Courtesy Photo | Task Force Chaos Commander Col. Charles Schoening of the Texas National Guard...... read more read more
Story by Spc. Valentina Aguilar
863rd Engineer Battalion
Unit Public Affairs Representative
CAMP BUERHING, Kuwait - After nearly nine months, with forces spread across three countries, the 176th Engineer Company assigned to Task Force Chaos finalized their deployed engineer mission during their Transfer of Authority Ceremony, Dec. 12, 2016.
The 176th En. Co. of the Washington National Guard arrived in Kuwait in support of Operation Inherent Resolve in mid-April 2016, under the 863rd Engineer Battalion a U.S. Army Reserve unit based in Darien, Ill.
“Our mission on this deployment was to construct all vertical force protection, and life support throughout the entire area of operation in Iraq,” said Capt. Brandon Myers, commander, 176th En. Co. and native of Snohomish, Wash.
The 176th En. Co. is a vertical engineer unit which provides construction in the development of base camps and constructs, repairs, and maintains facilities and infrastructures.
One of their most notable projects during their deployment included the construction of the Multi-National Joint Operations Center at Task Force Al-Taqaddum, which served as a vital resource for coalition and Iraqi Security Forces to monitor the fight against ISIL.
The unit provided engineer capabilities to many projects in nine-separate camps. They also provided engineer force protections and life support of an airfield that served as the re-supply point for the Mosul Offensive.
“We did a lot of construction all over Iraq. We built offices and living spaces for the Soldiers, we just did a lot of construction overall,” said Sgt. Theodore D. Martens, carpentry and masonry specialist, 176th En. Co. and native of Seattle, Wash.
During their initial arrival the unit faced early challenges in figuring out how to resource material to complete projects in remote locations.
“We overcame our challenges by reclaiming materials from abandoned forward operating bases,” said Myers.
Approximately 138 engineer Soldiers are assigned to the 176th En. Co. The replacement unit is the 1156th Engineer Company of the New York National Guard.
“I am proud of the work my engineer soldiers have done here; we got to complete projects and assist in the mission more so than most conventional forces and they did a great job,” said Myers.
During their nine-month deployment the 176th En. Co. received support from their families and members of their communities.
“I would like to thank the families for the care packages. No one was left out and everyone was shown some love.” said Martens.
The 176th En. Co. concluded their deployment journey during their official “Welcome Home Ceremony” at Tacoma, Wash, Dec. 31, 2016. A maximum of 90 days will be granted to each Soldier to reintegrate back into their civilian life.
| Date Taken: | 01.30.2017 |
| Date Posted: | 02.21.2017 08:02 |
| Story ID: | 224127 |
| Location: | KW |
| Hometown: | DARIEN, IL, US |
| Hometown: | SEATTLE, WA, US |
| Hometown: | SNOHOMISH, WA, US |
| Web Views: | 745 |
| Downloads: | 2 |
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