KANDAHAR PROVINCE, Afghanistan — Members of the 1433rd Engineer Clearance Company assumed the route clearance mission on the roads outside Forward Operating Base Pasab, officially relieving the 22nd Engineer Clearance Company here, July 11.
For the members of the 22nd, coordination was instrumental for training of the 1433rd soldiers relieving them.
“We pushed to have them (1433rd) on the routes first to maximize their exposure to the area,” U.S. Army Capt. Evan Wolf, 22nd ECC commander, explaining how the 22nd pushed the 1433rd out on missions as soon as possible. As soon as soldiers of the 1433rd began arriving in country, members of the 22nd improved the incoming soldiers’ techniques of the field used to survive the roadways and hazards of Kandahar province.
In order for the transition of authority to take place, the leadership of the 22nd and the 1433rd banded together to ensure all those new to the battle arena were fully prepared for the deployment. “We deliberately transitioned them to the lead,” said Wolf, speaking about the 1433rd. “This has been a kinetic area with no substantial decrease in activity,” Wolf, emphasized the need to be vigilant with all duties and tasks outside the wire.
Even with a mission as critical and dangerous as route clearance, U.S. Army Capt. Todd Falor, 1433rd ECC commander is confident in his men.
“The 1433rd is ready to replace the 22nd. We have been training 18 months for this mission and with the knowledge passed along by the 22nd, I feel confident we are prepared. All the training we conducted has been battle focused with an emphasis placed on the combat skills the 1433rd soldiers would need.”