377th Engineers complete mission in Horn of Africa

Photo By Sgt. Gauret Stearns | U.S. Army Soldiers from the 377th Engineering Vertical Construction Company (EVCC) and the 712th Engineer Support Company (ESC), stand in formation before a transfer of authority ceremony at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Oct. 20, 2021. The ceremony highlighted the transfer of the Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) engineering mission from the 377th EVCC to the 712th ESC. The engineering company works on a variety of construction projects with partner nations throughout CJTF-HOA’s area of responsibility. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Pfc. Gauret Stearns)  

DJIBOUTI

10.27.2021

Story by Pfc. Gauret Stearns 

Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa

Soldiers from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 377th Engineer Vertical Construction Company (EVCC), from Pennsylvania, transferred the Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) engineering mission over to the 712th Engineering Support Company (ESC), from South Carolina, during a ceremony at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Oct. 20, 2021.

The engineering company’s mission, in support of CJTF-HOA and U.S. Africa Command, aims to improve relationships with partner nations through a variety of construction projects coordinated throughout CJTF-HOA’s area of responsibility.

“Leaving home the day after Christmas was a rough start, but we pulled through,” said Capt. Katerina Graf, commander, 377th EVCC. “Looking back over the last nine months I couldn’t be more proud of every Soldier, NCO and officer in my unit.”

While at Camp Lemonnier, the 377th EVCC completed many construction projects on and off base. Some of the projects included repairing roads, culverts, building a fire training complex and clearing ground for future projects.

The Soldiers also worked hand-in-hand with Djiboutian and other partner nations for integrated training resources, force protection and learning how to construct field hospitals.

“I can’t go anywhere on base without seeing work that my team has done,” Graf said.

Additionally, many Soldiers with the 377th EVCC volunteered at the Caritas Orphanage, Djibouti, playing with and feeding children, and conducting repairs and restoration to facilities, leaving a lasting impact within the community.

Capt. Fermin Cardenas, commander of the incoming unit, said that he and the 712th ESC are “excited for the operational opportunity to contribute to the overall strategic mission for the United States here in Africa and will sustain the success of the engineer footprint at CJTF-HOA.”

• Date Taken: 10.27.2021
• Date Posted: 11.04.2021 02:15
• Story ID: 408660
• Location: DJ