875th Engineer Battalion - Arkansas National Guard

Newsletter of the Arkansas Army National Guard’s 875th Engineer Battalion (Mobilized)Vol. 2 Num. 4 2007Essayons875th Engineer Battalion875th hits the six month mark in yearlong deploymentu HHC and 131st Soldiers welcomed into NCO Corpsu Charlie Company puts the Quick in QRFu Alpha Company Soldiers find 500th IEDu Twenty-one page issue!

Inside Issue Eight6HHC, 131st Soldiers join NCOCorps at Striker ceremonyNew Headquarters, Headquarters Company and 131st Engineer CompanyNCOs walk through the Arch of Leadership and join their Alpha andCharlie brethren in the ranks of the Corps of Noncommissioned Officers.8On recovery duty withCharlie Company QRFCharlie Company’s quick reaction force recently headed outside theLogistics Support Area Anaconda “wire” to recover a non-operationalvehicle.10875th looks at where weare at the six month markThe Arkansas Army National Guard’s 875th is half way through a yearlongdeployment to Iraq. The company commanders and Lt. Col. Anslowtake a look at how the unit is doing at the six month mark.Alpha Company’s Edmonds makes 500th IED find 12Battalion Commander is promoted to Colonel 16Alpha Soldiers thanked for quick reaction 18News and promotions around the battalion 20Questions, comments or submissionsto the Essayons should bedirected to Staff Sgt. Chris A.Durney at christopher.durney@us.army.mil. All submissions willbe cleared of OPSEC violationsand edited to Associated Pressstandards. Photos and storiesfrom home are welcome and encouraged.Please look for issuesof the newsletter to be publishedabout every three weeks.DepartmentsCommander’s Message: 4From the Command Sgt. Major: 4Company Corner: 5Chaplain Message: 14EssayonsPage

FROM THE TOPBattalion Commander CommandSergeant MajorGreetings, I hope this newsletter finds everyonehealthy – physically, mentally and spiritually. Wellfolks, we have officially passed the half way point of thedeployment. We have now been on the ground longerthen the time we have remaining. This is a wonderfulmilestone, but one that also reminds us that there is stilla long, and potentially challenging, road ahead.For most of us, we have been completely focused onthis mission for the past year since we were alerted inMarch 2006. We moved all our other priorities down anotch and placed this one at the top. That meant tremendoussacrifice for our family, friends, co-workers andcommunity. We established from the start that ‘endurance’would be one of our keys to success. After twelvemonths and with about six months to go, that endurancemay begin to feel tested and challenged.For some, the pain of separation and the burdensof family life may be making a tremendous tug at ourhearts and minds. In marathon terminology they callthis “hitting the wall.” It is the point at which you thinkyou can no longer go on, no matter how close you maybe to the finish line. It is brought on by the physiologicalstress the body is undergoing when muscular fatigueis peaking. The best way to combat this stress is to findhope in your self, in your mission and in your goals.This is called achieving “mind over matter.”All of us have pledged to do everything we can toget everyone home safely. And I believe that whateverwe put our minds to, we can achieve! We must stayfocused on that goal and find ways to muster that hope.This is why the support of our family and communitiesis so very important. You provide us that hope andencouragement. You provide us that compass to keepus pointed in the right direction, toward that finish line.Your faith, dedication, commitment, sacrifices and serviceenable us to accomplish our mission and goals. Thesoldiers of the 875th, their family and friends, continueto impress me every day. I am so fortunate to serve withyou.Thank you for all that you do, every day to help uskeep the faith. You are the hope and strength that willhelp us past the wall. God bless Arkansas, Vermont andIndiana, and the friends and family of the 875th EngineerBattalion.Essayons – Ready and Willing!Greetings from Iraq. It is, once more, a great opportunityfor me to address you from Iraq, and from theCommand Sgt. Major’s point of view.We are now entering our sixth month in Iraq, andall continues to be well with the 875th. We are stayingdiligent, and are continuing to focus on the mission athand.We are entering a new season here in the MiddleEast, and we are preparing ourselves as best as possiblefor what is to come. Spring is almost here, whichpromises to bring wind and dust storms. However, restassured, we have the necessary equipment to keep ussafe and healthy. Each Soldier has ballistic eye wearthat will help them to accomplish their mission despitethese conditions. Speaking of accomplishing the mission,your Soldiers continue to keep the enemy on thedefensive, yet we continue to strive, daily, to improveour skills and training.The battalion continues to evolve daily as we becomemore seasoned, mature and expert in the use ofour equipment. Proficiency is extremely important forevery Soldier’s wellbeing and safety.We also continue to have Soldiers on leave, and Ihope that their visits home are rewarding and enjoyable.By remaining focused, you will assist my Soldiers, andyour loved ones, to stay mission capable and ready. Wehave truly come a long way, but we still have a longway to go. I am thankful for the continued improvementin services here, giving my Soldiers a boost in thequality of their daily lives.Finally, continue to keep us in your prayers, andto keep your loved one abreast of what is going on athome. Continue to send email, and to attend the videoteleconferences. Please continue to send care packagesperiodically. I am so thankful to have this opportunityto send you words of encouragement, and information.Again, thanks for your hard work. Ready and willing!HOOAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!COL Patricia AnslowCommand Sgt. Maj. BillyEssayonsPage

131st Engineer Co.Hello Everyone.I want to start out by congratulating Staff Sgt.Henry Blackman for being the Mechanic of the Monthfor the 131st Engineer Company. And I want torecognize Sgt. Chris Phillips for his achievements asa nighttime Battle NCO. Also, I would like to senda special congratulations to Chris Anderson and LoriSims on their recent engagement.These recognitions are just a few out of the company.As a whole, I am very proud of these Soldiers.The reputation that they enjoy with other units, on theroad or back at base camp, is immeasurable. They arecompletely dedicated to the mission and their fellowSoldiers. It is a great feeling not to just command, butto serve with the Soldiers of the 131st.I hope that this letter finds everyone in goodhealth. Take care and God Bless.Capt. Jacob RoyAlpha Co.COMPANYCORNERIt is hard to believe it isalready spring time. Our surroundingsare starting to turn greenand the temperature is starting to rise.Farmers are planting their fields. Sheepand cattle roam the fields grazing on the freshgreen grass. There is a new sense of urgencyamong the people of Iraq. You can tell when yougo out that the country is starting to emerge from yearsof war and chaos. Several construction projects areongoing along our routes, and it is good to see Iraqisworking and building infrastructure for their country.It is quite refreshing.The Soldiers of Alpha Company continue to dogreat things. We recently celebrated the 500th IEDfind for the battalion, and have had many other greatsuccesses. We will continue to excel and make thecitizens of Arkansas, Vermont and Indiana proud.Essayons!!!HHCSix months in this country have come and gone! Ilook back over the past six months and I can see justhow much we have to be thankful for. It hasn’t alwaysbeen smooth -- we have had our trials and tribulations-- but we are still performing to standard, and areactively engaged in supporting a battalion committedto making a difference in Iraq. We are in the processof leaving our mark on history in the global war onterror, and ensuring a safer world for our future generations.This past month we held a NCO induction ceremonyfor the three Sergeants that we promoted earlierin the deployment. It gave us a chance to go back andcongratulate them once more, and to educate others onwhat it takes to represent the backbone of the Army.I would like to thank everyone who orchestrated andparticipated in the ceremony.We continue to receive letters and packages fromhome -- thank you for all your support! Your blessingsare greatly appreciated. I also want to personallysay thank you to our Family Support Group, I appreciateall that you do.EssayonsCapt. Joshua SimmonsCapt. David MooreSgt. 1st Class Jerry W. Greenwood was in full battlerattle March 19 during a road grading mission atCamp Striker, Iraq. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt.Chris A. Durney.)See Charlie Co. Page 15Page

LEADERSHIP, PART TWOBattalion welcomes 16 more into NCO ranksStory and photos by Staff Sgt. Chris A. DurneyThe ranks of the Corps of NoncommissionedOfficers swelled by 16 at an 875th Engineer Battalioninduction ceremony at Camp Striker, Iraq,Mar. 8, 2007.Three from Headquarters, Headquarters Company,and 13 from the 131st Engineer Company recited theCreed of the Noncommissioned officer before walkingthrough the Arch of Leadership and receiving theCharge to the Newly Promoted NoncommissionedOfficer. These NCOs join the 17 Soldiers from AlphaCompany and Charlie Company who were inductedat a 411th Engineer Brigade ceremony February 3 atLogistics Support Area Anaconda.Battalion Command Sgt. Maj. Billy Ward conductedthe ceremony at the Camp Striker dining facility, andintroduced Brigade Command Sgt. Maj. Rickey Knoxas the key speaker. Knox explained the importance ofthe Noncommissioned Officer’s role as the backbone ofthe Army.Each new Sergeant had a battalion senior NCO asa sponsor, who introduced the candidates at the ceremony.Then, one-by-one, they stepped through thearch. Each NCOwas greeted by Knox,Ward, 1sttheSgt. Ronnie Taylor,131st first sergeant,1st Sgt. MichaelSims, HHC’s firstsergeant, Lt. Col.Patricia Anslow,875thbattalioncommander,and Brig. Gen. Michael Silva, 411th brigadecommander.The tradition of commemorating the passing of aSoldier into the ranks of Noncommissioned Officerscan be traced to the Army of Fredrick the Great. Todaythe U.S. Army commemorates this rite of passage as acelebration of the newly promoted joining the ranks ofa professional corps, emphasizing and building on thepride of belonging to that corps.Since the earliest days of the Army, the NCO hasbeen recognized as one who instills discipline and orderwithin a unit. In his instructions for the “Sergeantsand Corporals,” Baron Freidrich von Steuben, the U.S.Army’s first “drill-master,” listed in his Regulations forthe Order and Discipline of the Troops of the UnitedStates, that “Each Sergeant and Corporal will be answerablefor the squad committed to his care. He mustpay particular attention to their conduct in every respectand that they keep themselves and their arms alwaysclean. In dealing with recruits, they must exercise alltheir patience, and while on the march, the NoncommissionedOfficer must preserve order and regularity.”Silva presented each new NCO abrigade coin following the ceremony,vigorously shaking eachSergeant’s hand.After a groupphoto,the Soldiers andguestswere treated to aspecialcake decoratedwith the battalionpatch.EssayonsPage

Inductees into the Corps ofNoncommissioned OfficersSgt. Stephen Astbury (131)Sgt. Joshua Beasley (131)Sgt. Andrew Bippus (131)Sgt. Eric Bouchard (131)Sgt. Cindy Evins (HHC)Sgt. Wesley Gautreaux (131)Sgt. Randy Gladish (HHC)Sgt. Timothy Goldman (131)Sgt. Megan Grauer (HHC)Sgt. Jason Hill (131)Sgt. Adam Holcomb (131)Sgt. Cory Huckabee (131)Sgt. Christopher Phillips (131)Sgt. Edward Roach (131)Sgt. Russell Stemmons (131)Sgt. Steven Ward (131)Page 6 top: Sixteen battalion Soldiers are inductedinto the ranks of the NCO Corps. Page 6, bottom:Sgt. Randy Gladish and fellow members of the 875threcite the Charge to the Newly Promoted NoncommissionedOfficer with Command Sgt. Maj. Ward. Top:A specially decorated cake is ready for cutting. Leftmiddle: Sgt. Stephen Astbury of the 131st is welcomedinto the NCO corps by 411th brigade CommandSgt. Maj. Ricky Knox. Left bottom: Brig. Gen.Michael Silva, 411th Engineer Brigade commandershakes Sgt. Timothy Goldman’s hand. Right: 1st Sgt.Michael Sims helps with the cake.EssayonsPage

CharlieQCompany puts theuickStory and photos byStaff Sgt. Chris A. Durneyin Quick Reaction ForceA Charlie Company HEMTT wrecker is ready to rollout on a recent recovery mission at LSA Anaconda. Afresh RG-31 hangs from the armored truck’s hooks.The radio crackled to life in the Charlie Companyoperations center, quieting the normallyloquacious morning crew. It was a 3rd Platoonroute clearance team reporting that they had a vehicledown “outside the wire.” Without hesitation, theoperations NCO reached for his hand held radio andbegan assembling the on-duty Quick Reaction Force.It wouldn’t take long for the team to prove just howquick they are.Within minutes, members of 4th Platoon began toshow up in the Charlie Company motor pool at LogisticsSupport Area Anaconda. Sgt. 1st Class JohnnyMcCarrol, the platoon sergeant, quickly organizedeveryone and began handing out assignments. TheSoldiers swarmed into action assembling vehicles,body armor, weapons and mission supplies as quicklyas possible.Inside of an hour, the QRF was ready to roll withan impressive column of armored humvees and RG-31s, and a special armored wrecker called a HeavyExpanded Mobility Tactical Truck, or HEMTT. AEssayonsreserve RG-31 armored gun truck hung from thewrecker hooks, ready to replace 3rd Platoon’s inoperablevehicle.The QRF mission leader, Staff Sgt. Brian Lynch,called the Soldiers together for the mission briefing,and to make sure everyone knew which vehicle theywere assigned to, including an Army photojournalisttapped to drive a humvee for the mission. The menslipped into their body armor and helmets, and clamberedinto their vehicles.Sgt. Christopher Henick and Spc. Daniel Bulkleypulled themselves into the cab of the hulking HEM-TT, closed the heavy armored doors and made a finalcheck that every thing was good to go. “QRF fourone, QRF wrecker is ready to roll,” said Henick as hekeyed the radio microphone.The column of vehicles lumbered along the Iraqicountryside until they spotted the waiting 3rd Platoonpatrol, a few kilometers outside of Balad. “Keep atight cordon, and your eyes peeled,” came Lynch’svoice from our radio speaker. “QRF wrecker, moveinto position.”The HEMTT rolled to a stop next to the downed3rd Platoon vehicle, where Bulkley and Henick weregreeted by 2nd Lt. Johnny Douglas, 3rd Platoonleader, and the happy faces of the idling route clearanceteam. The rest of the QRF took up protectivepositions around the site, keeping sharp eyes on thesurrounding terrain. The “fresh” RG-31 was quicklylowered and released from the wrecker hooks, andpressed into service.With practiced expertise, Bulkley and Henick hadthe HEMTT positioned in front of the out of servicevehicle, and began the recovery operation. Beforelong, the front end of the downed RG-31 hung fromPage

the wrecker hooks, and the QRF was ready to headback to Anaconda. After a round of hand shakes andsmiles, the 3rd Platoon team reset their column ofvehicles, and resumed their critical route clearancemission for the day.Back in our humvee, we listened to the radio asLynch gave the order to move out, “alright QRF,Charlie Mike, Charlie Mike.”“Roger, four-four on the move,” said our truckcommander, Staff Sgt. Randy White as we took upour position at the rear of the line of armored vehicles.On the way back to Anaconda, the local farmersbarely took notice of our passing column, but groupsof Iraqi children stood along the roadway, gesturingfor food, candy or whatever they could get. Membersof the team tossed several bottles of water to eagerhands as we passed through the countryside.Back in the Charlie Company motor pool atAnaconda, the team ended the mission just as quicklyas they had started, parking vehicles, unloading andreorganizing supplies. After all of the vehicles, bodyarmor and weapons were secured, Lynch and Mc-Carol gathered the men together for a quick after actionreport, and to note any significant events duringthe mission.“This is what it’s all about,” said Lynch afterward.“We’ve got to be ready to go at a moment’s noticeall day today, and be ready to go on a route clearancepatrol tomorrow.”“It’s hard sometimes, but we keep going, knowingthat what we do is important,” said Lynch.Top Left: Spc. Daniel Bulkley gets ready to hook upa downed vehicle. Top right: Staff Sgt. Randy Whitecommands a humvee. Left: Sgt. Christopher Henickmakes sure the vehicle is hooked up properly. Above:Iraqi children stand along the roadway gesturing forfood, candy or water.EssayonsPage

875th Engineer Battalion hits milestonePhotos and information provided by Alpha CompanyLess than six months into a yearlong deploymentto Iraq, the Arkansas Army NationalGuard’s 875th Engineer Battalion has foundand cleared its 500th improvised explosive device.The 875th deployed to Iraq in late September2006, and is tasked with a critical route clearanceand route sanitation mission along a major militaryand Iraqi commerce artery in central Iraq. Staff Sgt.Adam Edmons of Floral, Ark., made the historic500th find while on patrol Mar. 6, 2007, with 2nd Platoon,Alpha Company. In the vehicle with Edmonswas Sgt. Alan Massey, Spc. Chris McCormick andSpc. Jeffrey Linker.According to Capt. David Moore, Alpha Companycommander, the 500th was significant, but the499th was a more difficult find due to the way it wasconcealed. The sharp eyes of Sgt. Zachary Mullins, ofCherry Valley, Ark., were able to spot the dangerousroadside bomb before it could be detonated by terrorists.Each of the IEDs were rendered harmless by anexplosive ordinance detachment before the patrol continuedon with a mission that lasted over eight hours.Alpha Company and Charlie Company operate out ofLogistics Support Area Anaconda, near Balad. Thebattalion headquarters and the 131st Engineer Companyare located at Camp Striker, near Baghdad.“We honor all 499 find and clears that got usto 500,” said Lt. Col. Patricia Anslow, 875th battalioncommander, “ but we are especially proud ofthe 500th because it is a significant milestone in thebattalion’s fight against IEDs.”Over 400 Arkansas troops are deployed with the875th, which is also made up of over 100 Soldiersfrom Vermont and Indiana Army National Guardunits. The battalion mobilized in March, 2006, and isslated to return from Operation Iraqi Freedom in thefall.Essayons Page 12

From the Chaplainby Capt. (Chaplain) Mark GolawayProverbs 24:32 (NIV) I applied my heart to what Iobserved and learned a lesson from what I saw:Spring is upon us. The rains are coming to anend, and the dust and winds are growing. As theremaining mud holds small puddle reminders of whathas come to pass, these pools reflect the light thatsurrounds them. As we reach the six month mark,we have an opportunity, like the puddles, to reflect onlife, our mission, and the ground we’ve covered gettingwhere we are.Where have we been?The simple and obvious answer is from Indiana,Vermont, and Arkansas through Wisconsin and Kuwaitto Iraq. But the real answer is that we have beento Iraq. The name itself now has meaning to us. Thepeople, the sights, the smells, and the land all evokememories and emotions. We have seen war in all itsdetail. Some stories we may be willing to tell, others,you may never hear. We have met an enemy who prefersnot to stand and fight, but to attack their innocentneighbors, their fellow man, and American soldierswith explosives, not caring who is hurt or injured,seeking only terror and disruption, all with no hopeof really winning. Our enemy is a mercenary hidingbehind politically aimed sound-bites, dressed up inreligious rhetoric, rejected by their own people.Yet in all of this, we have stood strong. We havefound a commitment to principle and a sense of dutyto get us through. We arrived unsure of what wewould find, expecting the worst, and instead found thebest our fellow soldier had to offer. We came becausewe received an order; we stay because of our responsibilityto the soldier standing by our side; nothingmore, nothing less.Who have we become?In short, we have become a team. We have createda functioning unit out of personnel from a varietyof units. Where once we stood as the 131st, 1313th,or 875th, we now stand together. While we wear themoniker of the 875th or the 131st, we are really bothand neither. The unit that exists is not the 875th thatwas, or ever will be again. We are a varied people,from varied communities, with varied skills and abilities.We will return to our homes at the end of thistour and not see many that we have lived 24 hours aday with again. Yet for this time, we focus on whateach soldier brings to the team, and we make thebest of our mission and the most of our friendships,new and old. Our different origins give us differentviewpoints, which make for lively conversation overmeals and on patrols. Our military training helps ustake these differences and find the best solutions forthe missions we are assigned. Our various faiths andour conversations with the Divine give us strength,peace that overshadows fear, and the ability to survivethe ungodly.We are changed by our time here. We are moreself-reliant. We are more confident in our knowledgeand our abilities. We are stronger and matured inways we could not have anticipated. Yet, we are alsoexposed to others who think in ways completely foreignto us, and we are shaped by our trying to understand.Our horizons have been broadened, and in sodoing, we are surer of some of our positions, and lessdogmatic about others.We have formed relationships, alliances, andunions with those we deployed with and from whichwe gain strength. We have found the wisdom to findAn Iraqi boy gives the thumbs up sign to a passingCharlie Company patrol. (U.S. Army photo by StaffSgt. Chris A. Durney.)Please see 1st column, page 15Essayons Page 14

Chaplain, continued from page 14ways to work along side those we differ with andfocus on the task at hand. We have become a combatbattalion.What have we accomplished?We have prepared for battle, and found ourselvesready. We have gained confidence in our teams, ourequipment, and our training. We have faced IEDsemplaced by those who know the terrain better thanwe do, and yet we have successfully and repeatedlyprevented their terror and destruction from takingcountless lives. We have frustrated the plans of thoseopposed to a free Iraq, and supported the units whodepend on us for safe roadways. We adjust daily andforce the enemy to keep up or be destroyed. We preferthey don’t keep up.We have survived the pains of separation fromfamily and friends. We have overcome the difficultiesof being distant during times of financial planning,parenting, birthdays, anniversaries, special events,and tragic illnesses and deaths back home. We havecreated and established an abnormal routine, developinghabits and thought patterns which will onlyever be useful in this situation. We have shaped ourthoughts to the mission while grasping and holdingto the reality that is home with you. We have accommodatedthat which will keep us alive here, withoutlosing that which we are when we are home. We havealtered our habits without reducing our person.We have put ourselves in a strong position tocomplete the mission. We recognize the intent andtactics of our enemies, and we are constantly discussinghow to beat them. We are shifting our thoughtpatterns from looking back to see those we love, tolooking forward to handing off this mission to ourreplacement unit, and coming home.The lesson learned.In the past six months, we have grown both individuallyand corporately. We have discovered techniquesto help us survive the emotional issues of familyseparation and the tactics to overcome the ploys ofour enemy. We have become a unified force, focusedon completing the mission in the most effective waypossible so we can return to home and hearth, our jobcomplete. We stand ready and competent, acknowledgedby our fellow soldiers as well as our enemy.We recognize our part in this historical time, and arehonored to serve, but we will rejoice when we againreceive orders, this time to come home.Blessings!Company Corner continued from page 5Charlie CompanyHot dog, it’s a great day in Charlie Company.Everyone here seems to be rolling right along withthe training and mission at hand. I am amazed atthe hard work everyone continues to do.I grew up always hearing that behind everygreat man is a great woman. I can honestly saythat there are over 140 GREAT women back inArkansas, Indiana, Vermont and other variousstates. I often tell others that the reason we havebeen so successful is because I am surroundedby excellence. I honestly do feel that way, and Ithank you all for each of your loved ones. I willsay that YOU are truly the real “American Patriots!”I know that the men here are among America’sbest, and everyone wants to do a great job. We oftensit with each other and discuss the issues youare having. I have talked about the joys of home,and the joys that we all look forward to. I heardsomeone just yesterday say they are sending theirsheets home to have their wife wash them andspray them with her perfume. Why, you ask, justbecause you’re missed. It is for the smell of homeand the reminder of you!! I thank you once againfor your love and support. Until we meet again,have a CHARLIE OF A DAY!!!!Missing you all.Capt. Timothy P. NormanEssayons Page 15

Battalion Commander promoted to ColonelIn the shadow of Baghdad, Iraq, Patricia Anslow,commander of the Arkansas Army NationalGuard’s 875th Engineer Battalion, was promotedto the rank of Colonel on Thursday, March 23.Brig. Gen. Michael Silva, 411th Engineer Brigadecommander, presented Anslow with her new rank at aceremony just outside of the battalion headquarters onCamp Striker. The 875th’s Command Sgt. Maj. BillyWard was given the honor of pinning the “full bird”on her patrol cap. The 500-man 875th is six monthsinto a yearlong deployment in support of OperationIraqi Freedom.Anslow began her military career as a graduateof the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y., in1989. The 40 –year-old native of Troy, N.Y., has beena member of the Arkansas Army National Guard since1993, and took over the reins of the 875th in October2003. She served as an officer in the active componentArmy from 1989 to 1992, and deployed to Iraq insupport of Operation Desert Storm in 1991.In her civilian life, the avid runner is the Chief ofPlanning and Environmental Office for the U.S. ArmyCorp of Engineers in Arkansas.Top: Newly pinned Col. Patricia Anslow, 875th Engineer Battalion commander. Above: Col. Anslow is congratulatedby members of the battalion. (U.S. Army photos by Staff Sgt. Chris A. Durney.)Essayons Page 16

APRIL BIRTHDAYSJason Finney, SGT 01 131stMike Jenkins, 2LT 02 A Co.Joshua Patterson, SPC 04 131stJoshua Qualls, SPC 04 A Co.Jason Bolin, SGT 05 C Co.Russell Crawford, SFC 06 HHCNeil Hall, SFC 06 HHCPerry Maier, SPC 06 A Co.Jason Rinehart, SPC 07 HHCMathew Richardson, SPC 09 C Co.Jerry Lee, SSG 10 A Co.Richard Chastain, SPC 11 C Co.James Ewald, SSG 11 C Co.Franklin Householder, SPC 11 A Co.James Stanley, SPC 11 131stMichael Kirk, PFC 12 A Co.Dean MacDonald, SFC 12 C Co.Stephen Cunningham, PFC 13 131stRobert Martin, SGT 13 C Co.Scott Sheeley, SPC 13 131stGuilford Forney, SPC 14 C Co.Carl Beattie, SFC 15 131stMark Golaway, CPT 15 HHCDustin E. Miller, SPC 16 HHCJimmy Adams, PFC 18 131stStephen McCulley, 2LT 18 A Co.Timothy Norman, CPT 19 C Co.Robert Smith, SPC 20 C Co.Keith Arnoult, SGT 21 A Co.Robert Blume, SGT 21 C Co.Samuel Isom, SSG 23 C Co.Ronnie Copeland, SFC 24 A Co.Timothy Dean, 1LT 25 HHCDennis McGinnis, SPC 25 HHCRichie Hall, SPC 26 HHCBrian Tarmy, SGT 30 A Co.A Charlie Company Husky is fired up and ready for a night mission near Balad, Iraq.U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Chris A. DurneyEssayons Page 17

Alpha Company teamrecognized for role incapturing insurgentsTen members of 4th Platoon, Alpha Company,were recognized for their roll in capturing a terroristIED placement team while on patrol March 5.2nd Lt. Kevin Jenkins, Spc. Jeremy White, Spc.Michael Wiley, Spc. Ryan Lawrence, Spc. ShannonKender, Spc. Billy Dever, Spc. Robert Towne, Spc.Brian Jillson, Staff Sgt. Christopher Weaver, and Sgt.1st Class Malcolm Warner each received a certificateof appreciation from the 2nd Battalion of the 82 FieldArtillery at a ceremony March 15.According to the certificates, and battalion reports,the 4th Platoon route clearance patrol was in theprocess of investigating, and finding, an improvisedexplosive device along a roadway near Balad whenthey sighted the terrorist placement squad in a nearbycivilian vehicle.The quick-thinking team detained the four individualsuntil an element of the 2nd of the 82nd couldarrive and take custody of the suspected insurgents.“Your role in capturing an improvised explosivedevice (IED) team and subsequent disposal of an IEDcontributed to the security of the Steel Dragon areaof operations,” reads each of the certificates. “Yourefforts are in keeping with the finest Steel Dragon andCalvary Traditions. Job Well Done”The certificates were signed by Lt. Col. John M.Kolessar, 2nd battalion commander, and 2nd battalionCommand Sgt. Maj. Willie B. Johes.Two thanked by KBRfor conducting classesAlpha Company’s Staff Sgt. Kevin Turner andStaff Sgt. Kurtis Holloway were presented certificatesof appreciation on behalf of a military contractor inIraq.Turner and Holloway received the kudos fromKBR for conducting improvised explosive deviceawareness classes for KBR convoy commandersMarch 6 at Logistics Support Area Anaconda.“We are honored to present this certificate of appreciationfor your dedication to KBR convoy commanders,”reads the certificates. “Your professionalattitude and dedication in sharing your knowledge asa subject matter expert is exemplary.”Top: Staff Sgt. Kevin Turner accepts his KBR certificatefrom Alpha Company 1st Sgt. Walter Holloway.Bottom: Staff Sgt. Kurtis Holloway receives his certificatefrom 1st Sgt. Holloway.Essayons Page 18

Delph and Navarro awarded Purple HeartPvt. 1st Class Jeremy Delph, left, and Spc. RichardNavarro with their Purple Hearts.Lt. Col. Patricia Anslow, 875th Engineer Battalioncommander, administers the oath of enlistment to Spc.Dennis R. McGinnis III at Al Fawl Palace, Iraq.McGinnis re-enlistsStanding in front of Saddam Hussein’s formerthrone chair March 7, Spc. Dennis R. McGinnis IIIpromised to serve in the Arkansas Army NationalGuard another six years.McGinnis, of Swifton, Ark., is a member of the875th Engineer Battalion’s Headquarters, HeadquartersCompany, and serves as the commander’s driver.The 875th is on a yearlong deployment to Iraq.His military occupation specialty is combat engineer,and he has served in the National Guard for fiveyears. His wife, Stacy, and three children wait for hisreturn to Swifton.“I do my job, and they I try to assist in areas allaround the battalion headquarters,” said McGinnis. “Itruly enjoy serving our country and being in the ArmyNational Guard.”Pvt. 1st Class Jeremy A. Delph and Spc. RichardL. Navarro of the 875th Engineer Battalion’s 131stEngineer Company each received the Purple Heartmedal at a ceremony at Camp Striker, Iraq, March 22.Delph, a member of the Indiana Army NationalGuard, and Navarro, of Leachville, Ark., received themedals for injuries sustained while on route clearancepatrols with the 131st’s 3rd Platoon. Each Soldierwas treated and returned to duty.Brig. Gen. Michael Silva, 411th Engineer Brigadecommander, pinned the medals on Delph and Navarrowhile Col. Patricia Anslow presented each with theircitation.Forbs earns ArmyAchievement MedalStaff Sgt. Wendy Forbs of the 875th Engineer Battalion’sHeadquarters, Headquarters Company, wasawarded the Army Achievement Medal at a ceremonyat Camp Striker, Iraq, March 1.Forbs works in the battalion personnel section,and received the award for “outstanding leadershipduring pre-mobilization and mobilization.” The875th is six months into a yearlong deployment insupport of Operation Iraqi Freedom.“Your outstanding leadership brings great creditupon yourself, the Arkansas National Guard and theUnited States Army,” reads the citation.Staff Sgt. Wendy Forbs receives the Army AchievementMedal from Capt. Joshua Simmons, HHCcommander, and HHC 1st Sgt. Michael Sims during aceremony at battalion headquarters March 1.Essayons Page 19

Two from Charlie Company hit road to re-enlistSgt. Rudy Rivas, Jr., and Sgt. Ronald S. Griffindecided to hit the road and re-enlist in the ArkansasArmy National Guard.Rivas and Griffin are members of the 875th EngineerBattalion’s Charlie Company, and were recentlyon a route clearance patrol near Balad, Iraq, whenthey took the oath of enlistment.While on a short stop along a main supply route,Capt. Timothy Norman, C Company commander,administered the oath to Rivas and Griffen as 411thEngineer Brigade Command Sgt. Maj. Billy Knoxlooked on. Knox was riding along with the 3rd Platoonpatrol as an observer.Once the two took the oath, the team returned totheir route clearance vehicles and the patrol pushedon in the critical search for improvised explosivedevices. The 875th is six months into a yearlong deploymentin support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.Left: Sgt. Rudy Rivas, Jr., takes the oath of re-enlistment from Capt. Timothy Norman, Charlie Company commanderalong a main supply route in Iraq, as 411th Engineer Brigade Command Sgt. Maj. Ricky Knox looks on.Right: 411th Command Sgt. Maj. Knox congratulates Sgt. Ronald Griffin after Capt. Norman administered theoath of re-enlistment to Griffin while Charlie Company’s 3rd Platoon conducted a route clearance patrol.Curtis promoted to E4Kevin Curtis of Paragould, Ark., was promotedfrom Pvt. 1st Class to Specialist at a ceremony at LogisticsSupport Area Anaconda, Iraq, March 18.Curtis is a member of the Arkansas Army NationalGuard’s 875th Engineer Battalion, 3rd Platoon, CharlieCompany. The 875th is six months into a yearlongdeployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.Sgt. 1st Class Joshua Wheeler, Curtis’ platoonsergeant, pinned the 20 year old Soldier with his newE4 rank in the Charlie Company headquarters.Curtis has one son, Conner, and is a member ofone of the battalion’s critical route clearance teams.“Charlie Company would like to congratulateSpc. Curtis and wish him all success in his militarycareer,” said Capt. Timothy Norman, C Companycommander.Kevin Curtis of Paragould, Ark., is pinned a Specialistby Sgt. 1st Class Joshua Wheeler during a promotionceremony at LSA Anaconda March 18. Curtis is amember of 3rd Platoon, Charlie Company, 875th EngineerBattalion, and is serving a yearlong deployment.Essayons Page 20

Six months, continued from page 11...role to play inside and outside the wire. We alsohave a backup plan to the backup plan. I think thosetwo things have put us in a position where we’re settingourselves up for success.”Even so, some of the battalion’s success may beattributed to the changes the men and women havegone through during the taxing deployment.“I think some of our younger guys have grown upa lot,” said Norman. “Our biggest change is with thematurity of the younger guys. It’s a serious game outthere, and they realize that. I think that when we gethome, the families will see a seriousness in the guys.”“The families might see somebody who’s a lotmore confident,” added Roy. “They’ll definitely seesomeone who won’t drive the same way.”“We didn’t know what we were getting into whenwe left,” said Simmons, “but now we have a lot ofpride because we’ve actually been over here, in acombat zone, and have done our jobs. I think peoplewill see a lot of pride when we return home.”“We’re definitely more experienced than whenwe left home,” said Moore. “But we’re still beautifulAlpha Company, as we always have been,” he addedwith a laugh.So, how far has the 875th come in six months?Col. Anslow put the answer in academic terms:“I think we’re approaching graduate-level work at thispoint in time. We’re now at the point where we havedeveloped our own techniques, and we’re manipulatingand utilizing equipment in ways that weren’tanticipated when they were designed. We’re nowdesigning and evolving the techniques and tactics weuse, as opposed to just going through the rote mannerof performing a day-to-day mission.“I think we’re a mature organization that hasfound ways to be efficient and effective in the utilizationof our resources,” she explained.“On a scale of one to 10, in unit performance, I’dgive us a nine, an eight or nine out of 10, based juston what we’ve been able to accomplish out on theroad,” said Roy.“We’ve asked these Soldiers to do things thatthey’ve never had to do before, and never thought ofdoing before. They have already superseded theirpredecessors by a long shot,” he continued.“I think that the families will see, when we getback home, a Soldier who is more mature, and challengedin ways that they hadn’t thought they wouldbe when they started their military careers,” explainedAnslow. “But these men and women have wonderfullystepped up to the challenge, and have done afantastic job, proving that they are capable and worthyof doing whatever the nation needs of them.”Peters promoted to Master SergeantEdward Peters, center, is pinned as a Master Sgt.by Lt. Col. Patricia Anslow March 9, while Capt.Joshua Simmons, HHC commander, updates therank on Peter’s hat.Edward R. Peters was promoted from Sgt. 1stClass to Master Sgt. March 9 during a ceremony atCamp Striker, Iraq.Peters, a native of Burlington, Vt., is deployedwith the 875th Engineer Battalion, and serves as thebattalion motor sergeant. He is normally a memberof the Vermont Army National Guard’s 131stEngineer Company, which is attached to the 875thduring the battalion’s yearlong deployment to Iraq.Lt. Col. Patricia Anslow, 875th Engineer Battalioncommander, presented Peters with his newrank as Capt. Joshua Simmons, HHC commanderupdated his uniform hat.Peters is a 1975 graduate of Winooski HighSchool in Winooski, Vt., and is married to Debra M.Peters. He is a 31 year veteran of the Army NationalGuard.Essayons Page 21