Task Force Essayons wraps up successful legacy with casing of their colors

Photo By Cheryl Moore | Colonel John Haas, Jr., Task Force Essayons Commander and Sergeant Major William Klaers, Task Force Essayons Senior Enlisted Advisor, watch as the command colors are cased and hoisted into place by Sergeant First Class Joseph Harrison on May 15, 2021, Camp Arifjan, Kuwait. (Photo by Rick Benoit)  

KUWAIT

05.15.2021

Story by Cheryl Moore 

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Transatlantic Afghanistan District

Just shy of a four-year run, the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers Task Force Essayons command cases its traditional colors on May 15, 2021 for the final time, during a small but impactful ceremony at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait.
It was on May 20, 2017 that the Transatlantic Division published an order establishing Task Force Essayons, in response to the Army’s Central Command demand signal for several anticipated projects in the Central Commands Joint Operational Area.
Task Force Essayons was a revolutionary approach to meeting small project requirements in support of military contingency operations. It is viewed as a highly responsive and essential engineering element in support of the Warfighter.
Task Force Essayons was the only USACE organization whose sole purpose was the direct support to the Warfighter in theater. Task Force Essayons was OPCON to ARCENT and TACON to the Combined Joint Task Force- Operation Inherent Resolve (CJTF-OIR). Task Force Essayons was originally headquartered in Camp Taji, Iraq. The Task Force Essayons commander was required to spend time in both Camp Taji and in Camp Arifjan to properly coordinate with the CJTF-OIR staff. This established a footprint in Camp Arifjan, Kuwait that would pay future dividends.
After the March 2020 Iranian missile attacks that injured one Task Force Essayons civilian and intelligence reports indicated more attacks were imminent, Task Force Essayons took the initiative to protect the force and relocate Task Force Essayons to Camp Arifjan, Kuwait. This involved a tremendous effort by the Soldiers and DA Civilians to relocate. Once the threat lessened and in anticipation of Camp Taji transfer to the Iraqi Government, Task Force Essayons relocated to Erbil Air Base, Iraq to continue the mission. In the summer of 2020, Task Force Essayons relocated the Headquarters back to Camp Arifjan, Kuwait and established Project Delivery Teams in Erbil Air Base and the Al Asad Air Base, Iraq.
Task Force Essayons established five lines of effort to support the Warfighter and base commanders. These lines of efforts included Base Camp Master Planning, Project Management, Engineering, Construction, and Environmental Management. Task Force Essayons’ lines of effort carry construction projects from concept to completion. Base Camp Master Planning works closely with stakeholders to develop two-year plans for each base. Project Management shepherd projects from cradle to grave: developing a concept, presenting requiring activities, and defending Warfighter needs in funding boards. Each step of the way, project managers ensured the intent and needs of the Base Operating Support-Integrator (BOS-I) and base commanders were being met.
Engineering provides quality designs in a contingency environment that are constructible and timely. The construction lines of effort guarantees the final product is of the highest quality. Environmental management protects the health and safety of the Warfighter and the environment by applying and executing environmental standards in accordance with CENTCOM Environmental Regulation.
At one time Task Force Essayons was providing support to more than 30 bases in Iraq and Syria.
Throughout its history, Task Force Essayons has delivered more than 300 projects totaling over $211 Million. Task Force Essayons executed a revolutionary method of supporting contingency operations that is acknowledged by CJTF-OIR and ARCENT as being highly responsive and effective. Task Force Essayons closes this chapter of delivering USACE quality on the Warfighter timeline and their mission will now be combined as the chapter of the Transatlantic Expeditionary District begins.

• Date Taken: 05.15.2021
• Date Posted: 05.16.2021 12:42
• Story ID: 396549
• Location: KW