Over the past eight years in Iraq, U.S. Army engi-neers have continuously adapted and improved their tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTP) to meet the evolving threat environment. This process required both flexibility and innovation by engineers to maintain the edge and support the force. In 2010 as well, the theater engineer brigade had to quickly and successfully adapt to change, yet the challenges were clearly distinct. The strategic and operational focus at the theater level changed from conducting combat operations to advising and assisting the Iraqi forces. This shift was concurrent with a reduction of the overall military footprint and force structure to meet the directed military force cap of 50,000 personnel, which marked the transition to Operation New Dawn. Therefore, the focus of the 36th Engineer Brigade-Joint Task Force (JTF) Rugged-as the theater engineer brigade, changed to developing new strategies for greater efficiency with reduced assets. This article highlights changes in both the approach and mind-set needed by the 36th Engineer Brigade to successfully continue supporting stability operations and to advise and train Iraqi engineers. It will also look ahead to the transition of missions and retrograde of forces out of Iraq.
展开▼
