FORT BLISS - Approximately 125 reservists of the 420th Engineer Company completed their tour in Afghanistan and returned to Fort Bliss, Jan. 25, for demobilization processing before returning to their home station in Indiana, Pa.
The 420th Engineer Company performed route clearance missions in Regional Command North. Company commander, Capt. John E. Forte, highlights some of their accomplishments during the deployment.
“We executed over 480 route clearance missions covering over 45,000 kilometers,” said Forte.
In addition to completing their own missions, the unit trained three Afghan National Army brigades over a period of eight months. The company went on over 100 partnered missions with the ANA and validated three of their route clearance companies empowering them to have total control in RC North. “They [ANA] are able to execute route clearance missions on their own now,” said Forte.
To echo on achievements, the company received a Combat Action Streamer. Out of 125 soldiers in the company, one received a Bronze Star with Valor, 22 Bronze Stars were awarded, five Army Commendation Medals with V Device, 106 Combat Action Badges, and four Combat Medic Badges.
“The 420th did an outstanding job and really had a lot of great achievements in the eleven months while we were deployed,” said Forte.
The unit is currently going through the demobilization process on Fort Bliss facilitated by the Directorate of Mobilization and Deployment. The Army standard allows up to 14 days to complete the demobilization process. DoMaD has streamlined the process cutting it down to about 8 to 9 days allowing the soldier to get home to his family. Although the process is shortened, DoMaD ensures 100 percent accountability and satisfaction for all out-processing requirements, so the soldier and his or her family are taken care of.