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ABOUT 73rd Engineer Company
- World War II Origins: The 73rd Engineer Company traces its lineage back to World War II, where it was originally constituted as part of the U.S. Army’s engineer forces, supporting combat operations with construction and mobility tasks.
- Korean War Service: The company saw extensive action in the Korean War, providing critical engineering support, building bridges, clearing obstacles, and enabling troop movements during major offensives.
- Vietnam War Deployments: Elements of the 73rd Engineer Company were deployed to Vietnam, where they constructed base camps, roads, and airfields in challenging jungle environments.
- Arctic Operations: Stationed in Alaska for much of its history, the 73rd Engineer Company specialized in arctic engineering, including building ice roads, snow runways, and cold-weather infrastructure.
- “Arctic Sappers” Nickname: The unit earned the nickname “Arctic Sappers” due to its expertise in extreme cold-weather engineering and its vital role in supporting U.S. military operations in Alaska and the Arctic Circle.
- Earthquake Response: The 73rd Engineer Company participated in humanitarian missions, including responding to the 1964 Alaska earthquake by constructing emergency shelters and restoring critical infrastructure.
- Global War on Terror Deployments: The company was deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan, where it conducted route clearance, built forward operating bases, and supported coalition operations.
- Bridging Operations: The unit is renowned for its expertise in rapid bridge construction, enabling armored and infantry units to cross rivers and obstacles during both training and real-world missions.
- Joint Training with Allies: The 73rd Engineer Company frequently participated in joint exercises with Canadian and other allied forces, sharing arctic engineering techniques and fostering international cooperation.
- Legacy and Deactivation: The company was inactivated in 2014 at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, but its legacy of innovation and service in both combat and humanitarian operations continues to inspire U.S. Army engineers.