KANDAHAR, Afghanistan - Soldiers of Bravo Company, 40th Engineer Battalion, 170th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, commemorated a deployment milestone this week with the time honored combat patch ceremony. Combat patches are traditionally awarded after units serve 30 days in a combat zone. The ceremony itself dates back to George Washington and the Revolutionary War. Bravo Company, attached to Task Force LUMBERJACK in Afghanistan, is the first company in the 170th IBCT, to don the patch on their right shoulder.
The Army is the only service today that authorizes its soldiers to wear an additional patch on their uniform. The wear of the combat patch on the right shoulder recognizes soldiers actively participating in or supporting overseas combat operations against a hostile enemy. The patch itself is a representation of a unit’s history, displayed proudly on their uniform.
The 170th Infantry was reestablished on July 15, 2009, at U.S. Army Garrison Baumholder, in Germany. Its origins, however, date back much farther to August of 1917 when the Brigade was first activated at Camp Custer, Mich., as one of two brigades of the 85th Infantry Division. The unit was re-established on July 15, 2009, by reflagging the 2cd Brigade, 1st Armored Division. The unit insignia was only approved for wear on Oct. 16, 2009. Bravo Company is the first company, in a Brigade consisting of six Battalions, to wear the 170th IBCT patch as a combat patch.
The 170th IBCT patch, symbolizes the history and campaigns the unit has participated in. The light and dark blue on the 170th IBCT patch symbolizes the U.S. Infantry, past and present. The tan diagonal line represents the Defense of Saudi Arabia and Liberation of Kuwait. Gold is emblematic of excellence and signifies the Infantry Brigade’s supporting combat arm, Armor. The three stars are for World War I, World War II and Southwest Asia Campaigns. The upright bayonet symbolizes the combat mission of the 170th Infantry Brigade and its status of being a forward deployed unit.
Bravo Company is joining five other route clearance companies under the 20th Engineer Battalion, Task Force LUMBERJACK, currently in Southern Afghanistan. Task Force LUMBERJACK is the largest route clearance battalion in theatre. It is in a sense history repeating itself, as the 20th Engineer’s trace their linage back to the largest standing Engineer Regiment in history. The LUMBERJACKs deployed to Afghanistan with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, Forward Support Company, 510th Clearance Company, and 584th Mobility Augmentation Company out of Fort Hood, Texas. In Afghanistan, TF LUMBERJACK gained 630th Clearance Company, from Fort Drum, New York (who have since re-deployed back to Drum), 618th Engineer Support Company out of Fort Bragg, N.C., C/ 5-3 Field Artillery, out of Fort Lewis, Washington, and the 806th Engineer Company, out of Conway, Ark.
Task Force LUMBRJACK is spread out throughout southern Afghanistan, conducting route clearance operations to rid the roadways of coalition forces most dangerous threat, the improvised explosive device.
“I’m honored to welcome Bravo Company to Task Force LUMBERJACK. They join this war during a pivotal time. Their route clearance patrols will play a critical role for our freedom of movement mission,” stated Commander of the LUMBERJACKs, Lt. Col. Pete Andrysiak. “They will be up against the biggest threat on the battlefield, but we they are well equipped and trained. They are ready to face that challenge.” Bravo Company’s success, now that they join this fight, will ensure the safety of coalition forces, local nationals, and the success of Operation Enduring Freedom; their mission encompassing the 170th Brigade’s motto “Strength, Honor, Discipline.”
Links:
http://pao.hood.army.mil/36thengbde/20thIndex.html
http://www.facebook.com/pages/20th-Engineer-Battalion/174786539939
| Date Taken: | 09.03.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 09.03.2010 07:29 |
| Story ID: | 55659 |
| Location: | KANDAHAR, AF |
| Web Views: | 529 |
| Downloads: | 9 |
This work, Engineer Company Joins the Fight, by 2LT Randy Wintermantel, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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