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NY Army National Guard engineer Soldiers test skills at Engineer Rodeo in Walton on Saturday, August 10

Media Advisory

Walton, New York (08/07/2024) — Soldiers assigned to the 204th Engineer Battalion will shoot baskets with a front-end loader, and pilot a skid steer through an obstacle course, during the battalion's Engineer Rodeo being held on August 10 at the Walton Armory.

The Battalion has units in Binghamton, Buffalo, Horseheads, and Cortlandt Manor, as well as Walton.

Reporters are welcome to cover the competition.

WHO: 34 Soldiers assigned to the 204th Engineer Battalion, split into 17 teams

WHAT: An event which tests the skills of the battalion's Soldiers in using their mechanized equipment.

The vehicles being used include a 2.5 ton front-end loader, a 10 ton dump truck, a High Mobility Engineer Excavator, a skid steer, a road grader, a Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Truck and M870 trailers.

WHEN: 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Saturday, August 10

WHERE: The Walton Armory, 139th Stockton Avenue, Walton, New York

Coverage Opportunities:

Reporters will be able to capture video and still imagery of the events and interview Soldiers and leaders.

Reporters should contact Major Keving O'Reilly at (518) 944-8966 or Capt. Christopher Monteferante at 914-760-2390 for more information and access to the event.

BACKGROUND:

The Engineer Rodeo:

The Engineer Rodeo tests the skills which the 204th Engineer Battalion drivers and equipment operators need to do their jobs. The battalion's companies specialize in building roads and airstrips as well as buildings.

The events being tested are:

  • Load and dump with the 2.5 ton front end loader and 10 ton dump truck.
  • Dump a basketball into a hoop with the loader on the High Mobility Engineer Excavator.
  • Negotiate a driving course with a skid steer.
  • Back up a heavy truck with a trailer.
  • Load a grader onto a heavy trailer.
  • Use of a radio with proper radio call signs.

The rodeo events will be graded using a point system on the following items, time, proper protocols on radio communication, precision, loading standards and accuracy.

The 204th Engineer Battalion:

The 204th Engineer Battalion is headquartered in Binghamton, with units in Camp Smith Training Site, Buffalo, Olean, Horseheads, and Walton and is assigned 650 Soldiers.

The battalion consists of engineer companies specializing in building roads, engineering support, and constructing buildings.

The 204th Engineer Battalion's companies are:

Forward Support Company in Binghamton

1156th Engineer Company (vertical) specializing in buildings located at Camp Smith Training Site 152nd Engineer Support Company in Buffalo and Olean

827th Engineer Company (horizontal) specializing in roads, in Horseheads and Walton

204th Engineering Detachment (quarry), specializing in producing crushed stone

The battalion has been involved in emergency response here in New York following snowstorms and floods and has deployed companies to Afghanistan, Iraqand Kuwait, and to NATO nations in support of military construction projects.

Media Attachments

A High Mobility Engineer Excavator like the vehicle pictured here will be one of the engineer vehicles members of the New York National Guard's 204th Engineer Battalion will be driving during their Engineer Rodeo on August 10, 2024 at the New York State Armory in Walton.

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