PRESS Following the 864th Engineer Battalion During Its Time In Afghanistan

Transcription

1 T A S K F OR CE P A CE M A K E R THE PACEMAKER PRESS Following the 864th Engineer Battalion During Its Time In Afghanistan Volume 1, Issue 1 Special points of interest: Pacemakers Uncase Their Colors in Afghanistan (pg 1) Welcoming Baby Pacemakers! (pg 4) Walk to Afghanistan a Success! (pg 5) Inside this issue: Commander s Corner 2 On February 16, the 864 th Engineer Battalion Task Force Pacemaker conducted its Uncasing of the Colors and Assumption of Responsibility Ceremony at Forward Operating Base Sharana, Paktika Province, Afghanistan. In attendance was the reviewing officer, Col. Douglas M. McBride, 593 rd Sustainment Brigade CENTCOM Materiel Recovery Element (CMRE) commander, and Command Sgt. Maj. Eric Taylor, 593 rd Sustainment Brigade CMRE command sergeant major. 28 February 2013 Pacemakers Uncase Their Colors In Afghanistan SGM s Foxhole 3 HHC Regulators Monthly Update FSC Providers Monthly Update 585th Roughneck Monthly Update 617th Trailblazers Monthly Update 84th Trojans Monthly Update The conclusion of the ceremony symbolized the assumption of their responsibility and authority as Task Force Pacemaker -CMRE. During the ceremony, McBride stated the following in reference to Task Force Pacemaker being chosen as one of the engineer units to fall under CMRE operations: "The 864th is the second CMRE engineer battalion to arrive in Afghanistan. We requested this engineer capability in order to meet the base closure and base transfer requirements that must be met in order to close The conclusion of the ceremony symbolized the assumption of their responsibility and (cont d pg 2) Lt. Col. John Henderson and Command Sgt. Maj. Christopher Tipton uncase the 864 th Engineer Battalion Task Force Pacemakers at the Uncasing of the Colors Ceremony in Paktika Province, Afghanistan on February 16 th, symbolizing the assumption of their responsibility and authority as Task Force Pacemaker. (593 rd Public Affairs Office Commander s Corner: A Letter From LTC Henderson, Commander, Task Force Pacemaker It's a great day to be a Pacemaker! On behalf of all the Pacemaker Soldiers, Family, and Alumni, I want to congratulate COL McBride and the 593rd Sustainment Brigade (CMRE) on a very successful tour and for all their steadfast support to the Pacemakers as we deployed to Afghanistan. God Speed to you all as you redeploy and reunite with your Families. We also want to welcome COL Heussner and his 43rd Sustainment Brigade from Fort Carson, CO. We look forward to serving with you. On February 16, the 864th Engineer Battalion, Task Force Pacemaker, conducted its Uncasing of the Colors and Assumption of Responsibility (con t. pg 3)

2 PAGE 2 THE PACEMAKER PRESS VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1 (Uncasing cont d) authority as Task Force Pacemaker -CMRE. During the ceremony, McBride stated the following in reference to Task Force Pacemaker being chosen as one of the engineer units to fall under CMRE operations: "The 864th is the second CMRE engineer battalion to arrive in Afghanistan. We requested this engineer capability in order to meet the base closure and base transfer requirements that must be met in order to close out operations in the Combined Joint Area of Operations-Afghanistan by the presidential mandate. This request for additional unit capability came at a time where the Commander in Chief wanted to decrease unit strength in theater. This took special permission up through the Chief and Staff and Secretary of Defense to gain approval for this critical CMRE asset." Task Force Pacemaker s main focus, while under CMRE command, is to provide engineering support to base closures and base transfers to the Afghan national government. The decision to deconstruct or transfer the forward operating bases and combat out posts is a partnership that starts with a discussion between commanders and leaders at the provincial and district level. It is finalized by the ministers of the government of Afghanistan through the Base Closure Commission. As of December 1, 2012, 370 bases have been transferred and 230 have been closed, according to Col. McBride. This is certainly a historic phase of Operation Enduring Freedom, and the Soldiers and families of Task Force Pacemaker are honored to be a part of the CMRE and this daunting and complex mission, stated Lt. Col. This took special permission up through the Chief and Staff and Secretary of Defense to gain approval for this critical CMRE asset. Deploying, however, is nothing new for the combatproven 864 th Engineer Battalion. This is the fifth deployment for Task Force Pacemaker in the past 10 years, its fourth deployment to Afghanistan, and its third to Paktika Province. During this deployment, Soldiers of Task Force Pacemaker will serve jointly with Airmen from the 11 th Civil Engineer Squadron based out of Andrews Air Force Base, Washington, and the 5 th Civil Engineer Squadron based out of Minot Air Force Base, N.D., in addition to Seabees from the Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 28 out of Barksdale, La. It s been 22 months since the Pacemakers returned from their last deployment to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom where they upgraded and maintained combat out posts and placed miles of concrete barriers, constructed tactical operation centers, bed spaces, and miles of Hesco Barriers, What's ironic about this mission is that the 864th Engineer Battalion built most of the bases on previous deployments that they are now charged to take down. It has truly gone full circle for this combat tested battalion. Under the outstanding leadership of Lt. Col. Henderson and Command Sgt. Maj. Tipton, they are more than up to the task. They are trained, validated, and ready to get after this important mission at a critical time in our nation's history," McBride said during the ceremony. When asked how he felt about the eventual retrograde and removal of buildings and structures his unit constructed during his last deployment with the 864 th Engineer Battalion, 1st Sgt. Raymond Washington, 585 th Engineer Company first sergeant, responded with the following, over a year ago, I remember constructing several checkpoints, bed down areas, and strongholds for combat units in Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom I feel very good about some of the very structures that the 864th Engineer Battalion constructed last deployment being retrograded and removed. I am honored to be part of the CMRE element that will be doing this mission. I am proud to be one of the first units to begin to turn out the lights in Afghanistan. Col. Douglas McBride, addresses the 864 th Engineer Battalion during the Uncasing of the Colors Ceremony on February 16 th. (593 rd Public Affairs photo/ssg Daniel Balda) At the conclusion of his remarks during the ceremony, Henderson stated, Task Force Pacemaker is exactly where we need to be right now to support our Army and Nation, setting the pace for the responsible retrograde of United States Forces.

3 PAGE 3 THE PACEMAKER PRESS VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1 (Commander s Corner cont d) Ceremony at Forward Operating Base Sharana, Paktika Province, Afghanistan. Task Force Pacemaker s main focus is to provide engineering support to the CENTCOM Materiel Recovery Element (CMRE) for base closures and base transfers to the Afghan national government. This is a historic phase of Operation Enduring Freedom, and the Soldiers and families of Task Force Pacemaker are honored to be a part of the CMRE and this daunting and complex mission. This is the fifth deployment for Task Force Pacemaker in the past 10 years, the fourth deployment to Afghanistan, and the third to Paktika Province. The warrior ethos is ingrained into the DNA of this unit. We have diligently worked to train as we fight, and now the time has come (again) to fight as we have been trained. On this tour, we are proud to serve jointly with our Air Force teammates from the 11th Civil Engineer Squadron based out of Andrews Air Force Base and the 5th Civil Engineer Squadron based out of Minot Air Force Base. Additionally, we are looking forward to serving with the Seabees from the Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 28 out of Barksdale, LA who are scheduled to join Task Force Pacemaker this summer. I could not be more proud of our Soldiers and Family members for the perseverance that they have shown over the past 5 months to get ready for this deployment. Thanks to all of you for your hard work, patience, and continued support to our Soldiers. Getting here on short notice was a great accomplishment, but it only marks the beginning of our mission here, which is the beginning of the end of the longest war in our Nation s history. Task Force Pacemaker is exactly where we need to be right now to support our Army and Nation, "setting the pace" for the responsible retrograde of US forces. I am absolutely confident that we will "RISE To The Challenge" we will accomplish our assigned missions, and we will serve with distinction just as our fellow Pacemaker Veterans and Alumni have done for the past 70 years. SET THE PACE!! Command Sergeant Major s Foxhole A Letter From CSM Tipton (Greetings Pacemakers), I want to القلب تحيات منظم ( نبضات first extend my thanks and gratitude to the Family members and friends of Task Force Pacemaker for your support to our Soldiers and Airmen as we embark on this mission to conduct retrograde operations as part of the CENT- COM Material Recovery Element (CMRE) here in Afghanistan. Overall, the preparations for missions and projects in the Area of Operation are going extremely well. It has been a overwhelming effort of all the Soldiers and Airmen working diligently on establishing our combat power. The Commander and I are really proud of the accomplishments of our Soldiers and Airmen as they keep up a positive sense of teamwork and camaraderie. We are also very proud of each and every one of our Soldiers who were selected for promotion and reenlisted over the past few months we had some great Soldiers raise their right hand and recite the oath. Any reenlistment and/or promotion are special and show a commitment to our Army and to the nation. A reenlistment during this period of time with our nation at war, is even more distinctive and shows that our Soldiers knowingly and willing accept the risks and hardships associated with our service. I want to thank all of the supportive Family members of these Soldiers whom have dedicated their lives to this great service. Task Force Pacemaker continues to operate at a high standard and I am humbled to be associated with our team. I consider it a privilege to serve beside our Soldiers and Airmen each and every day. I cannot tell you how our standards and discipline sets us apart from any other organization in the Army. You should be proud of your men and women here, as we continue to make history Setting the Pace! as we did in Vietnam and are doing here in Afghanistan. Finally, I cannot overstate how important your support will be to us all. I hope the upcoming Spring Season will be an enjoyable one for all of you and your children as you can a relax with Spring Break and enjoy the beautiful Washington weather ;-). Pace!) Setيضبط the الوتيرة, يستخدم مثال; يضبط االيقاع ) CSM Christopher D. Tipton (Pacemaker 7)

4 PAGE 4 THE PACEMAKER PRESS VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1 Headquarters and Headquarters Company Regulators! Greetings from the Regulators at FOB Sharana. Since hitting the ground, HHC has been busy setting up the Battalion s tactical operations center and coordinating upcoming missions. We have occupied a temporary area, and are transitioning into more permanent living and working quarters as other units depart country. Our Soldiers are doing well and getting acclimatized to the area and preparing for our future missions. The weather in Sharana has been cold and damp and reminds many of us of Washington. As do all of the care packages Soldiers have been receiving from home. Thank you to the Regulator families and friends for your continued love and support for our Soldiers. Upper Left: CPT Joles and 1SG Wong, HHC Company Command team, uncase the colors of their company during the uncasing ceremony on 16 February. Left: SPC Hyden, medic out of HHC, speaks with COL McBride during his visit and tour of the Task Force Pacemaker area of operations. And the Pacemaker Family Expands! New and Expecting Mothers! The Pacemaker family wishes to offer support through the Pacemaker Pregnancy Support Group! Check it out on Facebook! Search Pacemaker Pregnancy Support Group.

5 VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1 THE PACEMAKER PRESS PAGE 5 Forward Support Company Providers!!! The first month of deployment is a crucial time for a unit. It is a time that essentially outlines the basis for future success. Since the Providers have hit the ground in Afghanistan we have ing our area of operations so that we have a solid foundation for future operations. Over the past month, we have made dividends in logistical operations to include the fabrication of half a dozen dump assets utilizing flatracks, and inventories of over 25 million dollars in property and acquiring remote, field feeding equipment. Our accomplishments thus far have truly exemplified our innovative and SFC Wheeler shows off his skills in the agile capabilities, which have in handling the 10K Forklift. allowed us to quickly react and adapt to any situation. With expeditiously worked in establish- each and every new mission, FSC SGT Bell and 1LT Manzano stand in front of the HEMTT PLS. Providers continue to lead the way and set the pace! PROVIDERS!! Pacemaker Families and Friends Walk to Support Soldiers Deployed While Pacemaker Soldiers are deployed overseas in Afghanistan, loved ones are showing their support for their loved ones by walking to Afghanistan. Essentially, supporters of the Pacemakers get together and walk for either a certain time or distance. After each event, the miles are logged and tallied. Companies have a friendly competition to see who can log the most miles. Supporters are even sending in miles from places away from Joint Base Lewis McChord. From all the Pacemakers deployed, thank you for Pacemakers Walk to Afghanistan! all of your support! The statistics are in! Other units: 12 miles FSC: miles 617: miles 585: 78.5 miles HHC: 168 miles Rear D: 2 miles Grand total: miles!!

6 VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1 THE PACEMAKER PRESS PAGE 6 585th Engineer Company Roughnecks!! Roughneck Family and Friends, True to the Roughneck standard, it has been another busy quarter for us in our transition from JBLM to FOB Sharana. Roughneck Soldiers hit the ground running after returning from a well deserved block leave. The first week back, Roughnecks were busy at the range to ensure all Soldiers qualified on their individual weapon systems for the upcoming deployment. In addition, Soldiers completed all mandated training and worked hard to guarantee all necessary supplies and equipment were packed for the deployment. In mid January, the advance party consisting of CPT Lin, SFC Jones, SSG Greene, SGT Molstad, and PV2 Douglas, departed JBLM for FOB Sharana and set the ball in motion for the Roughnecks. These five individuals accomplished a tremendous amount of work to prepare for the arrival of the rest of the company by securing the Roughneck living area on FOB Sharana, the company operations facility, signing for vehicles and equipment, and completing many other mission essential tasks. Back on the home front, Roughneck Soldiers continued to work hard on final pre-deployment tasks. Soldiers and their families were able to enjoy a final four day weekend together for Martin Luther King s Day and then dark and SPC O Quinn fixes a gator. early in late January, Roughnecks said their see you laters to our families and departed JBLM. The Roughnecks had a long journey and encountered many delays from JBLM to FOB Sharana. In Bagram, Roughnecks received theater training. Despite less than ideal weather conditions, Roughnecks stayed motivated and disciplined and, as always, gave their 100% effort to get the most out of the training. After almost two weeks in transit, all of the Roughnecks finally made it to FOB Sharana, our home for the next eight months. Since arriving at FOB Sharana, Roughnecks have remained busy preparing vehicles and equipment for the upcoming missions. In mid February there was an Assumption of Authority ceremony during which Colonel Douglas M. McBride Jr, 593 rd Sustainment Brigade, CENTCOM Material Recovery Element (CMRE) Commander, officially welcomed the 864 th Engineer Battalion into theater. The 864 th Engineer Battalion is the second CMRE Engineer Battalion to arrive in theater to begin the deconstruction process to closeout Afghanistan. Since the 864 th Engineer Battalion is not replacing another unit, there are many preparatory steps which have to be taken before we can break ground and begin missions. 585 th Soldiers have been fortifying the company area to support the missions we are going to undertake, performing maintenance on vehicles to get them up to combat speed, and analyzing our projects and assets. Of note, the Roughnecks will be gaining 2 nd Platoon from 617 th Horizontal Engineer Company led by 1LT Jacobs and SFC Armijo in order to accomplish the full scope of projects on FOB Sharana. SPC Poli, SPC Camunas, and SGT West practicing using a tourniquet. Especially while deployed, the leaders of the Roughneck family are exceptionally grateful for the support of the friends and families of our Soldiers. We know behind every Soldier is a support system who makes it possible for our Soldiers to continue to do great things. We could not have achieved anything without your love and support and we thank you for that. Sincerely, CPT Brandon J. Mackey Roughneck 6

7 VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1 THE PACEMAKER PRESS PAGE 7 617th Engineer Company Trailblazers!! Greetings from Sharana! I am happy to report that the Trailblazer Family is settled in Forward Operating Base Sharana and ready to start our first missions. Over the past couple of weeks the Company has been going through many bases and training events. We spent approximately a week in Manas, Kyrgyzstan where we did some training and acclimated to the new time zone and weather. From there we spent some time in Bagram, Afghanistan where we Most recently, we have been conducting rehearsals and Pre Combat Inspections and Pre Combat Checks (PCI/PCCs) for our upcoming missions. Our Soldiers are also getting familiar on new equipment to include the Mine Resistant Vehicle (MRAP) which is the safest and best vehicle you can have in Afghanistan. Each platoon has received an extremely important mission which they will all be executing in the next couple of weeks. We also recognized some Soldiers for their hard work with Company Coins. SGT Hernandez, SGT Miligy, SPC Duncan, SPC Simmons, and SPC Zornes received Trailblazer Coins from the Company for their outstanding performance and overall team work. Lastly, I would just like to take a moment to say thank you to all the Trailblazer Families. Your enduring and selfless support is what keeps your Soldiers motivated and ready to perform any mission. The Company would not be able to function without your help and support. Please feel free to contact me if you every have any questions or concerns. Trailblazers Clear The Way. CPT Karoline M. Hood Trailblazer 6 On 16 February, 617th Uncased their Colors, officially recognizing the change from transition oriented to mission oriented. Have a Question Regarding Your Soldier s Company s FRG? 617th Soldiers zero their rifles. received additional training and then finally made it to our home, FOB Sharana, where we were met by our Advance Party (LT Kutnink, SSG Braithwaite, SGT Lugo, SGT Berger, SGT Morales, SGT Ballard, SGT Perez, SGT Hernandez, SPC Decirce, and SPC Duncan). The Advance Party did an excellent job setting up the conditions for our Company and we could not be happier with their performance. Family Readiness Support Assistant (FRSA) Karyn Hubbell KARYN.HUBBELL@us.army.mil or th ENGINEER BATTALION FRG LEADERSHIP Senior Advisor: Amy Henderson AMYJOHENDERSON@gmail.com HHC: Rowan Jones HHC864FRG@hotmail.com FSC: Sandra Robinson FRGFSC864@gmail.com 557: Christy Mahn FRGLEADER557@aol.com 585: Stacey Mackey FRGLEADER585@aol.com 617: Holly Phelps FRGLEADER617@yahoo.com

8 PAGE 8 THE PACEMAKER PRESS VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1 The Soldiers, Sergeants, and Officers of the 84 th Engineer Detachment have all finally arrived safely in Regional Command (RC) East, Afghanistan. Without skipping a beat, the team immediately went to work. CW2 Erick Hume (Detachment Commander), SFC Ramon Villa (Detachment NCOIC), SGT Luis Sanchez, SPC John Lampman, PFC Wesley Rivera and PFC Sue Lao flew out to numerous Forward Operating Bases (FOBs) to conduct thorough reconnaissance to provide the steadily arriving Pacemaker companies with clear and accurate information to help accomplish the overall mission of closing the FOB s. Remaining on FOB Sharana SGT Rafael Picon and SPC Joseph Myrum started the important mission of surveying the FOB by block while simultaneously providing the 864 th Battalion with postage pickup and delivery. Approximately one month after the first group arrived SSG John Ingoglia, SSG Michael Sogge, SGT Ryan Swanson, SGT Tabatha Kearney, SPC Geary Boling, PFC Mason Babb and PFC Daniel Burnside arrived in theater. SSG Ingoglia, PFC Babb and PFC Burnside swiftly departed to many other FOBs to conduct their recon of the area. Only a week after returning from conducting recons, a recon team left to conduct the first GPS Survey and base recon. With the rest of the detachment on Sharana, the priorities shifted towards completing all the recon s by block. With the help of the newly arrived Airmen the Detachment was able to complete mission ahead of schedule. Just as the recon crew returned, the Trojans were finally moved in to their permanent quarters. Wasting no time necessary improvements to the living area have begun to improve the Soldiers quality of life. Also acquiring new offices and many computers the team is up and running and fully functional, ready to support the Task Force Pacemaker mission. Trojans survey all types of buildings and structures during recons. As the detachment master driver, SGT Picon has been training Soldiers on the proper way to operate and maintain both tactical and non tactical vehicles. On the sixteenth of February the 864 th Engineer Battalion conducted the Uncasing of the Colors ceremony. This is the second time the Detachment has unfurled its colors in combat and the fifth time the battalion has done so in the War on Terror. The commander of the CENTCOM Material Recovery Element (CMRE) was present and honored two members of the detachment, SPC Lampman and PFC Lao, with the CMRE coin. New missions coming to the Detachment daily, SSG Sogge, SGT Kearney, and SPC Boling will soon be heading to conduct more initial FOB recons. The remainder of the detachment will continue their efforts at Sharana while welcoming SGT Brandon Mangiapane and PFC Damien Francis. All in all the Trojans are on their way to a busy and fulfilling deployment while serving a very important role in an unprecedented Presidential level mission. Set the Pace Trojans! The Trojans play a vital role for deconstruction operations. Based upon their observations, companies can properly prepare for later operations.

9 Building on the Streets of Sharana Facebook: ages/864th-engineer- Battalion- Pacemakers/ The Pacemaker Press is an authorized newsletter for members of the 864th Engineer Battalion Task Force Pacemaker. Contents are not necessarily endorsed by the Dept. of the Army, Dept. of Defense, Skynet, or the U.S. Government. Content is reviewed, edited, and approved by the Battalion Public Affairs Officer (PAO). For questions, comments, or concerns, please contact the Battalion Public Affairs Officer. Public Affairs Officer: 1LT Elizabeth Lewis Shots from Around the Battalion Area Stairs that many Soldiers walk each day Vehicles still need to be fueled! Pulling Guard during the Uncasing Ceremony View of the Sharana Scenery A Platoon Leader stands in front of her platoon, ready to lead.