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Army Bridge Builders: Because Tanks Can't Swim

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The Army is a ground force, but that doesn't mean soldiers can just steer clear of water.

Moving swiftly from Point A to Point B often requires crossing a body of the stuff. Enter bridge builder crew members, like those of the Army Reserve's 652nd Engineer Company.

Two soldiers stand on one section of floating bridge pull a rope held by a soldier on another section.
Linking Sections
Soldiers link together two components to an improved ribbon bridge at Camp Ripley, Minn., July 16, 2022.
Credit: Army Spc. Elizabeth Hackbarth
VIRIN: 220716-A-NN634-1317

These soldiers quickly construct floating bridge systems — called  improved ribbon bridges, or IRBs — when troops, vehicles and other equipment need to cross water or other barriers and permanent bridges aren't around. 

Three boats carry groups of soldiers.
Ready to Build
Soldiers assigned to the Army Reserve’s 652nd Engineer Company sit ready in their boats to begin constructing an improved ribbon bridge at Camp Ripley, Minn., July 16, 2022. The 652nd is one of nearly two dozen engineer boat units throughout the Army and its components.
Credit: Army Spc. Elizabeth Hackbarth
VIRIN: 220716-A-NN634-1052
A soldier strains while manipulating a pole-type device on a bridge.
Giving His All
Army Pfc. Austin Veronen links together two components of an improved ribbon bridge at Camp Ripley, Minn., July 16, 2022. The bridge, Army Reserve’s 652nd Engineer Company, included seven bays: five bridge components and two ramp components.
Credit: Army Spc. Elizabeth Hackbarth
VIRIN: 220716-A-NN634-1261
A soldier manipulates a rope on a boat.
Securing Boat to Bridge
Army Spc. Ashlyn Jelinek secures a boat to an improved ribbon bridge at Camp Ripley, Minn., July 16, 2022. Once the bridge is assembled, boats secured to it push and pull the bridge and its cargo across the water.
Credit: Army Spc. Elizabeth Hackbarth
VIRIN: 220716-A-NN634-1230

Soldiers assigned to the company got the chance to practice the skill at Camp Ripley, Minn., for their annual training, connecting seven components weighing nearly 13,000 pounds each — two ramps and five bridge components — in the Mississippi River. 

They then used the system to ferry an M2 Bradley fighting vehicle and dozens of soldiers across the river. 

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Assembling the bridge components is a sprint of intense, laborious work. Standard assembly time for a seven-component IRB is 23 minutes. Soldiers of the 652nd finished theirs in 17 minutes, 18 seconds.

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(Adapted from a story by Army Spc. Elizabeth Hackbarth, 364th Theater Public Affairs Support Element)

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