State Partnership Program

Video by Sgt. Tamie Norris

20240511 - Drawsko - Wet Gap Crossing B Roll

205th Theater Public Affairs Support Element

May 11, 2024 | 3:02

U.S. Army soldiers from the 43rd Multi-Role Bridge Company, 20th Engineer Battalion, 36th Engineer Brigade conduct a Wet Gap Crossing on May 11, 2024, at the Drawsko Combat Training Center, Poland, in support of Immediate Response 24. A Wet Gap Crossing is a tactical operation that constructs Improved Ribbon Bridges across a water obstacle, such as a river or lake. This maneuver allows the transport of equipment and troops over various wet terrain environments, saving crucial time in wartime scenarios.

DEFENDER is the Dynamic Employment of Forces to Europe for NATO Deterrence and Enhanced Readiness, and is a U.S. European Command scheduled, U.S. Army Europe and Africa conducted exercise that consists of Saber Strike, Immediate Response, and Swift Response. DEFENDER 24 is linked to NATO’s Steadfast Defender exercise, and DoD’s Large Scale Global Exercise, taking place from 28 March to 31 May. DEFENDER 24 is the largest U.S. Army exercise in Europe and includes more than 17,000 U.S. and 23,000 multinational service members from more than 20 Allied and partner nations, including Croatia, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Georgia, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. (U.S. Army Reserve video by Sgt. Tamie Norris)

00:00 - 00:12 - Initial Raft entry at shore
00:13 - 00:26 - Movement of raft segment to construction area
00:27 - 00:22 - Connection of raft pieces and movement to connect
01:02 - 01:10 - Full view of connected raft pieces
01:11 - 01:22 - Soldiers on bridge preparing for loading
01:23 - 02:41 - Abrams load on bridge to cross to other side
02:42 - 03:02 - Abrams exit bridge to other side