A Co 249th Engineer Battalion

• Prime Power Experts: A Company, 249th Engineer Battalion (Prime Power) is the U.S. Army’s premier unit for deploying military-trained power generation specialists who provide commercial-level electrical power in support of military and disaster missions. • Origins in World War II: The 249th Engineer Battalion traces its lineage back to 1943, when it was constituted during World War II to support combat operations in Europe. • Reactivation for Modern Needs: The battalion was reactivated in 1994 at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, to address growing demands for technical electrical expertise in both military and humanitarian operations. • Hurricane Katrina Response: In 2005, A Company played a critical role in restoring power to vital infrastructure along the Gulf Coast after Hurricane Katrina, including hospitals and water treatment plants. • Global Deployments: Soldiers from A Co. have deployed worldwide, including to Iraq, Afghanistan, and Bosnia, providing prime power and electrical assessments for U.S. and allied operations. • Support to the White House: Members of A Co. have supported high-profile federal missions, including providing backup power for Presidential Inaugurations and other National Special Security Events. • Specialized Training: All soldiers in A Company are graduates of the rigorous U.S. Army Prime Power School, where they learn to operate and maintain large-scale power plants and complex electrical systems. • Disaster Relief Expertise: The unit is often among the first responders during domestic emergencies, working alongside FEMA and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to restore power after hurricanes, floods, and ice storms. • Critical Role in Afghanistan: During Operation Enduring Freedom, A Co. soldiers installed and maintained power systems for forward operating bases, enabling sustained military operations in austere environments. • Distinctive Unit Insignia: The battalion's insignia features a gold lightning bolt, symbolizing the unit’s mission to deliver power rapidly wherever needed, and the motto “Build, Support, Sustain.”