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1LT Sam Smallwood
166th Engineer Company
3rd Platoon
The members of 3rd Platoon were attached to the A Company, 62nd Engineer Battalion not long after arriving in Afghanistan. We were sent to FOB Shank from FOB Sharana, from which the rest of the 166th Engineer Company and the majority of the 877th Engineer Battalion operates. Shortly after arriving to Forward Operating Base (FOB) Shank we were sent out on our first mission to build COP McClain. My platoon consists of 35 personnel, but we usually never had more than 20 to 25 people out on the COP at any time due to R&R or other small duties or projects that we would have going on at FOB Shank. 3rd Platoon built 4 b-huts (about 20' x 30' in size) for command and control purposes and built 5 guard towers for force protection. We also built 32 tent floor structures for housing and one for a dining facility. We put in 12 to 14 hour days, 7 days a week for the two months we were out on this project. We lived in tents with make shift plywood flooring with no heating or air conditioning in them, sleeping on cots in pretty tight quarters. We took bottle water showers and washed our clothes in 5 gallon buckets. We often ate our meals out in sandstorms which occurred almost every day, sometimes multiple times a day. Getting building material was always hectic and we didn’t have many tools at all to work with when we began, but these guys didn’t let that get in their way as they pushed forward every day. Despite all of our problems with logistics and tools these guys still finished this project ahead of schedule. All were hoping that, once we completed this project, we might get to work on future missions at FOB Shank where we would have 3 hot meals, hot showers, and heated/cooled rooms for a while. That wasn’t to be.
Much like our first mission, our second one was to go out and build Combat Outpost (COP) Sanchez. This mission was practically identical as far as what we had to build and the living conditions we had to endure, but this time we were blessed with a little more experience, the majority of our tools, and a lot of our building material on hand. As a result, we only had to put in about 10 hour days, and we even took an occasional Sunday off. These guys filled what little spare time they had by playing cards, throwing the pigskin around or just watching movies on their computers. Most guys have bought local cell phones so that they're able to keep in touch with their loved ones back home, which is a big moral boost. Just as with the first project we completed, we finished ahead of schedule. Finally, we would be going back to FOB Shank for our next mission.
By this time, our sister company the 168th Engineer Company had came to FOB Shank and replaced A Company. We were happy to see some familiar faces and hoped that life would improve now that we were working with people from our own battalion. The 168th Engineer Company has done a good job of looking after us, but for all they have done we were still not really a part of their unit. That is what gave us the feeling of being "the lost platoon." We were not with our own company, and we never felt like we really belonged to someone. On the other hand, I believe my guys just became more resilient, and I am very proud of how they've performed and of the level of morale they've maintained. We have been lucky in that about half of our platoon has previously deployed, so their experiences have really helped the ones who had not had these experiences in the past. Another positive factor has been SFC Willingham, our Platoon Sergeant, who has already served during a deployment in this role. His leadership and experience has been vital to the success of our platoon, proving himself again to be a very good leader who really knows how to get the most out of his Soldiers. With that in mind, he's also someone who is very approachable and is willing to talk to the guys anytime of the day or night. I know I have learned a lot from him and am very happy that I had him as my Platoon Sergeant.
We have been involved with many mission here at FOB Shank, from building more Guard Towers, to doing various QA/QC projects, to monitoring local national laborers, to going out and doing winterization missions. I currently have a squad out building a conference room for a General out on another FOB. My last group of soldiers will be leaving for R&R this week, after which time we should start our last mission and the task of preparing for our redeployment back home. I just wanted to let the folks back home know what the Vernon detachment has been doing. I have seen articles put on our websites or sent back to papers back home, but I have seen very little mentioned of these fine soldiers, so I just wanted to write down a few lines to let the loved ones of these soldiers back home know what good work they have been doing and that what we have been doing has helped out our fellow soldiers on the front lines in harm’s way every day. We've made their living conditions more bearable. I would just like to end this article by saying these are a great bunch of soldiers and that, again, I am very proud to have been their Platoon Leader. I just can’t wait for all of us to be back home with our loved ones.
Members of 3rd Platoon: 1LT Sam Smallwood, SFC Walter Willingham, SSG Richard Fant, SSG Jay Cain, SSG Mike Lindsey, SGT Mike Wisdom, SGT Craig Pennington, SGT Carlos Flynn, SGT Shawn Gottwald, SGT Lakeesha Hannah, SGT Aaron Crossfield, SGT Jamar Miles, SGT Thomas Welch, SGT Melvin Bradley, SGT Jerry Johnson, SGT James Walker, SGT Joe Brown, SGT Robert Smith, SGT Loyd Franks, SPC Nathan Smith, SPC Augustus Owens, SPC Bernardo Burkette, SPC Derrick Vincent, SPC Samuel Estep, SPC John Caddell, SPC Brian Stansel, SPC Brandi Lawrence, SPC Charlotte Phillips, SPC Joshua Silas, SPC Bobby Liverman, SPC Derek Clingan, SPC Dwain Kindleberger, SPC Reginald Johnson, SPC William Brown and SPC Wessley McClain.
We had a few soldiers get assigned to duties back at FOB Sharana, they were SFC Jerry Nalls, SFC Shane Sanderson, SSG Dennis Stewart, SPC William Dimon, SPC Robert Miller, SPC Christopher Warnack, SGT Loyd Wright and SSG Russell Edmonson
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.
