Caribbean Engineer training is underway in Aruba and Curaçao, with 184 members of the Royal Netherlands Army scheduled to work across the islands over three weeks.
Combat engineers train in tropical conditions
The annual exercise gives specialized combat engineers an opportunity to maintain their technical skills in demanding tropical conditions, according to 24ora. Their assignments combine work at defence facilities with projects intended to benefit local organizations.
In Curaçao, the soldiers are expanding a vehicle shelter at Naval Base Parera, levelling parking space for a water-sports association at Brakkeput and repairing two main roads at the Wacawa training area. Other teams are installing solar panels at Forward Operating Base Maduro and completing electrical and maintenance work at the Betesda care and treatment centre for older adults.
Savaneta facilities receive heavy-equipment work
In Aruba, the engineers are operating from the Marine Barracks in Savaneta. They are carrying out several assignments intended to improve the base’s training facilities.
The Aruba work uses heavy machinery including loaders, trucks, excavators, cranes, bulldozers and vibratory rollers. Residents may therefore see military engineering teams and construction equipment working around the Savaneta facility during the exercise.
Annual exercise supports technical readiness
Organizers said Caribbean Engineer allows the combat engineers to practise and retain specialist capabilities while delivering improvements to defence sites, training areas and community facilities on the two islands.
