[Clam Digger]

Great. But that's not what armies are for. I'd prefer they practiced killing people who want to take away my freedom.

Sounds like great training to me.

[Mr. Silverback]

Bottom time is like time in the air for pilots: How much matters just as much as what you're doing. Time increases competence, period. That's why some of the best fighter jocks in the Guard and Reserve are guys who fly a Dash 8 or a 737 on the weekdays.

And Dan...haven't you heard of the Army Corps of Engineers? Like it or not, this is an Army function in the USA.

[Squawk 8888]

I was thinking the same thing- any mission that involves extensive work underwater makes for great practice.

[samtheman]

Great underwater practice. I agree. It’s not like we’re pulling them from duty in the deserts of Iraq.

[ElkGroveDan]

Sounds like great training to me.

If the mission was "an opportunity for the Army to showcase its skills in coordination and problem solving, I'd agree. But again the article said:

The mission was an opportunity for the Army to showcase its skills in environmental protection.

Again, I question the need for an army's "skills in environmental protection." In fact, an army's duties, quite often run counter to "environmental protection." I fear the day when some future tank commander in a hostile conflict directs his vehicles to avoid protected vernal pools that may lie in the most direct path to an enemy.