At A Glance: Prime Power Infrastructure Deployment
- Unit: 249th Engineer Battalion (Prime Power), Bravo Company, 2nd Power Station.
- Locations: Cannelton Locks and Dam (Ohio River) and Green River Locks and Dams 1 & 2.
- Tactical Scope: Validated critical electrical switchgear and tested 70+ high-capacity circuit breakers.
- Taxpayer Savings: Cut third-party contractor outsourcing to save more than $500,000 in federal costs.
- Global Footprint: Simultaneously forward-deployed to the Northern Mariana Islands, Fort Hamilton, and U.S. Central Command.
The 249th Engineer Battalion (Prime Power) provides critical, hands-on support through the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) by deploying highly specialized electrical experts to maintain and secure America’s vital water infrastructure.
Recently, Soldiers from the 2nd Power Station, Bravo Company, demonstrated this vital capability by deploying to three critical USACE locks and dams, including the Cannelton Locks and Dam on the Ohio River and the Green River Lock and Dam 1 & 2 facilities. The team tested over 70 circuit breakers, rectified identified faults and validated the integrity of essential electrical switchgear. By utilizing these active-duty technical experts rather than outsourcing the requirement, the Army saved taxpayers over $500,000 in contractor costs while also enhancing Soldier proficiency and unit readiness.
The infrastructure these Soldiers help to maintain is the backbone of regional economic stability and national security. On behalf of the Army, USACE serves as the primary architect of America’s “water highways,” managing over 700 feet of vertical descent across the Ohio River’s vast tributary systems. USACE ensures massive commercial tows can safely navigate the river through an intricate network of locks and dams, facilitating the movement of 53 million tons of cargo annually. Simultaneously, this infrastructure mitigates catastrophic flooding by managing surges from waterways like the Ohio River, which can flow at a staggering 54 million gallons per minute.
The work performed by the 249th for USACE yields mutual benefits, providing essential infrastructure maintenance while giving Soldiers invaluable hands-on experience.
“The team had a wonderful time at Cannelton. It was a pleasure working with their personnel and seeing firsthand how the dam operates,” said Sgt. 1st Class Bryant Shuler, the non-commissioned officer in charge (NCOIC) for the team. “We gained incredible insight into dam operations and maintenance. We are proud of the work we accomplished and look forward to supporting them again in the future.”
The 249th Engineer Battalion (Prime Power) maintains a readied bench of electrical experts uniquely positioned to execute a wide variety of complex missions. Currently, the battalion is forward deployed to the Northern Mariana Islands following the devastation of Super Typhoon Sinlaku; is conducting power plant operations at Fort Hamilton, New York, to support the garrison’s power generation requests; has personnel and equipment operating and staged in U.S. Central Command; and remains ready on the homeland to support disaster response. This highly capable team of Prime Power personnel stands ready to conquer any requirement.
Through this continuous integration of technical expertise, Prime Power Soldiers protect the critical navigation networks that keep global commerce flowing and domestic communities secure.
