Does the Future Engineer Force Transition Engineer Units between Offensive and Stability Operations in Ways That Achieve Responsiveness, Versatility, Agility, Effectiveness, and Efficiency

摘要

This thesis assesses the effectiveness of Future Engineer Force (FEF) transitions between full-spectrum operations. The main question is as follows: Does the FEF transition engineer units between offensive and stability operations in ways that achieve responsiveness, versatility, agility, effectiveness, and efficiency. The author addresses the main question by answering five secondary questions: What discrete capabilities do combat and general engineering units bring to the warfighter; Who decides the priority of combat engineering and general engineering capabilities allocation and apportionment; What organizations provide command and control to nonorganic engineer units; Do engineer units possess sufficient strategic and operational mobility to achieve assured mobility in today's contemporary operating environment; and Does engineering unit training adequately prepare engineer units to be effective in combat. The transition to and execution of stability operations during Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) posed significant challenges for the Engineer Regiment. This thesis identifies these challenges and uses them to compare the forces that executed the initial 30 to 60 days of OIF stability operations to the FEF. The following forces were analyzed: 3rd Infantry Division Engineer Brigade; 94th Engineer Battalion (Combat) (Heavy), Attached to 3rd Infantry Division (Mechanized); 1st Engineer Battalion (Combat) (Mechanized), of 1st Infantry Division (Mechanized); 54th Engineer Battalion OPCON to 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment; 54th Engineer Battalion (Combat) (Mechanized) OPCON to 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment; and 130th Engineer Brigade in Support of V Corps. The author found that FEF solutions to OIF challenges were better than the solutions derived by the units that served in OIF. However, the FEF can improve by addressing training shortfalls and mitigating the ramifications of not having an organic engineer battalion commander in each brigade combat team.