The principal mission of the armored engineer battalion is to facilitate the rapid movement of the armored division of which it forms an organic part.
It is trained and equipped to perform the following tasks for the division, but not all of them at any one time.
(1) Reconnoiter and mark roads, trails, and other routes.
(2) Reconnoiter bridges, defiles, obstacles, and areas.
(3) Construct, improve, or reinforce fords, bridges, and culverts.
(4) Construct and maintain floating bridges and ferries.
(5) Transport infantry elements across streams with assault equipment.
(6) Construct, defend, and remove obstacles.
(7) Fight as infantry when required.
(8) Execute demolitions.
(9) Establish and operate water points.
(10) Locate, and, if necessary, prepare advance landing fields.
(11) Assist in the assault of fortifications.
The armored division is characterized by great fire power and mobility. Armored engineers are trained to work rapidly, utilizing power tools and other time-saving expedients, to enable the tank elements to maintain the high degree of mobility without which they lose much of their effectiveness.
EMPLOYMENT
The armored division, with its large number of heavy vehicles operating at great speed, requires much engineer support for maximum battle effectiveness.
The armored battalion is the only engineer organization designed to accompany the armored division in battle.
It is highly trained, both technically and tactically, and is specially armed and equipped to enable it to furnish the prompt support demanded by the tank elements. Hence it must be used economically, and not dissipated on unimportant or unnecessary assignments.
It should be supported closely by other engineer troops, who will take over bridge maintenance, ferry operation, and similar tasks, and release armored engineers to accompany and maintain mobility of the division.
On the march and under average terrain and road conditions, the engineer element is placed well forward in each echelon so that necessary engineer work can be started with a minimum of delay.
In combat, armored engineers are employed in accordance with the tactical situation. By reason of its highly specialized training, missions involving combat should be assigned to the battalion only after carefully weighing the result to be obtained against the effect upon the mobility of the division.
) , and IMHO they would look better in 'normal' 'flying' position. 
