This combat engineer’s demolition knife had been heavily rusted and worn. Corrosion covered the blade and fittings after years of neglect. Careful cleaning revealed strong steel beneath the oxidation.

BOISE, Idaho – “Basically, we’re infantry with explosives,” said Staff Sgt. Codey Johnson, a combat engineer and squad leader with the 833rd Engineer Company based in Ottumwa, Iowa. In June, the Iowa ...

Combat Engineers are a squad of specialized infantry trained in explosives removal, demolition, construction, fieldcraft, and other support activities. They are not trained combat troops, although ...