591st Engineer Company (Sapper) Newsletter June 2011

Company CommanDErs CornEr CPT MARK WELCH

WOW- Another blazing hot month has come and gone so fast it seems like it went in faster than a lightning bolt. We have settled in and begun our true operations as the Route Clearance Company we were sent here to be. As we arrived and settled our higher headquarters we are working for switched out. We are now getting to know a little about how to support a Cavalry unit. A small change from working with the Infantry but we all have one common goal- complete the mission and return home safely 100% intact. Additionally, we have stepped up to the plate and begun an Advise Train and Assist partnership with an Iraqi Army Field Engineer Regiment. Business wise the company feels like Google taking off as the 591st is now the talk of the town and we have become high demand for our services. The XO and 1SG will tell you more about our adventures in the next couple pages. Aside from the route clearance patrols and partnership the company has been very proud of the Soldiers who represent the 591 st as we have seen many promotions and E4s getting promotable status to SGT over the last 30 days. It is truly a privilege to see Soldiers being recognized for their performance as leaders. I am going to talk about a Soldier, one of many to be very proud of: PFC Holzinger was promoted to the rank SPC through the orders of the United States Forces Iraq. This is the first time in my 16 year career I have seen a Battle Field Promotion and based on his driven work ethic and leadership potential he is very deserving of a higher rank and responsibility. I hope to see more Soldiers who deserve this honor get the same recognition in the future. By the way, all this came from the hard work and effort of the Soldier, the hard work and effort of the platoon leadership and most importantly in this stage, the hard work and consistent pursuit of this promotion by 1SG Skidmore. This unit is blessed to have such a fine Senior Noncommissioned Officer lead from the front yet have a working relationship with each Soldier from SFC to PVT. We have had our share of goodbyes this month as two of our finest in SSG Bryant and PFC Holland return to the rear for conditions beyond their control. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Bryant family as they go through a trying time and PFC Holland returns for surgery to his knee, we look forward to getting them back with the team once we re-deploy. Also, we had two well respected Soldiers prepare to leave the service in pursuit of their dreams after the military. We thank them for what they have done as both were recognized prior to leaving theater. These fine young men will achieve anything they set their mind to as they are winners and represented the 591st and 326th with distinction. Good luck to SPC Morton and SPC Diaz, they served this country honorably and that is all I could ever ask as a commander. On July 6th, I look forward to seeing as many of the FRG that can make it as I will be back on R/R. We will talk about the current activities of our team, the future considerations of the company while deployed as well as upon our return, and basically have an open forum to talk about the FRGs future. I have committed myself to get not only the newsletter but pictures of your spouses, friends, sons, and grandsons on the 326th Engineer Battalion Face-book so take a moment and take a look. The starting photos do not have write ups but in the future we will identify the people and actions. Last comment on FRG, I want it to be a conduit of information both from the front to the rear and rear to the front, a friendly group who look forward to getting together, and a source of social and military support. Until Next Month, Take Care, God Bless, and GO PHILLIES. CPT Mark Welch

FIrst sErGEants soap BoX 1SG KEITH SKIDMORE

Hello, again! The Sappers of the 591st have kept busy this month. They have participated in constant route clearance operations and tying in with the Iraqi Armys engineers as well. Their professionalism and progress in our new area of operation has been applauded at higher echelons up to the Commanding General of U.S. Forces in Iraq, be proud of them. This month we had the honor of promoting Jonathan Garza to Staff Sergeant. Michael McConnell received his Corporal stripes, the first step in the realm of being a Noncommissioned Officer. Another first for me happened when Joseph Holzinger was approved for a battlefield promotion to Specialist. We were also honored to promote Kyle Watson and Darrell Dockery to Specialist, Ronny MoyaPanniagua, and Dennis Chua to Private First Class as well. I would like to congratulate SGT Eric Westbrook, SPC Matthew Cascio, and SPC Jamal Lucas on successfully passing the promotion board and receiving their promotable status. I would also like to say good luck to SPC Miltiades Diaz and SPC Douglas Morton as they leave the Company and the US Army to start new careers. I am hearing that a lot rumors are floating around back home concerning our redeployment date. We will let you know as soon as we know, but expect a full 12 month tour. If it is less, we will all be happy. Until next month, be safe!

SSG Seth Walls pinning SSG Jonathan Garzas new rank.

SSG Jay Kavanagh welcoming CPL Michael McConnell to the NCO ranks

The 591st s newly promoted NCOs and Soldiers

Xos two CEnts CPT DONALD GUSTAVSON

SPCs Diaz and Morton after receiving their awardsthey will be sorely missed!

Hello to all. 1SG talked about some of the promotions we have had over the past month. It is always a great thing to see people get the recognition and reward they deserve from hard work and performance. It is another reminder that your men are getting the job done out here in all areas regardless of the circumstances. We recently had a farewell awards ceremony for SPCs Miltiades Diaz and Douglas Morton. They will be heading back to the States soon due to their upcoming release from the Army. They were both former 2nd Platoon members but the entire Company will miss them for the way they always got the job done with a great attitude. Their humor in the worst times kept us sane. They can drink a cold beer back in the States knowing they are part of a small minority who have served this Nation honorably in a time of war. Finally, the operations section and maintenance team have continued to kick butt up in COB Speicher. SFC Ipatzi has taken over the reins as Operations Sergeant and has done an incredible job managing the personnel, resourcing, and operations of the entire Company. The last 5 months have gone by fast and we intend to work hard til the end. All good things, CPT Donald Gustavson

PFCs Mead and Hutchinson receiving the Combat Medical Badge and Combat Action Badge, respectively.

The company headquarters section has continued to do an outstanding job ensuring that the line Platoons are fully resourced and supported to conduct their combat mission. Our mechanics, supply team, communications, operations personnel, and company command team work their butts off and maintain a positive attitude.

LT Gus, SPC Ingarra of the 391st EN CO on loan to us, and PFC Gibson take a quick photo op during some training with the FER. The mechanics have been a huge help to the Iraqis in refining their maintenance program.

Mechanics working on the Deer, a Chinese Toyota knockoff that was salvaged from the scrap yard. They had it runningfor a while.

1SG Skidmore watches over SAPPERLAND

SGT Wade at work and smiling on one of our Route Clearance vehicles. He is rocking some awesome coveralls.

PFC Commo Jones at work during one of our patrols. PFC Jones has worked long hours ensuring all of our complicated communications systems stay up and running

Newly promoted SPC Dockery looking good out on mission when he isnt beating everyone at horseshoes.

SPCs Morton and Diaz saying their farewells to the Company prior to leaving theater. It was sad to see these great Soldiers go but great to see them get the recognition they deserve for a job well done!

Our Company Commander speaks with Iraqi Army leadership about future training events and joint patrols. Ensuring that our counterparts are prepared to take over our mission once we depart is a key component to our success.

1LT RYAN ROCCO OCONNOR

SFC MICHAEL THE BEAST COMFORT

Hello again from Iraq! Congratulations to SPC Lucas and SPC Cascio who earned their promotable status on their next step to becoming NCOs. Our condolences go out to SSG Bryant and his family whos Father has become ill causing SSG Bryant to return home we will miss his leadership. Happy Birthday to Mrs. Cascio and Mrs. Hutchinson who had their birthdays this month, so how old are you really ladies? 1st PLT has remained very busy this month, between clearing routes, training, and physical fitness. We have also continued to assist the Iraqi Engineers in their training. The Soldiers enjoy training with them and being able to learn about their culture. Our camaraderie as a team is bonded through trading patches between the Soldiers. Pictures say 1,000 words and here below are a few of the platoon. Please look for more photos of your loved ones on facebook at The 326th Engineer Battalion, 591st photos. Enjoy.
PFC Hunt Skelator Breathes fire, an illusion from the Oil Refinery

SPC Brown and his new friend Steven from the Baji Oil Refinery, Sappers make friends in the darndest of places.

PFC Mead interacting With Iraqi Police

Sappers taking some down time.

SGT Casoose JuneBug Demonstrating the proper technique Of an officer being technically and tactically proficient??? SGT Deweese radio check over? SFC Comfort roger I am 1 foot away - one day you too will be a SFC 1LT OConnor, SGT Woeltje And SGT Deweese, a meeting of The minds, it was a small meeting

PFC Ross chillin after a mission, thats what he does on mission too. So I guess he is always on missions. Just Joking.

1LT RYAN ROCCO OCONNOR

SFC MICHAEL THE BEAST COMFORT

1ST Platoon SAPPERS EAT THEIR DEAD

Til Next Month- Take Care and God Bless

2LT JAMES TASK FORCE LOWE

SSG SETH IRON MAN WALLS

SPC EARLY Hey just throwing a shout out to my wife and my mother. I love you all and I cant wait to be in the States. I am doing fine and time is going by fast! You guys know the drill. Love ya. I would also like to say thank you to the 591st Veterans Association. Thank you guys for the sacrifices you have made and the support you provide to us.

PFC THOMAS Hello mom and Megan! I miss you all. I am doing okay and I will be home soon. Keep me in your prayers and wishes. I will be home before you know it. For my son Tylan, I love you and I am ready to get back home to you.

PFC HOLTCLAW Hey, just want to let my family know Im doing well and I hope you guys are too. Thank you to everyone for all the support and prayers. I will be home before you know it. I miss you all!

SPC WEEKS Hi to everybody reading this, Im doing awesome, and thank you all for your support. I will be back shortly and cannot wait to be back in the States with everyone again. To the 591st Veterans Association: thank you guys for the newsletters and keeping us up to date while we are here. The support you provide has greatly helped to raise the spirits of your fellow Sappers!

1LT Huey Schmidt

SFC McVay Tippett

The Soldiers of 3rd Platoon is doing well here in our new home at COB Speicher, Iraq. Our mission tempo has picked up and this keeps us busy and happy. If you dont like the weather at Speicher just wait three minutes or three days depending. We get more than our fair share of dusty lung. Its awesome when visibility on the roads goes from 100% to negative 10% in minutes, but we do love a challenge. We decided to stray from a Platoon photo this month and instead decided on showing one of the locals in the area. We hope you are all safe and well and know that we miss you all everyday.

Why we are here, in case anyone forgot.

SPC Hufford

This is the Iraqi traffic police at checkpoint, go ahead and speed.

SFC Tippett and PFC Anglin operating equipment at an adjacent units compound during their free time. This work was much needed for the development of their new living area. PFC Anglin in a chopper

PFC Flanagan: The gyms that way.

2nd Squad after a hard night of training.

SPC Holzinger and PFC Rodriguez: I have no idea whats going on here, but theyre the two best friends that anybody could ever have

Soldiers seen here are conducting vehicular Medical evacuation training. It looks like a bad day but only for pretend.