friendly forces while impeding that of the enemy.”
Sgt. 1st Class Justin R. Hurt, unit supply sergeant, said he is very pleased with the progress the unit is making.
“I've been in the Army for nine years, and this is the best group of soldiers I've worked with.”
The unit is seeking new soldiers. If interested, call Jensen at 428-0701.
Meanwhile, a second platoon trailing behind the first party concealed themselves in the bushes, providing small arms cover in case of enemy attack.
Although this could be a scenario in either Iraq or Afghanistan, the one-day mission took place in Fallon, thousands of miles away from any war zone on the other side of the world.
The Nevada Army National Guard's 609th Combat Engineer Co., spent Sunday executing an operations order to disable a railroad bridge that crossed one of the area's canals near Coleman Road.
“I thought we did pretty good,” said Capt. Nick Chavez, company commander. “We spent only 25 minutes on the first objective.”
He said once the demolition team arrived at the bridge, soldiers immediately went to work, setting up their charges along the rails at each end of the bridge.
Chavez said he was pleased how each platoon established its position on time, likened to dominos falling into place. The company met at the rally point, almost 90 minutes ahead of schedule.
Chavez, an Iraqi veteran, is leading a company that first began recruiting soldiers in March, but this was the first true training mission for the unit.
The 609th, which will not officially stand up as a company until 2011, currently has 43 guardsmen (12 are still at basic training). The goal is to have 100 soldiers within two years.
Since this a combat-designated unit, only men are allowed to serve in the 609th.
“I love these guys,” said 1st Sgt. Shane Jensen of Fallon, a 20-year veteran who served overseas in Iraq with the 3d Armor Division. “It's a family, not a company.”
Of the 32 soldiers who actually drill, Jensen estimates that at least 25 percent are combat veterans.
Jensen said the Fallon area offers unique training opportunities for many units including the 609th.
“It's the only place like it in the state,” he said.
Battalion Command Sgt. Major Robert Boldry echoed Jensen's assessment about the local training areas.
“Take full advantage of Fallon and the training (here),” said Boldry. “There's a lot out here. Fallon is a hidden secret for military training.”
According to the Nevada Guard, its units extensively use government land including Naval Air Station Fallon ranges for training. The Guard and NAS Fallon also operate a small arms range south of Fallon, and the Navy has also built a small town at one of its ranges east of Sand Mountain for urban terrain fighting.
National Guard and other military services have also used the training facilities and buildings at the Hawthorne Army Depot for additional missions.
Pfc. Adam Brayton of Reno said guardsmen are always learning.
“You never stop learning,” Brayton said. “You can't be the best unless you stumble a few times.”
Brayton said the combat engineers have a unique MOS (military occupational specialty) that cannot be found with other units.
“This is the best job you have in the Army,” he said.
According to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, combat engineers “construct/breach trenches, tank traps and other fortifications, bunker construction, bridge and road construction or destruction, lay or clear landmines and general engineering tasks under fire. Combat engineer's tasks facilitate the movement and support of friendly forces while impeding that of the enemy.”
Sgt. 1st Class Justin R. Hurt, unit supply sergeant, said he is very pleased with the progress the unit is making.
“I've been in the Army for nine years, and this is the best group of soldiers I've worked with.”
The unit is seeking new soldiers. If interested, call Jensen at 428-0701.
