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Black Lions" ![Infrared Technology allows this Soldier to survey power-related infrastructure](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090305042358im_/http://www.usace.army.mil/249EN/PublishingImages/irsurvey.jpg)
The 249th Engineer Battalion (Prime Power) is a versatile power generation battalion assigned to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers that provides commercial-level power to military units and federal relief organizations during full-spectrum operations. Additionally, the commander serves as the Commandant of the U.S. Army Prime Power School, the institution responsible for the development of Army and Navy power generation specialists, and as Director, U.S. Army’s Prime Power Generator Program, the organization charged with the rapid provision of Army generators to support worldwide requirements.
The battalion consists of a Headquarters and Headquarters Company, two Prime Power line companies (A & B), and the Prime Power School. The Prime Power School graduates the Army’s Prime Power Production Specialist (MOS 21P) following a one-year course that includes math, physics, engineering, and power plant operations and maintenance.
Each line company has a headquarters and four to six platoons comprised of a warrant officer and fifteen non commissioned officers. The platoons are capable of setting up, operating, and repairing complete medium voltage power generation and distribution systems world wide.
Alpha Company, 249th Engineer Battalion(-), consisting of a company headquarters and two prime power platoons, is located at Ft. Lewis, WA. The company's remaining two active component platoons are located at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. The entire company will consolidate at Schofield Barracks in the coming months. Bravo Company, 249th Engineer Battalion is located at Ft. Bragg, NC. Charlie Company, scheduled for activation in 2008, will be located at Fort Belvoir, Virginia. Delta Company, comprised of all reserved soldiers, is scheduled to be activated at Providence, Rhode Island in the coming months.
![Photo of 249th Soldier assessing power requirements following a natural disaster](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090305042358im_/http://www.usace.army.mil/249EN/PublishingImages/disasterrelief.jpg)
Each platoon has the capability to produce approximately 3 megawatts of power at 4160 volts (medium voltage.) The newly fielded individual generator size is 750-840 kilowatts (kW). These medium voltage generators require transformers to convert the voltage to a user level (120/208/277/480 volts).
The battalion offers a variety of services including: electrical power requirement assessment, power production; transformer inspection and test analysis; maintenance and repair of power plants, substations, and government owned or managed transmission and distribution systems, circuit breaker and relay maintenance; infrared surveys, medium-voltage electrical contractor oversight, and training for personnel to operate and maintain prime power distribution and generation equipment.
For mission support or information, contact S3 (OPERATIONS) at Fort Belvoir, Commercial: 703-805-2469 or 703-805-2562, DSN: 655-2469 or 655-2562, FAX: 703-805-2608 or 249eoc@en249.usace.army.mil .