Photo By 1st Lt. Robert Barney | Spc. Joshua Monroe, a member of the 937th Engineer Detachment (Firefighting Team), is...... read more read more
Members of the Idaho Army National Guard’s 937th Engineer Detachment (Firefighting Team) returned home Wednesday from a nine-month deployment to Romania in support of U.S. and international operations in Europe.
The seven-Soldier unit mobilized in July 2017 and completed a 21-day mobilization training period at Fort Bliss, Texas, prior to deploying. The unit returned to Fort Bliss May 6 to complete the post-mobilization process before returning home Wednesday.
“I’m incredibly proud of the Citizen-Soldiers of the 937th and am happy to welcome them back to their families and loved ones here in Idaho,” said Brig. Gen. Farin Schwartz, assistant adjutant general – Army and commander of the Idaho Army National Guard. “The 937th’s outstanding performance on this deployment demonstrates the Idaho Army National Guard’s ability to deploy and execute its mission anywhere in the world.”
During the deployment, the 937th provided firefighter support to Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base, Romania, and the Novo Selo Training Area, Bulgaria. The unit was utilized as emergency first responders to provide firefighter services to base assets, airfield, aircraft and runway support for multi-national air assets.
“The unit felt privileged to be part of this firefighting mission,” said Sgt. 1st Class Duane Nelson. “We had the opportunity to utilize our military and civilian skills, and work alongside a multinational team. This deployment gave each of us a new outlook and greater understanding of how our military skills play a part in accomplishing multi-national missions.”
The 937th was attached to the South Dakota Army National Guard’s 216th Engineer Detachment (Firefighting Team). The firefighting task force was made up of firefighters from the South Carolina Army National Guard’s 266th Engineer Detachment, the Hawaii Army National Guard’s 297th Engineer Detachment and Fort Campbell, Kentucky’s 550th Engineer Detachment. The unit also trained with members of the Canadian and British air forces and Romanian and Bulgarian military and civilian fire departments.
The detachment conducted more than 300 safety inspections, conducted pre-fire planning on more than 450 structures and responded to approximately 20 fire calls and eight lifesaving calls during the deployment. The 937th also completed hundreds of volunteer hours with three orphanages in Constanta, Romania, and conducted 10 events in support of local schools.
The unit is based at the Orchard Combat Training Center, located 30 miles south of Boise, with members from six Idaho communities. Nelson and Spc. Jonathan Walker are from Idaho Falls. Sgt. Kory Simmons is from Meridian; Spc. Ryan Harris is from Rigby; Cpl. Zane Hoffman is from Iona; Spc. Joshua Monroe is from Nampa; and Cpl. Brian Moon is from Albion. This deployment was the first for the unit and six of its members.
| Date Taken: | 05.17.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 05.17.2018 11:55 |
| Story ID: | 277344 |
| Location: | BOISE, ID, US |
| Web Views: | 348 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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