Okinawa-based Marines practice building bridges in a pinch

NAHA, Okinawa — Marine combat engineers recently practiced their bridge-building skills at Naha Military Port, demonstrating how to quickly erect a span up to 328 feet long in as little as a half-hour.

With few other options available, the port affords a site for the Marines to maintain their readiness and qualify newly assigned servicemembers, too. The 9th Engineer Support Battalion certified eight more Marines as bridge operators, for a total 13.

For three days, Jan. 29-31, the Marines maneuvered the bridge-erection boat, a small tug-like vessel used to manipulate sections of an improved ribbon bridge into place. Marines also built the bridge during day and night.

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