Meet Your Defender 2024 Spc. Alyjiah Kalin
205th Theater Public Affairs Support Element
May 7, 2024 | 0:26
Meet Spc. Alyjiah Kalin, a horizontal construction engineer with the 43rd Multi-Role Bridge Company, 20th Engineer Battalion, 36th Engineer Brigade. Kalin was deployed to the Drawsko Combat Training Center, Poland, in support of Immediate Response 24, May 7, 2024.
The Texas-based unit assisted in a wet gap crossing exercise, which facilitates movement of equipment and troops across a water obstacle, such as a lake or river, in a tactical environment. Kalin and his team used the Army’s D7R-Type 2 heavy equipment vehicle to move earth and clear routes in preparation for the crossing. Then multi-bay rafts and ramp structures are set up and able to ferry the items across the water to keep operations moving.
“If you like playing with big Tonka toys, pushing dirt and working outside, it’s one of the best jobs you can get,” tells Kalin.
Kalin, a native of Tampa, FL, is using the experience he gains in the military to plan his future endeavors.
“My grandfather previously owned his own construction company,” he explained. “He just retired and I would love to open my own construction company like him.”
For now, Spc. Kalin is happy doing what he’s doing with his engineer unit.
“At the end of the day, you’re doing what most people wish they could do,” he said.
DEFENDER is a 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 photo by Sgt. Tamie Norris)
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