July 2009 877th Engineer Battalion Newsletter

Perspective

SPC Bailey Bullock
166th Engineer Company
2nd Platoon

I have to start by saying that we are all starting to feel it. We are starting to feel the time going by. We have now been here going on four months and things seem to be slowing down. This seems to be due to the routines that we have formed. We are spending the majority of our time in the same place, with little to no changes in scenery. We are doing the same jobs each day, with small exceptions, and we are doing the same things in our down time. It is a recipe for restlessness.

Given that this is my first deployment, I can't say if this is normal, but I believe it is. I'll dub it the “antsy stage.” It seems to me that it is unavoidable. Nerves begin to get a little frayed. People begin to get under each others' skin. The normal frustrations of the job seem to be a little more magnified. I don't tell you this to cause you to worry, because we are all doing just fine. I want to be honest with you and help you understand what we are experiencing.

It is times like these that a unit needs a boost. We need something to shake us up. Just like any group of people who live and/or work together day-in-and-day-out, the monotony of the day to day becomes grating and change is needed, even if only temporary and small. Even the slightest thing can re-energize the group. It can provide that stimulus that gets you to the next reboot.

I want you at home to understand, again, how important you are to us. As our soldiers come home on leave, you, most definitely, provide the boost that we need. When we get home and get to spend time with the people that we love and love us in return, that truly gives us the strength to come back and finish the job. I know it might sound hard to believe, but we need reminding of what we are over here fighting and working for: you. Even when we are faced each day with the experience of working and contributing to this effort, we can still lose sight of it. As the old saying goes “you can't see the forest for the trees.” You, our families and friends, give us our sight back. You give us our perspective, and that is no small thing. In fact, it is everything. Perspective breeds attitude, and the right attitude is key to a successful mission. Each member needs to have it for the unit to succeed. I thank you ahead of time for the service you provide in keeping our Company on the right path.

First Combat Patches

Ten members of 3rd Platoon, 166th Engineer Company, recieve the Tenth Mountian Division patch as their first combat patch from the 4/25 FA July 4th, 2009 at COP McClain, Afghanistan.


L to R kneeling - SPC Derrick Vincent, SPC Bobby Liverman, SPC Samuel Estep, SPC John Caddell, and SPC Derek Clingan
L to R standing - SPC Bernardo Burkett, SPC Brian Stansel, SPC Reginald Johnson, SPC Joshua Silas, and SPC Dwain Kindelberger

Commander's Update - from July 11, 2009

Now entering our fourth month in theater, the 166th Engineer Company continues with its projects throughout southeastern Afghanistan.

1st Platoon is working on projects focused on FOB Sharana. Their first project, expanding the Brigade Tactical Operations Center, is complete. They've moved on to building a Morale Welfare and Recreation center for Engineer Soldiers as their primary project.

They're also working throughout FOB Sharana to emplace new force protection barriers and build new guard towers, and they are our “go to” platoon for emergency missions in our Area of Operations.

There was a recent attack at a nearby Combat Outpost, which has required 1st Platoon's efforts to rebuild. This has slowed their pace here somewhat, but they're quickly gaining ground. While the bulk of their work has been on FOB Sharana, they've increasingly been asked to do more with less. A good number of the platoon is on leave or preparing to go on leave and they're constantly begged to provide soldiers to build a door, build some shelves, frame and pour concrete, etc., none of which is effort applied any of their tasked projects. On the other hand, lending a helping hand often opens a door for help toward getting our hands on building supplies or toward getting priority on a flight for our soldiers or materials to one location or another. The expectation is that future projects on of the FOB here will decrease and that those throughout the general Area of Operations will increase.

2nd Platoon continues its focus on Winterization throughout southeastern Afghanistan and their work on building FOB Sharana's new Entry Control Point (ECP). Issues related to transportation of the soldiers and building materials remains an issue for us, but we're adjusting and trying new avenues to ensure we accomplish the mission. All assessments were wrapped up a week prior to the suspense, and we're hopeful for providing the same result with the actual construction at each of the locations. 2nd Platoon was the first to be sent out on a mission, and it was a tough one. They built almost two dozen guard towers in southern Afghanistan at an expanding Forward Operating Base, and it required that they do their work in full battle gear (which tends to weigh close to 50 lbs in total). The soldiers were hopeful that they wouldn't have a similar experience at any point in the future, but they're in the same boat when working on their ECP. With rising temperatures, it's a challenge to maintain the same intensity that they're usually capable of pushing. They're doing a fantastic job nonetheless.

3rd Platoon, currently working with the 168th Engineer Company, has completed its work toward building the new Jordanian Combat Outpost and has moved onto another new COP construction project. Their day to day lives have been difficult, given that their living conditions have been austere at best. Washing laundry by hand, finding dust and dirt in every crevice and even in their food, and sleeping on hard cots every night are just a few of the challenges. Given the limited number of vertical construction engineers and increasing pace in Afghanistan, they're already being pushed toward their newest mission. Despite the fast pace, their platoon leader is doing a terrific job of managing resources and priorities to ensure that every soldier receives several days to clean his or her gear, rest, and prepare for the next step. Of course, he is receiving an amazing level of support from his soldiers and NCOs.

Our platoon of soldiers from Indiana’s 1613th Engineer Company have proven to be an invaluable asset to our efforts here. They have become well-versed and play a part in every type of mission we support in Afghanistan. While their focus is on horizontal (earth work) missions, they have provided soldiers and expertise in every vertical mission and also in our ongoing Winterization efforts. They’ve also had the added task of learning to manage, utilize, and work with Local National contractors to widen our capacity. This, to say the least, has been an interesting and beneficial experience. If we had the option of taking these soldiers back to Alabama as a permanent addition to the unit, we wouldn’t hesitate.

The headquarters platoon's focus on supporting all of our fine soldiers is right on track. Most of this effort is managed on FOB Sharana, but there are some that are needed elsewhere. This primarily applies to our medics and supply personnel, who are needed either on mission locations or at Bagram. They too are doing a great job and doing all they can to take care of all of our folks.

All of the 166th Engineer Company soldiers are doing a fantastic job. We're now spread out across the country supporting three different Task Forces, but I continue to receive positive, often ecstatic, feedback from the leadership of those the soldiers have gone to help. The temperatures are now approaching or exceeding 100 degrees at every location, and dust storms and enemy activity seems to be more frequent. Regardless of those and many of the other dozens of challenges we face on a daily basis, the soldiers' quality of work, morale, and efforts never cease to impress.

Winterization

SPC Bailey Bullock
166th Engineer Company
2nd Platoon

I know this may sound a little cheesy to many of you, but I believe the new mission many members of the 166th Engineer Company have drawn is one of honor. Once you hear what it is you may think I'm crazy, or that I could really use some R&R, but I truly believe it. This new mission is one of winterization. We have been tasked with assessing and doing the necessary work on many of the smaller bases in our area to ensure that the troops have what they need to make it through the coming winter with as little problems as possible. I know it doesn't sound very grand when I say it, but let me explain from recent personal experience why I think this.

I have just returned to FOB Sharana from a winterization mission. I can't say where, but I can say that it was on an infantry Combat Outpost (COP). The troops on this base have a straightforward mission: seek out and destroy the enemy and help the local populace as much as they can. This second part comes in the form of such things as helping the locals establish and secure polling sites, meeting with local leaders to help firm up their infrastructure via new schools and new construction, and finding and meeting needs where they can. These soldiers are on the front line with the enemy and with the local people. Now put in your mind the idea that most of the soldiers are under the age of 25; many are already veterans of the Iraq war, and here they are again doing their job professionally and efficiently, often times under harsh conditions. These men are “Soldiers' Soldiers”.

As a soldier myself, I believe if you aren’t on the front line doing the fighting, the next most important mission is helping the ones who are. To me it is a matter of Honor. Those on the front line put themselves in that position and therefore deserve the best that we have when we are working in a supporting role for them. So this is where I found myself, along with the other members of my team, a little over two weeks ago.

Officially, each team sent out is given specific tasks that have to be completed, such as insulating pipes or installing heaters, etc. After these tasks are completed we are at the disposal of the unit there; we can then build them anything they want and need as long as we have the materials.

The team I was a part of had this exact experience. We were tasked with insulating pipes, some minor electrical work (such as installing lights and outlets), and building covers for water tanks so the water doesn't freeze when the snow comes. When we arrived we set to completing those things right off the bat, and we successfully completed them in about five days. It was at this point that we began work on the things the unit there needed in addition to those essential tasks. We were able to raise and cover their generators, build large storage sheds for their fuel and other essential equipment and materials, and do things as small as repairing a dining facility door so that it would shut and lock properly. None of these things were major in and of themselves, but they were all things that were needed. We had the knowledge and ability to do the job.

This is what made my team and me feel honored to have the mission. We got to do work that was truly needed by our fellow soldiers and contribute to them successfully completing their mission, even if it was a minor contribution. This is why we are over here: to contribute to this fight in the best way we can. The winterization missions allow us to see that more clearly. I am proud that the 166th Engineer Company has drawn this mission, and I have no doubt that our teams will have an impact on the units that they serve out in the field.

Pickin' and Grinnin' - 27 June 2009

One thing I've learned, without a doubt, is that soldiers are industrious. If they don't have something and want it, they'll find a way to get it. That rule of thumb certain applies here in Afghanistan. Whether it's getting their hands on needed supplies for a project or finding a way to make music, they'll make it happen. Several weeks ago, Toby Keith came to FOB Sharana to entertain the soldiers here. Shortly after, SGT Bob Persch set out to get his hands on a guitar or two. He was aware of a few soldiers who play, and he wanted to take some time to improve his own abilities. Unfortunately, no one here had a guitar to use. Now they do.


SGT Persch began thumbing through a magazine and locating different retailers, asking for help. He's made a few friends along the way. One of whom, Robin Weber, has made a significant contribution toward filling the request in every way possible. Her business specializes in the sale of fine, acoustic stringed instruments. Offering mainly high end, handmade acoustic guitars, they cater to the discerning musician in search of exceptional tone, craftsmanship, and playability.

Not only has Robin graciously offered to help, she has taken it a step further in starting a program geared toward spreading the word. Visit her website to see what her business has to offer or go directly to the link she's provided for more information about the program, Guitars 4 Troops.

Below are just a few of the instruments sent to our soldiers so far...and a few shots of the happiness she's helped bring to them.

Photos - FOB Sharana Sandstorm - 20 June 2009