Photo By Adam Holguin | Brig. Gen. Michael Osburn, standing, commander, 81st Troop Command, briefs Soldiers...... read more read more
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FRANKLIN, Ind. - The 1313th Engineer Company, an Indiana Army National Guard unit, arrived at the Silas L. Copeland Arrival/Departure Air Control Group Airfield Oct. 21 after completing a mission in the Middle East. The unit departed back to the Hoosier state Oct. 31 after completing the demobilization process with the Directorate of Plans, Training, Mobilization and Security.
Brig. Gen. Michael Osburn, commander, 81st Troop Command, came to Fort Bliss to welcome home the unit, a promise he kept when he saw them off just over nine months ago.
“It was a unique mission…almost 160 Soldiers went over there. They were stationed out at Kuwait and had different missions for deconstruction of forward operating bases and different missions in different locations,” Osburn said. “They’ve done a great job.”
First Lt. Timothy Mantsch, acting commander and executive officer, 1313th Eng. Company was proud of the resourcefulness, abilities, and teamwork the company displayed throughout their deployment.
“Overall, everything was very successful. We faced a lot of things that we knew were going to be tough for us,” Mantsch said, “I think we did great. It was a struggle at times, that’s for sure, but we’re a resilient bunch… we’re a very tight-knit unit. I’m glad that we can rely on each other.”
Upon deplaning Brig. Gen Osburn, Indiana state representatives and the command team from mobilization support battalions here at Fort Bliss welcomed each Soldier off the plane, their first steps on American soil in over nine months.
“I know you’re all tired and it’s not over until it’s over. You’ll be with your family and loved ones before you know it. Such a great job well done and welcome home,’ Osburn said during the welcome briefing.
The 1313th Eng. Company was based out of Camp Arfijan, Kuwait and completed over 30 missions throughout Kuwait, some that went beyond their normal scope of services and many with limited resources.
“Yes, we did quite a few different construction directives and built things, tore some things down, built some roads, worked on structures,” said Sgt. 1st Class Dempsey Thompson, headquarters platoon sergeant, 1313th Eng. Co. “We’re horizontal, but we did do vertical work. We picked up some vertical missions as well as the horizontal missions.”
Building up and improving Camp Arifjan and Al Jaber Air Base provided a sense of pride for some in the company.
“It definitely feels like we did something purposeful for the future of Camp Arifjan,” said Sgt. 1st Class Jonathan Kiefer, 1st platoon sergeant, 1313th Eng. Co. “All the Soldiers that will be coming in in the future, making it a better place. I’m sure some of our projects will be there for years to come. And if we come back there in a few years, I’m sure we’ll be able to revisit those projects and see what we left behind.”
As engineers, working with heavy equipment, Kiefer was also pleased with the performance of the unit in regards to safety.
“We brought everybody back with all their fingers and toes and that’s a success,” Keifer said. “It went very well, we accomplished our mission without any major injuries.”
After months abroad and completing the demobilization process here, all Soldiers were excited to return home to the Hoosier state.
| Date Taken: | 11.19.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 11.24.2015 14:52 |
| Story ID: | 182765 |
| Location: | FORT BLISS, TX, US |
| Hometown: | FRANKLIN, IN, US |
| Web Views: | 382 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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