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The weather has changed, and there are snow caps visible on the mountains all around us. In some cases, our soldiers wake to snow on the ground when they walk outside to work now. I think, for all of us, the colder weather is the signal of nearing the end of our time here. For the unit's leadership, this poses a challenge though. We're all very ready to head home; on the other hand, if we lose sight of where we are today and think too far into the future, we're likely to make a mistake or grow complacent. There's no room for that, given how far we've come.
With that in mind, the holiday season is upon us...
As is often the case, I really have no explanation of SGT Barbee. I think we're really going to have to do a better job of challenging him. Or maybe he just really, really loves Christmas!?
Thanksgiving has come and gone. The dining facility did a great job of decorating and with the Turkey Day dinner...
Great food was served, but we also made sure to have a meal of our very own. While not very traditional, having the opportunity to enjoy a home-cooked meal was fantastic. SGT Stewart, SPC Burnett, SGT Holley, and SGT Sturkie (and others I'm sure I've leaving off of the list), put special care into cooking green beans, mac & cheese, bean soup, ribs, and sausage. It was all terrific. If we couldn't be with friends and family at home, the meal we were able to have with one another here was the next best thing.
The Alabama's Adjutant General and Sergeant Major dropped by for a visit last week, and our soldiers were able to spend a few minutes with them. The time they had at FOB Sharana wasn't extensive, but everyone greatly appreciated the fact that they made the time to come all the way here to speak to us.
SSG Bobby James put his masonry skills to work and provided to the Battalion an Engineer Castle worthy of its name and history. I only wish we could take it home with us and display it back in Alabama!
SPC Carillo is very serious about his hammer. He doesn't like it when someone tries to take it from him...
SPC Warnack is very attached to SFC Nalls...
SSG Edmonson is shown here with SSG Richter (left) and SSG James (right) for a photo op. Notice that he's not wearing any type of cold weather gear. Something tells me he wasn't intending on spending a great deal of time outside with them on the project...
SSG Cox takes a few minutes to point out to me all of the work he put into one of our current projects...and waives offhandedly at "the other guys in his way."
Here are the cool guys. It's obvious. SPC Clingan (left), SPC Kindleberger (center), and PV2 Brashier (right)...
PFC Lauderdale (left), SPC Schwarcz (center), and SPC Skeens (right) and their abilities as electricians have been and will continue to be in high demand here...
SGT Mays and PV2 Brashier are actually smiling here (on the inside)...
SSG Cox really, really loves his level...
And these gentlemen (both newly promoted), SGT Popjoy (left) and SGT Oberg (right) really get excited about having nails...
SPC Liverman is just happy to be here...all smiles...
I'm not sure, but it really looks like SSG Franks is guilty of something here...
I say it every time I post updates, but the soldiers in this unit are fantastic. Despite any and every challenge, to include being away from home during the holidays, they're all doing great work. They make me proud every single day.
There are some days you wake up and don't want to get out of bed. On every day, however, we should remember that we're blessed because we can.
Two days ago, while everyone at home was either fast asleep or just waking up, five of the 166th Engineer Company's soldiers were hard at work, helping another unit at a remote Combat Outpost in preparing for the winter here in Afghanistan.
Without warning, two enemy 107mm rockets exploded at their feet. The "kill radius" of these weapons is 195 feet, and severe damage can be expected at distances up to 325 feet. Four of our five soldiers were standing within 10 feet of the detonation; one was within 100 feet.
To say 'thank you' for the prayers we've received is not enough, but it's all I can do today. So, thank you. I have no doubt that, without them, we would have lost every soldier present; instead, all injured will make full recoveries. I would characterize the circumstances as miraculous.
I would prefer to hold off on details, but I want to put a stop to rumors that are circulating:
All family members have been notified and have been able to talk to their soldiers.
Those present:
SFC Shane Shanderson, from Inver Groves Heights, Wisconsin, was the Team Leader on the ground, running our construction operations on site. SFC Sanderson received shrapnel wounds to his legs. He's was flown last night to Germany for additional medical care and will then be transported back to the United States for follow on care.
SGT Robert Smith, from Arab, Alabama, received shrapnel to the back of the head. He has been released from the hospital and will rejoin the unit at FOB Sharana in the coming week.
SPC Michael Clackum, from Hamilton, Alabama, received shrapnel to the back which also caused some internal injuries. He required multiple surgeries here, but this is mainly due to the environment and challenges in preventing infection while in Afghanistan. He was flown last night with SFC Sanderson to Germany where he too will receive additional medical care and then return to the United States for follow on care.
SPC Kyle Thomas, from Madison, Alabama, received shrapnel to the lower back. He has been released from the hospital and will rejoin the unit at FOB Sharana in the coming week.
SPC Seth Leonhard, from Bankston, Alabama, was fortunate enough to walk away with no physical injuries. He flew back to FOB Sharana with 1SG Treece and me this morning.
Within minutes of the attack, we were notified and began passing the information along to the 877th Engineer Battalion. What we heard at the outset was relatively accurate, but we couldn't be certain of the situation until our soldiers were transported for medical evaluation.
We were fortunate that the soldiers were sent to FOB Shank, where our 3rd Platoon is currently working for the 168th Engineer Company, 877th Engineer Battalion. MAJ Jones, the company commander, 1LT Smallwood, the 3rd platoon leader, and every available soldier from 3rd Platoon immediately moved to meet the incoming helicopter carrying our soldiers and were there with them for as long as they were able.
1SG Treece and I arrived in Bagram the following morning, where we were immediately taken to see the soldiers. They were all smiles and clearly well aware of how blessed they are to be alive. The jokes never stopped. We spent the day there, making several visits to check on them, and they continued to be in good spirits until we left them to rest for the evening.
I'm at a loss for what more to say other than we have been and continue to be very, very fortunate. As for the rest of the update...
1SG Bobby Treece was awarded the de Fleury Medal this weekend, which ties into the beginnings of the Corps of Engineers and of the nation. It was the first Congressional Medal struck, if not the first medal authorized.
1SG Treece has been serving in the Alabama National Guard for more than 29 years. When first sergeants are exceptional, their units are exceptional. I have heard time and again, from all levels and from the State of Alabama to Camp Atterbury, Indiana, to Afghanistan, how impressive the soldiers in the 166th Engineer Company are. The unit’s abilities and accomplishments are a result of the leadership of 1SG Bobby Treece. He is its heart and soul. Furthermore, he is the best First Sergeant I have ever seen. He is exceptional and well-deserving of the award. Construction continues at FOB Sharana:
We did have a little fire that needed some Engineer assistance earlier this week, which was provided by the soldiers working here with us from the Arizona Army National Guard's 920th Engineer Company.
Our work at more remote locations throughout Afghanistan continues as well:
Our Winterization efforts are finally coming to a close. Below, some of our soldiers work with the Polish to help prepare one of their locations for the cold temperatures and snow that will quickly be upon us. The International Forces there were so thankful for the work done there that a ceremony was held, where the entire team was awarded the Polish unit's combat patch. 
In local news:
Saks 63, Calera 28 The son of one of our very own, SGT Rodney Sturkey, from Saks, Alabama, helped his hometown football team advance in the Class 4A Playoffs with three interceptions against Calera last weekend.
