Engineers keep Kuwait running

Courtesy Photo | An engineer with Detachment 2, 863rd Engineer Battalion takes gravel from a tractor to level out ground at Zone 2 on Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, 10 Jan.  

01.10.2007

Story by Sgt. Christopher Jones 

40th Public Affairs Detachment

By Sgt. Chris Jones
40th Public Affairs Detachment

KUWAIT — One-third of their deployment in Kuwait is behind them, but the Soldiers of Detachment 2, 863rd Engineer Battalion rarely get the chance to reflect on the work they have accomplished.

Because the 54 engineers of Detachment 2 are positioned for maintenance tasks instead of construction, "We hear more people saying 'why wasn't this done' and 'we need you to do this now' than 'good job,' but that goes with our line of work," said Capt. Anthony Manning, commander of Detachment 2.

While the Navy's Seabees are tasked with construction in Kuwait, the engineers of Detachment 2 are the ones who repair what's already been built, which includes taking emergency work orders anytime of the day.

"If something is an emergency," said Manning, "we wake up and get it done."

Their work doesn't stop at Arifjan, though. There may be only 54 engineers in Detachment 2, but they have already been on maintenance missions to Camp Patriot, Camp Buehring, the Sea Port of Debarkation and an air base in Kuwait. Although the engineers have different primary skills – from welding to electrical to plumbing – but with such a high operational tempo, some missions require Soldiers to learn new jobs, said Manning.

Sgt. Eric Contreras, a heavy equipment operator on his 2nd deployment to Kuwait, said it is necessary to be adaptable.

"The last time I was here," said Contreras, "we had a battalion. Here, we have a company-sized element. There are less people to do the jobs, so we need to be able to cover down for each other."

Spc. Kham Kingphavong, a carpentry/masonry specialist, said the best part of the deployment is also the most difficult – learning new jobs as the deployment unfolds.

"I've worked with concrete, tiling, woodwork, flooring," said Kingphavong. "You do a little bit of everything. The experience is great. You get to know everything about your job."

Although an engineer in the Army Reserve, in his hometown of Rockford, Ill, he is a registered nurse.

"I move in two different directions," he said.

The engineers of Detachment 2 are quick to mention the benefit of being able to work with people from the same battalion back in the United States.

Although the Soldiers were picked from separate companies to form the detachment for the deployment, they are all from the same battalion, and many are from the Chicago area.

When two members of the 1985 Chicago Bears Super Bowl team visited Kuwait recently, nearly the entire detachment donned their Bears jerseys and got to meet some of their city's heroes.

"Some [Army] Reservists aren't as lucky as we are, being able to be deployed with the same people from their unit back home," said Sgt. Eloisa Zarco, a Chicago native and one of only two females in the unit. "You know these people, so you don't need to worry about getting used to new people while deployed. It's great having people you can relate to."

For Manning, who has been in a command position in the 863rd since 2002, he says his role as the commander is rewarding because of the engineers he's responsible for.

"I'm very happy with this unit," said Manning. "They work hard."

• Date Taken: 01.10.2007
• Date Posted: 01.10.2007 12:20
• Story ID: 8784