FORT CARSON, Colo. - David Buttery didn’t have a son or daughter in the formation. He wasn’t a spouse or an active-duty soldier supporting his comrades as they prepare to deploy.
But he was there, sitting in the folding chairs waiting for the casing ceremony to begin, representing Woodland Park and the bond that community has with soldiers of 4th Engineer Battalion.
“We try to do anything we can to support the soldiers and families,” he said, adding that the relationship between the community and the unit began in 1992.
Buttery, the city manager for Woodland Park and former Army engineer, sat among soldiers, spouses and commanders as the “Reapers” from 62nd Sapper Company, 4th Engineer Battalion, cased the company colors Jan. 24 in preparation for a deployment to Afghanistan.
“This is a bittersweet event,” said Lt. Col. Daniel Hibner, commander, 4th Engineer Battalion. “On the one hand, we send yet another company to join another battalion in Afghanistan. But … we have the satisfaction of knowing we send a ready unit that will no doubt make us and all Americans proud.”
The company of approximately 100 soldiers deploys for nine months to the southern region of Afghanistan to conduct route clearance missions.
Capt. Jon Chychota, company commander, said his soldiers are ready.
Chychota took command of the company in March and had the engineers in the field by the end of April.
“It’s been pretty intense (training),” he said, adding that he believed conducting shooting ranges was pertinent in preparing for a deployment.
“I want to make sure I bring everybody home,” he said. “I thought that this was the way to do it.”
Many of the engineers, including Chychota, have completed multiple deployments.
Staff Sgt. Paul Bays, 2nd Platoon, said he feels prepared for this deployment, his fourth.
“The training has been up tempo, but it’s the most realistic training I’ve had,” he said.
Bays said he’s learned to “expect the unexpected” and be able to “adapt quickly.”
“I would encourage the younger guys to get involved with their families and keep in contact with them,” he said. “Even if they’re single, they need to let mom and dad know how they’re doing.”
Pfc. Travis Schmoll, 1st Platoon, said he was excited, nervous and anxious for the deployment.
“My mom is kind of sad about it,” he said. “My dad … he’s proud.”
Family members said they planned to keep busy and rely on each other for support.
“I’m not sure what to anticipate,” said Ashley Chychota, wife of Jon Chychota. “We have a solid group of ladies, and we’ll be planning lots of group activities to keep everybody engaged and keeping a positive attitude.”
Andrea Swanson, wife of 1st Sgt. Scott Swanson, said she was happy this deployment was shorter than the others her husband has completed.
“At least this one is nine months,” she said. “The last one was 15 months.”
Andrea Swanson said she gave birth to both of her children, now ages 4 and 9, while her husband was overseas.
Now that her children are older, she plans on keeping them busy to distract them from missing their father.
“We’ll keep trucking on,” she said. “That’s what we have to do.”