Marines prove no problem to big

[thedrifter]

Marines prove no problem to big
Submitted by: MCAS Iwakuni
Story Identification Number: 2003911166
Story by Cpl. Dave Boni



CAMP WY WUH ANNETTE ISLAND, Alaska(Sept. 12) -- Combat engineers from Marine Wing Support Squadron 171, deployed to Operation Alaskan Road, have recently found themselves in a sticky situation.

Being tasked with jobs most of the Marines have never performed before, the combat engineers began the first day of operations here in a ditch on the side of the road primed and ready to install a culvert.

According to Gunnery Sgt. Daniel Wolf, MWSS-171 surveying staff noncommissioned officer in charge, a culvert is a round pipe roughly 24 meters in length and is placed under the road. The culvert stretches the entire width of the road and reroutes water so the road does not become flooded when it rains.

"We will be installing one culvert, but because it's so big it is broken down into four pieces," said Cpl. Winfred Murphy, Combat Engineer platoon sergeant. "The project should take us a few days to complete even though this will be the first culvert put in as a platoon."

Before the combat engineers went head on with the culvert, a quick class was given by an Army combat engineer on how to survey the area and correctly install the important piece of the road.

"Cross training with the different services has really taught all of the engineers many things. Although we didn't have the most experience going into the job, the platoon was very excited, and they can handle anything thrown their way," Murphy said proudly.

A beautiful scenery of rivers and mountains eased the pain of the hard work placed in front of the Marines, but as their platoon sergeant said, the Marines were game for anything new.

"This work isn't specific to our military occupational specialty, but it?s great training for any real-life operations we may be involved in later," stated Lance Cpl. Ezra Thom, MWSS-171 combat engineer. ?The scenery out here is something else, and it just adds to the fun of being here."

The project had a few snags in it but the engineers pulled together all their skills and overcame the unfamiliar territory.

"It's unbelievable," exclaimed Spec. Tony Philips, Army combat engineer with the 65th Engineer Battalion, Scofield, Hawaii. "I was so impressed by how hard and efficient the Marines worked. They are all so eager to learn the new material and that motivates me to teach them."

That's just the lasting impression MWSS-171 wanted to leave those around them.

"My Marines go after every job put in front of them. I really don't think there is anything they can?t do," confirmed Murphy.


Sempers,

Roger