photo by Sgt. 1st Class Walter van Octen, U.S. Army south
Soldiers from the 284th Engineer Company, 961st Engineer Battalion, 420th Engineer Brigade, an Army Reserve unit from Seagoville, Texas, work alongside members with the Colombian army engineers to dig foundation footing trenches for new latrines at a school construstion site during Beyond the Horizon in Achiote, Panama.
with the 284th, explained that they are on alert for an upcoming deployment, so this type of training is vital. “There are plenty of opportunities for the lower enlisted to lead,” said Zilka, a Little Falls, Minn., resident. BTH-Panama and the Outlaws’ effects will be lasting. At the end of BTH-Panama, Escobal’s health clinic will receive additional exam rooms and a dormitory for the workers, along with a cover for the basketball court at the secondary school. Achiote will receive a new health clinic and lavatories for the school. “The Soldiers are excited to have a great impact on the village,” said Capt. Michael Coyle, 284th company commander, who is from Dallas. “This is a great opportunity for the Soldiers to work with other nationalities,” said Coyle of his Soldiers, who are working with the Panamanians and an engineering team from the Colombian military. Working to improve the lives of the locals and the chance to improve their skills were important to many of the Soldiers. “I think it’s great that we got a chance to come here,” said Pennington who hails from Corsicana, Texas. “What gives
me more satisfaction is the fact that I was involved in building for the Panamanians. If I’m going to go somewhere and not take anything back, then what’s the point of being there?” Beyond the Horizon is a U.S. Southern Command-sponsored, U.S. Army South-planned and led annual humanitarian and civic assistance exercise. The exercise provides construction and medical assistance to partner nations throughout Central and South America and the Caribbean.
Pfc. Adam Wakeland, a nuclear biological specialist and unit photographer with the 961st Engineer Battalion, talks to a Panamanian man at a market during Beyond the Horizon at Escobal in Colon, Panama.
The exercise generally takes place in rural, poverty-stricken areas and is a major component of the U.S. military's regional engagement efforts. It affords a unique opportunity to train U.S. service members alongside partner-nation personnel, while providing needed services to communities throughout the region. Pfc. Anthony Cerami, a carpentry and masonry specialist with 3rd Platoon, 284th Engineer Company, 961st Engineer Battalion, gets some hands-on experience with a circular saw while making a difference in the lives of the local population.
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