Engineers at work on Curaçao and Aruba during Caribbean Engineer
184 Dutch soldiers from the Royal Netherlands Army will be training on Curaçao and Aruba for the next three weeks during the annual exercise Caribbean Engineer. 103 Construction Company of 101 Engineer Battalion is working on their technical skills under tropical conditions and carrying out various activities on defense sites and for the local community.
For the engineers, the annual exercise is an opportunity to train their skills under harsh climatic conditions.
Work on Curaçao
During the exercise, the soldiers are working on various technical projects. On Curaçao, they are expanding the vehicle shelter at Naval Base Parera. They are also leveling the parking lots at the Brakkeput Water Sports Association and improving the two main roads at the Wacawa training area. In addition, the soldiers are installing solar panels on the roof of Forward Operating Base Maduro, also at Wacawa.
Part of the exercise also focuses on the local community. At the Betesda elderly care and treatment center, the soldiers are carrying out various tasks. For example, they are replacing sanitary facilities and lights and improving electrical installations.
Work on Aruba
On Aruba, engineers carry out various activities at the training village from the Savaneta Marine Barracks. In doing so, they optimize the training facilities.
The soldiers are deploying various heavy machines for the work. For instance, in the coming weeks they can be seen with shovels, trucks, excavators, cranes, bulldozers, and vibratory rollers. The use of this equipment allows the soldiers to carry out their work extensively.
With the Caribbean Engineer exercise, the engineers maintain their technical skills. At the same time, their work contributes to defense sites, training facilities, and the local community.
Combat engineers hands on in Curaçao and Aruba during ‘Caribbean Engineer’
Over the next three weeks, 184 Dutch soldiers from the Royal Netherlands Army are training in Curaçao and Aruba as part of the annual ‘Caribbean Engineer’ exercise. Personnel from 103 Construction Company (part of 101 Engineer Battalion) are honing their technical skills in tropical conditions and carrying out various tasks on Ministry of Defense sites and for the local community.
For the combat engineers, this annual exercise offers an opportunity to practice their competence under challenging climatic conditions.
Work in Curaçao
During the exercise, the soldiers are working on a variety of technical projects. In Curaçao, they are expanding the vehicle shelter at Naval Base Parera. They are also leveling parking areas at the Brakkeput Watersports Association and improving the two main roads at the Wacawa training grounds. Additionally, the soldiers are installing solar panels on the roof of Forward Operating Base Maduro, also located at Wacawa.
Part of the exercise is also dedicated to the local community. The soldiers are carrying out various tasks at the Betesda care and treatment center for the elderly, such as replacing sanitary fixtures and light fittings and upgrading electrical systems.
Work in Aruba
In Aruba, operating from the Savaneta Marine Barracks, the combat engineers are carrying out various tasks at the training village, thereby optimizing the training facilities.
The soldiers are using a range of heavy machinery for these tasks; over the coming weeks, they will be seen operating shovels, trucks, excavators, cranes, bulldozers, and vibratory rollers. The use of this equipment allows them to carry out extensive operations.
The ‘Caribbean Engineer’ exercise enables the combat engineers to maintain their technical proficiency. At the same time, their activities contribute to defense sites, training facilities, and the local community.