911th Engineer Company (United States)

The 911th Engineer Company (Technical Rescue), formerly the MDW (Military District of Washington) Engineer Company, is one of two engineering companies in the United States Army that specialize in urban search and rescue (USAR). Its sister Company is the 178th Engineer Company located in Fort Polk, LA and is assigned to the Defense CBRNE Response Force. The 911th is stationed at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, and is best known for its response to the attack on The Pentagon on 11 September attacks. The Company was not approved to engage in rescue efforts. The First Sergeant and Company Commander took responsibility into their own hands to support other rescuers from the area. It was re-designated as the 911th Engineer Company on September 11, 2006, in memory of its historic role in the subsequent recovery effort.

The 911th Technical Rescue Engineer Company is assigned to the 12th Aviation Battalion, Army Air Operations Group, Military District of Washington. The company is modeled after a FEMA Urban Search and Rescue Heavy Task Force. The company is Pro Board certified in Rescue Technician disciplines including Trench Rescue Levels 1 & 2, Structural Collapse Levels 1& 2, Rope Rescue Levels 1 & 2 and Confined Space Levels 1 & 2 as well as certified in Mine Rescue. It regularly trains with local, state, and federal first responders, in the National Capital Region as a valuable contributor to the joint homeland defense organization, the Joint Force Headquarters National Capital Region. The company was on standby during the 2009 Presidential Inauguration. In 2012 the company was equipped with heavy transport and dump trucks.

Unlike other conventional military units, new members must pass through a screening process in which the company First Sergeant screens each soldier.