Troops at Camp Bowie have been working this month to build a road around the camp, which brought more than $500,000 in economic impact to the Brownwood area, according to Major Zebadiah Miller, Texas Army National Guard 111th Engineering Battalion.
The weekend of July 18th and 19th, there were 646 soldiers present at the base (Active Duty, Reserves, and National Guard), explained Major Miller. Although several units have departed, nearly 400 soldiers remained at the base working on the project.Captain Scott Vitter explained that the project presented a challenge because the National Guard only allows up to 15 days of training each summer. Because of this, the five week project was organized so that units’ training dates could be staggered and no one would go over the days allowed.
The 111th Engineering Battalion and task organized units worked to renovate and modernize the perimeter road and ancillary road network at Camp Bowie Training Center (CBTC). Work began July 6th and will continue through the project’s completion this week, according Major Miller. The road was being constructed in order to ensure freedom of movement and reduce risk at Camp Bowie Training Center.
According to Captain Vitter, most of the range road had been dirt track which was only accessible by 4-wheel drive vehicles. After the project’s completion on Wednesday, the road now allows access across the perimeter of the camp that is more convenient for training and also allows for emergency vehicles to navigate the camp when necessary.
The Range Road Project at Camp Bowie spanned 28 kilometers of roadway that varied from improved gravel roads that required limited rework to two track ranch roads traversing hillsides and creek beds. The project consisted of cuts and fills to correct grades and adjust the centerline resulting in better sustainability. The project required the installation of numerous improved low water crossings and culverts making the road passable during periods of inclement weather. The project, now complete, makes possible for low profile vehicles such as emergency vehicles to be able to safely traverse the entire perimeter of Camp Bowie on these dirt roadways, according to Captain Vitter. He explained that this allows more effective planning for trainings and allows the camp to take care of their soldiers more efficiently.
“We had a very productive month of training and improving the range roads. We could have continued six more months making improvements at the camp,” said Captain Vitter. “Overall, the 111th was very effective in addressing the key spots that needed the most attention.”
Such key spots included two locations where culverts were constructed along the route. These additions help to prevent flooding in cases of heavy rains in the future, allowing routes to be driven in severe or heavy rains, Vitter stated.
“Overall, this was a successful training event, a great and useful demonstration of teamwork between active duty units from Fort Hood, National Guards and soldiers from the U.S. Army Reserve,” said Vitter. “We were excited to see that happen.”
Pictured above are members of the 808th Engineering Company pouring head walls and wing walls constructed along the route. These walls help to prevent flooding in case of heavy rains in the future and allowing routes to be driving in severe rains.
Below are photos of the work to modernize the perimeter road at Camp Bowie.
About the 111th Engineering Battalion: The 111th Engineer Battalion traces its linage to Company I, 7th Infantry, Texas National Guard. The company was organized at Abilene on 4 June 1917. In October 1917, the company was consolidated with Headquarters Company, 7th Infantry. The new organization was reorganized and designated as Headquarters Company, 142nd Infantry, an element of 36th Division. The unit served in Europe in World War I, earning a campaign credit for the Meuse-Argonne.
Following several re-organizations and re-designations, the battalion was formed again on 1 July 1940 as Headquarters Battery, 1st Battalion, 131st Field Artillery. During WW II the battalion sup-ported operations in both the Pacific and European theaters of war. Elements of the battalion partici-pated in 7 major campaigns as well as Bismarck Archipelago, New Guinea, Luzon, Central Burma, India-Burma, Leyte and Ryukyus.
The battalion underwent several consolidations and re-organizations until 15 January 1968 when it converted and re-designated as Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 111th Engineer Battalion and relieved from assignment to the 36th Infantry Division. On 1 November 1973 the battalion was consolidated with the 342nd Engineer Company and re-organized and consolidated with other engineer units to be Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 111th Engineer Battalion, an element of the 49th Armored Division.
In 2000, the 111th Engineer Battalion spent 6 months at Eagle Base in Bosnia-Herzegovina. Relieved 1 May 2004 from assignment to the 49th Armored Division and assigned to the 36th Infantry Division. The battalion deployed and served in Iraq from August 2004 to December 2005. Relieved 1 May 2007 from 36th Infantry Division and assigned to the 176th Engineer Brigade. The Battalion Head-quarters was deployed to Afghanistan as part of Operation Enduring Freedom from June 2011 through April 2012.
During the initial stages of the project, a bulldozer is used for “grubbing, or clearing vegetation where the road will be built and for widening the existing dirt track in the initial phase of the project.
Water trucks are used for dust abatement. During the initial part of road construction process dirt is spread and watered down, then rolled, creating a greater amount of compaction and more stability to the road.
Surveying the worksite.
Excavation for culverts to be placed along the roadway.
Construction leaders from different units on site, evaluating the construction process at the end of the day.
