MARINE CORPS MOUNTAIN WARFARE TRAINING CENTER, Calif. -- MARINE CORPS MOUNTAIN WARFARE TRAINING CENTER, Calif. – Marines with Company B, 7th Engineer Support Battalion, 1st Marine Logistics Group, I Marine Expeditionary Force, reinforced a bailey bridge at U.S. Marine Corps Mountain Warfare Training Center (MWTC), Bridgeport, California, Aug. 28, 2020.
The Marines lifted and inserted three bridge transoms to support the load of the bridge using a Military All-terrain Crane (MAC-50).
“The bridge was reinforced to withstand the load of military vehicles,” said Cpl. Jose Puga, squad leader of 1st platoon, Co. B. “Beforehand, vehicles would have to drive around the mountain. Our efforts will help support any future exercises by making it more safe and efficient to transport Marines and equipment.”
The standard implemented for the repairs came from the commandant’s vision for Force Design, which consists of shifting from standard bridging to nonstandard bridging. Nonstandard bridges are constructed using a variety of raw materials including concrete, timber and steel beams, among other materials.
“We are now focused on non-standard bridging,” said Lt. Jared Swart, platoon commander, 1st platoon, Co. B. “Nonstandard bridging allows for more flexibility, because now any platoon can conduct bridging operations.”
Plans to make repairs on another bridge are currently pending due to the fires occurring in California.