Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Mary Junell | Col. Eric Kohl, (left), commander of the 130th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, receives...... read more read more
MOORESVILLE, N.C. – The 1131st and 1132nd Engineer Detachment, 505th Engineer Battalion, were honored for their service in Djibouti at a welcome home ceremony held here Dec. 8.
The 13-soldier team spent more than nine months in Djibouti in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and the ongoing mission in the Horn of Africa.
In addition to their usual mission, the team recovered $3.1 million in military-owned equipment, assisted the Navy in completing their mission and constructed a landing zone in rural Djibouti.
“Whether it was a mission, training up, or training others, the soldiers saw it done,” said 1st Lt. Lauren Johnson, commander of the team during their deployment. “Our 13-man unit successfully drilled more wells with less resources than a 300-400 man naval battalion.”
The unit also performed assessments, built roads, and abandoned and decommissioned unused wells; protecting the people of Djibouti City from potential contamination of their water source.
The unit’s soldiers also felt proud that they accomplished their mission.
“I believe we did an awesome job,” said Sgt. Thomas Neuens, a mechanic attached to the 1132nd. “Especially with the very few pieces we had to get it done.”
Lt. Col. Christina Moore, commander of the 505th Engineer Battalion, commented that even though the frequency of deployments has slowed, our soldiers continue to support important missions when called upon. Moore said the well-diggers are proof that North Carolina soldiers are always ready, no matter what mission they are assigned.
“The well drillers truly represent the North Carolina National Guard,” said Moore. “Ready when called, reliable to conduct their mission, Responsive to the well-drilling and humanitarian needs of Djibouti and relevant to our nation and Africa.”
To be a ready team, the soldiers of the Mooresville-based 1131st and 1132nd drilled two wells in Indiana in preparation for the deployment.
Many community leaders also came to the ceremony to show their support including the mayor of Mooresville, Miles Atkins, and N.C. Rep. Robert Brawley. Both men spoke at the ceremony and thanked the soldiers for their work in Africa as well as the support they give the community around their unit’s armory.
This is the 1132nd’s second deployment to the Horn of Africa since 2007.
| Date Taken: | 12.12.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 12.12.2013 21:40 |
| Story ID: | 118164 |
| Location: | MOORESVILLE, NC, US |
| Web Views: | 161 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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