Engineers provide training grounds for allies

By Staff Sgt. Felix Fimbres | U.S. Army Reserve Command | July 24, 2017

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Sgt. Alex Head, 390th Engineer Company, Chattanooga, Tenn., moves concreate slabs during Resolute Castle 17 at Cincu, Romania, July 15, 2017. These slabs will be used as firing positions for tanks at the training facility Head is helping construct. The facility will provide Allied forces the opportunity to prepare for potential conflict. The entire operation is led by U.S. Army Reserve engineers, who moved Soldiers and equipment from the U.S. to Romania over a period of several weeks to complete the training facility. Resolute Castle improves interoperability, enhances confidence and security assurance between partner nations, while improving infrastructure, capability and capacity at select locations throughout Europe. (U.S. Army Reserve photo by Staff Sgt. Felix R. Fimbres)

Sgt. Alex Head, 390th Engineer Company, Chattanooga, Tenn., moves concreate slabs during Resolute Castle 17 at Cincu, Romania, July 15, 2017. These slabs will be used as firing positions for tanks at the training facility Head is helping construct. The facility will provide Allied forces the opportunity to prepare for potential conflict. The entire operation is led by U.S. Army Reserve engineers, who moved Soldiers and equipment from the U.S. to Romania over a period of several weeks to complete the training facility. Resolute Castle improves interoperability, enhances confidence and security assurance between partner nations, while improving infrastructure, capability and capacity at select locations throughout Europe. (U.S. Army Reserve photo by Staff Sgt. Felix R. Fimbres) (Photo by Staff Sgt. Felix Fimbres)

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Sgt. Alex Head, 390th Engineer Company Chattanooga, Tenn., moves concreate slabs during Resolute Castle 17 at Cincu, Romania, July 15, 2017. These slabs will be used as firing positions for tanks at the training facility Head is helping construct. The facility will provide Allied forces the opportunity to prepare for potential conflict. The entire operation is led by U.S. Army Reserve engineers, who moved Soldiers and equipment from the U.S. to Romania over a period of several weeks to complete the training facility. Resolute Castle improves interoperability, enhances confidence and security assurance between partner nations, while improving infrastructure, capability and capacity at select locations throughout Europe. (U.S. Army Reserve photo by Staff Sgt. Felix R. Fimbres)

Sgt. Alex Head, 390th Engineer Company Chattanooga, Tenn., moves concreate slabs during Resolute Castle 17 at Cincu, Romania, July 15, 2017. These slabs will be used as firing positions for tanks at the training facility Head is helping construct. The facility will provide Allied forces the opportunity to prepare for potential conflict. The entire operation is led by U.S. Army Reserve engineers, who moved Soldiers and equipment from the U.S. to Romania over a period of several weeks to complete the training facility. Resolute Castle improves interoperability, enhances confidence and security assurance between partner nations, while improving infrastructure, capability and capacity at select locations throughout Europe. (U.S. Army Reserve photo by Staff Sgt. Felix R. Fimbres) (Photo by Staff Sgt. Felix Fimbres)

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U.S. Army Reserve Soldier, Sgt. Travis Snelson, Asheville, N.C., 733rd Engineer Company Greenville, S.C., uses construction equipment to move a pallet of cinder blocks during Resolute Castle 17 at Cincu, Romania, July 15, 2017. Snelson, who owns a landscaping company in Asheville, N.C, traveled to Romania with his unit to help complete construction of a new training facility that will provide Allied forces the opportunity to prepare for potential conflict. The entire operation is led by U.S. Army Reserve engineers, who moved Soldiers and equipment from the U.S. to Romania over a period of several weeks to complete the training facility. Resolute Castle improves interoperability, enhances confidence and security assurance between partner nations, while improving infrastructure, capability and capacity at select locations throughout Europe. (U.S. Army Reserve photo by Staff Sgt. Felix R. Fimbres)

U.S. Army Reserve Soldier, Sgt. Travis Snelson, Asheville, N.C., 733rd Engineer Company Greenville, S.C., uses construction equipment to move a pallet of cinder blocks during Resolute Castle 17 at Cincu, Romania, July 15, 2017. Snelson, who owns a landscaping company in Asheville, N.C, traveled to Romania with his unit to help complete construction of a new training facility that will provide Allied forces the opportunity to prepare for potential conflict. The entire operation is led by U.S. Army Reserve engineers, who moved Soldiers and equipment from the U.S. to Romania over a period of several weeks to complete the training facility. Resolute Castle improves interoperability, enhances confidence and security assurance between partner nations, while improving infrastructure, capability and capacity at select locations throughout Europe. (U.S. Army Reserve photo by Staff Sgt. Felix R. Fimbres) (Photo by Staff Sgt. Felix Fimbres)

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U.S. Army Reserve Soldier, Sgt. Travis Snelson, 733rd Engineer Company, Greenville, S.C., uses construction equipment to move a pallet of cinder blocks during Resolute Castle 17 at Cincu, Romania, July 15, 2017. Snelson owns a landscaping company in Asheville, N.C, and has traveled to Romania with his company to help complete construction of a new training facility that will provide Allied forces the opportunity to prepare for potential conflict. The entire operation is led by U.S. Army Reserve engineers, who moved Soldiers and equipment from the U.S. to Romania over a period of several weeks to complete the training facility. Resolute Castle improves interoperability, enhances confidence and security assurance between partner nations, while improving infrastructure, capability and capacity at select locations throughout Europe. (U.S. Army Reserve photo by Staff Sgt. Felix R. Fimbres)

U.S. Army Reserve Soldier, Sgt. Travis Snelson, 733rd Engineer Company, Greenville, S.C., uses construction equipment to move a pallet of cinder blocks during Resolute Castle 17 at Cincu, Romania, July 15, 2017. Snelson owns a landscaping company in Asheville, N.C, and has traveled to Romania with his company to help complete construction of a new training facility that will provide Allied forces the opportunity to prepare for potential conflict. The entire operation is led by U.S. Army Reserve engineers, who moved Soldiers and equipment from the U.S. to Romania over a period of several weeks to complete the training facility. Resolute Castle improves interoperability, enhances confidence and security assurance between partner nations, while improving infrastructure, capability and capacity at select locations throughout Europe. (U.S. Army Reserve photo by Staff Sgt. Felix R. Fimbres) (Photo by Staff Sgt. Felix Fimbres)

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U.S. Army Reserve Soldier, Sgt. Byron Haynes, 733rd Engineer Company, Greenville, S.C. guides a U.S. Army Reserve Soldier, with hand signals, to move a pallet of cinder blocks during Resolute Castle 17 at Cincu, Romania, July 15, 2017. Haynes, who is a highway inspector, in South Carolina, traveled to Romania with his company to help complete construction of a new training facility that will provide Allied forces the opportunity to prepare for potential conflict. The entire operation is led by U.S. Army Reserve engineers, who moved Soldiers and equipment from the U.S. to Romania over a period of several weeks to complete the training facility. Resolute Castle improves interoperability, enhances confidence and security assurance between partner nations, while improving infrastructure, capability and capacity at select locations throughout Europe. (U.S. Army Reserve photo by Staff Sgt. Felix R. Fimbres)

U.S. Army Reserve Soldier, Sgt. Byron Haynes, 733rd Engineer Company, Greenville, S.C. guides a U.S. Army Reserve Soldier, with hand signals, to move a pallet of cinder blocks during Resolute Castle 17 at Cincu, Romania, July 15, 2017. Haynes, who is a highway inspector, in South Carolina, traveled to Romania with his company to help complete construction of a new training facility that will provide Allied forces the opportunity to prepare for potential conflict. The entire operation is led by U.S. Army Reserve engineers, who moved Soldiers and equipment from the U.S. to Romania over a period of several weeks to complete the training facility. Resolute Castle improves interoperability, enhances confidence and security assurance between partner nations, while improving infrastructure, capability and capacity at select locations throughout Europe. (U.S. Army Reserve photo by Staff Sgt. Felix R. Fimbres) (Photo by Staff Sgt. Felix Fimbres)

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U.S. Army Reserve Soldier, Sgt. Byron Haynes, 733rd Engineer Company, Greenville, S.C. guides a U.S. Army Reserve Soldier, with hand signals, to move a pallet of cinder blocks during Resolute Castle 17 at Cincu, Romania, July 15, 2017. Haynes, who is a highway inspector, in South Carolina, traveled to Romania with his company to help complete construction of a new training facility that will provide Allied forces the opportunity to prepare for potential conflict. The entire operation is led by U.S. Army Reserve engineers, who moved Soldiers and equipment from the U.S. to Romania over a period of several weeks to complete the training facility. Resolute Castle improves interoperability, enhances confidence and security assurance between partner nations, while improving infrastructure, capability and capacity at select locations throughout Europe. (U.S. Army Reserve photo by Staff Sgt. Felix R. Fimbres)

U.S. Army Reserve Soldier, Sgt. Byron Haynes, 733rd Engineer Company, Greenville, S.C. guides a U.S. Army Reserve Soldier, with hand signals, to move a pallet of cinder blocks during Resolute Castle 17 at Cincu, Romania, July 15, 2017. Haynes, who is a highway inspector, in South Carolina, traveled to Romania with his company to help complete construction of a new training facility that will provide Allied forces the opportunity to prepare for potential conflict. The entire operation is led by U.S. Army Reserve engineers, who moved Soldiers and equipment from the U.S. to Romania over a period of several weeks to complete the training facility. Resolute Castle improves interoperability, enhances confidence and security assurance between partner nations, while improving infrastructure, capability and capacity at select locations throughout Europe. (U.S. Army Reserve photo by Staff Sgt. Felix R. Fimbres) (Photo by Staff Sgt. Felix Fimbres)

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U.S. Army Reserve Soldiers Sgt. Travis Snelson, left, and Sgt. Byron Haynes, 733rd Engineer Company, Greenville, Tenn., prepare cinder blocks for transportation to another site during Resolute Castle 17, at Cincu, Romania, July 15, 2017. Snelson, who owns a landscaping company in Asheville, N.C., and Haynes, who is a highway inspector for the State of South Carolina as a contractor, are helping complete the construction of a training facility that will be used by allied forces throughout Europe. The entire operation is led by U.S. Army Reserve engineers, who moved Soldiers and equipment from the U.S. to Romania over a period of several weeks to complete the training facility. Resolute Castle improves interoperability, enhances confidence and security assurance between partner nations, while improving infrastructure, capability and capacity at select locations throughout Europe. (U.S. Army Reserve photo by Staff Sgt. Felix R. Fimbres)

U.S. Army Reserve Soldiers Sgt. Travis Snelson, left, and Sgt. Byron Haynes, 733rd Engineer Company, Greenville, Tenn., prepare cinder blocks for transportation to another site during Resolute Castle 17, at Cincu, Romania, July 15, 2017. Snelson, who owns a landscaping company in Asheville, N.C., and Haynes, who is a highway inspector for the State of South Carolina as a contractor, are helping complete the construction of a training facility that will be used by allied forces throughout Europe. The entire operation is led by U.S. Army Reserve engineers, who moved Soldiers and equipment from the U.S. to Romania over a period of several weeks to complete the training facility. Resolute Castle improves interoperability, enhances confidence and security assurance between partner nations, while improving infrastructure, capability and capacity at select locations throughout Europe. (U.S. Army Reserve photo by Staff Sgt. Felix R. Fimbres) (Photo by Staff Sgt. Felix Fimbres)

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Pfc. Tyler Hutson, 390th Engineer Company, Chatanooga, Tenn., cleans the tracks of construction equipment to prevent breakdowns during Resolute Castle 17 at Cincu, Romania, July 15, 2017. Hutson, who works in the Garden Center at Walmart and lives in Dandridge, Tenn., traveled to Romania with his unit to help complete construction of a new training facility that will provide Allied forces the opportunity to prepare for potential conflict. The entire operation is led by U.S. Army Reserve engineers, who moved Soldiers and equipment from the U.S. to Romania over a period of several weeks to complete the training facility. Resolute Castle improves interoperability, enhances confidence and security assurance between partner nations, while improving infrastructure, capability and capacity at select locations throughout Europe. (U.S. Army Reserve photo by Staff Sgt. Felix R. Fimbres)

Pfc. Tyler Hutson, 390th Engineer Company, Chatanooga, Tenn., cleans the tracks of construction equipment to prevent breakdowns during Resolute Castle 17 at Cincu, Romania, July 15, 2017. Hutson, who works in the Garden Center at Walmart and lives in Dandridge, Tenn., traveled to Romania with his unit to help complete construction of a new training facility that will provide Allied forces the opportunity to prepare for potential conflict. The entire operation is led by U.S. Army Reserve engineers, who moved Soldiers and equipment from the U.S. to Romania over a period of several weeks to complete the training facility. Resolute Castle improves interoperability, enhances confidence and security assurance between partner nations, while improving infrastructure, capability and capacity at select locations throughout Europe. (U.S. Army Reserve photo by Staff Sgt. Felix R. Fimbres) (Photo by Staff Sgt. Felix Fimbres)

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U.S. Army Reserve Soldier, Spc. Jordy Hall, 390th Engineer Company, Chattanooga, Tenn., washes down construction equipment, part of routine maintenance, during Resolute Castle 17 at Cincu, Romania, July 15, 2017. Hall, who works at a Walmart Distribution Center, Greenville, Tenn., has traveled from his home in Greenville, Tenn., with his unit to help complete construction of a new training facility that will provide Allied forces the opportunity to prepare for potential conflict. The entire operation is led by U.S. Army Reserve engineers, who moved Soldiers and equipment from the U.S. to Romania over a period of several weeks to complete the training facility. Resolute Castle improves interoperability, enhances confidence and security assurance between partner nations, while improving infrastructure, capability and capacity at select locations throughout Europe. (U.S. Army Reserve photo by Staff Sgt. Felix R. Fimbres)

U.S. Army Reserve Soldier, Spc. Jordy Hall, 390th Engineer Company, Chattanooga, Tenn., washes down construction equipment, part of routine maintenance, during Resolute Castle 17 at Cincu, Romania, July 15, 2017. Hall, who works at a Walmart Distribution Center, Greenville, Tenn., has traveled from his home in Greenville, Tenn., with his unit to help complete construction of a new training facility that will provide Allied forces the opportunity to prepare for potential conflict. The entire operation is led by U.S. Army Reserve engineers, who moved Soldiers and equipment from the U.S. to Romania over a period of several weeks to complete the training facility. Resolute Castle improves interoperability, enhances confidence and security assurance between partner nations, while improving infrastructure, capability and capacity at select locations throughout Europe. (U.S. Army Reserve photo by Staff Sgt. Felix R. Fimbres) (Photo by Staff Sgt. Felix Fimbres)

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CINCU, Romania — The U.S. Army Reserve is finishing up construction of the Romanian Joint National Training Center in Cincu, Romania that will help improve cooperation, coordination, and warfighting capabilities for allied nations throughout Europe.

“[I’ve seen] a lot of progress in what will probably be the premier maneuver range in all of south east Europe,” said Lt. Gen. Ben Hodges, Commanding General, U.S. Army Europe. “Without the Army Reserve this wouldn’t be happening — the Army Reserve is like oxygen for me.”

The 926th Engineering Brigade has led the movement of Soldiers, both Army Reserve and National Guard, as well as heavy equipment from locations across the south east United States to a remote location in Cincu, in several weeks — coordinating shipment via truck, sea vessels, and rail.

Col. Paul Mattern, Commander, 926th Engineering Brigade, said that this mission has helped train and prepare his units to support active duty elements as quickly as possible.

“We have Soldiers across six states, Resolute Castle gives us an opportunity, in an austere and remote environment, that is unforgiving — if you left something at home you can’t go back, you have to make do,” said Mattern. “We also have units performing Objective Training and Observer Controller Training so when they return home they get a list of improvements and sustains — all soldiers are qualified before they go home.”

The U.S. Army Reserve brought a plethora of equipment to include: scrapers, dozers, front-end loaders and cranes to accomplish the mission. They coordinated with civilian contractors at home, ran the rail head, and worked with Germans to show its soldiers and leaders what it takes to actually mobilize a unit.

Lt. Col. John Haas, battalion commander of the 391st Engineer Battalion South Carolina National Guard, said that Army Reserve and National Guard Soldiers are limited to 29 days in many instances, which means that the mission must be accomplished with a minimal full-time cadre and dozens of rotations. In total, 1800 Army Reserve and National Guard Soldiers will come to Romania and do their part to ensure the success of the mission. Meanwhile, an additional 48 Reserve Soldiers from the United Kingdom will also take part, as well as 78 Romanian Soldiers.
“I’ve been doing a lot of cross training, a lot of things I don’t normally do at home station, that I’m looking forward to bring back home with me,” said Spc. Jonathan Baughn, 926th Engineer Battalion (Forward Support Company) in Birmingham, Al. “I’ve really enjoyed working side by side — it’s an experience I’ll never forget.”

Of course, not every mission is without its difficulties. There have been many challenges facing the operation, from weather to language barriers, however, the coalition managed to overcome them all.


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