BAMBERG, Germany — The 21st Theater Sustainment Command’s 42nd Clearance Company, 54th Engineer Battalion, 18th Engineer Brigade returned to an eruption of cheers at their long awaited redeployment ceremony held Feb. 12 at Warner Barracks.
“These soldiers took on one of the most dangerous and difficult missions in Afghanistan. They stood up and stepped forward when others stepped back. They faced dangers to keep others safe. They are our heroes,” said Lt. Col. Thomas Austin, 54th Eng. Bn. commander.
The “Four-Deuce” company deployed Feb. 15, 2012, to Ghazni province, Afghanistan, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. They provided route clearance and combat engineering support to Task Force White Eagle, Task Force White Devils and Task Force Dragon.
The 42nd Clearance Company also provided a four-man embedded training team to the Afghan National Army to train and mentor ANA forces on route clearance operations.
Col. Scott Petersen, commander of the 18th Eng. Bde., concluded the ceremony by congratulating the 42nd Clearance Company
“We are immensely proud. We have been tracking what you do, what you’ve done downrange, and it’s just phenomenal,” Petersen said. “In fact, I think I’m looking at the best engineering company I have ever seen in the United States Army.”
The 42nd Clearance Company conducted route clearance on more than 25,000 kilometers of road. They identified and neutralized improvised explosive devices while supporting the International Security Assistance Force.
U.S. Army Europe nominated the 42nd Clearance Company for the 2012 Lt. Gen. Emerson C. Itschner Award, an award that recognizes the “best engineer company” in the U.S. Army.