Photo By Tulara McCauley | Soldiers of the 315th Engineer Battalion, 301st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, 416th...... read more read more
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FORT BLISS, Texas – One hundred forty-six Soldiers of the 315th Engineer Battalion, 301st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, 416th Theater Engineer Command, departed from the Silas L. Copeland Arrival/Departure Airfield Control Group, East Bliss, to begin consolidation operations in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, here, May 22.
A reserve unit from Camp Pendleton, California, the 315th consists of citizen Soldiers from all over the Western and Midwestern states. The majority of the Soldiers have deployed to combat multiple times. This deployment is a little bit different, as they do not know if they will remain in theater for the full nine months. The duration of their mission is contingent on the troop drawdown timeline from Afghanistan.
Lt. Col. (Promotable) James R. Groves, 315th commander, originally from Albuquerque, New Mexico, lived in El Paso as a boy when his father was stationed here. “It looks a lot different,” said Groves. “It’s expanded a lot more with newer buildings. The house I used to live in isn’t here anymore.” Groves was looking forward to his mission to consolidate bases before turning them over to the Afghanistan National Army and security forces. “Everybody is ready to go,” said Groves.
Groves was confident that he was leaving his family and community in good hands. “We have a really strong Family Readiness Group and have held some (Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program events),” said Groves.
Command Sgt. Maj. Knute K. Weick, 315th command sergeant major, from Chicago, Illinois, also expressed his confidence in the strong family support within the battalion. “Some Soldiers were affected by the recent fires in (Southern California),” said Weick. “They are still deploying with us because they have a support group back (home) to take care of (the families). We need to know that our homestead is safe so we can do our mission.”
The unit also has an attachment of 20 Soldiers from the 321st Engineer Battalion out of Boise, Idaho.
Maj. David L. Lowber, 315th executive officer, explained that the leadership transferred from the 321st to the 315th for deployment. After the transfer was complete they recruited other soldiers to accompany them on this mission.
This mobilization was Lowber’s first deployment from Fort Bliss and he praised the efficiency of the process. Loweber’s belief in his troops’ abilities was absolute. “Our troops are very professional. They will do an excellent job and we’ll succeed with their help, so I’m counting on them.”
As the time approached to board the plane, Lowber expressed his appreciation for his loved ones.
“I’m grateful for all the support I’ve received from my family and friends and community,” said Lowber. “I wish them the best year possible and hopefully we’ll get back to them soon. I want to thank my wife for supporting this mission and caring for our seven children. She’s a superhero.”
| Date Taken: | 05.22.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 06.11.2014 16:04 |
| Story ID: | 132814 |
| Location: | COLUMBUS, OH, US |
| Hometown: | ALBUQUERQUE, NM, US |
| Hometown: | BOISE, ID, US |
| Hometown: | CAMP PENDLETON, CA, US |
| Hometown: | CHICAGO, IL, US |
| Hometown: | FORT BLISS, TX, US |
| Web Views: | 1,550 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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