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Company Commanders Corner

CPT Mark H. Welch

In this Issue: First Sergeants Soap Box XOs Two Cents 1st Platoon

3 5 6

2nd Platoon
3rd Platoon

9
11

Where to begin for the Month of August is a tough spot to start. Lets begin with what day of the week is it? Or has the sun risen already? Those are questions that pop up from time to time based on the high operational tempo at the moment. The platoons have done an incredible job adjusting to missions that change on a moments notice. During August the company really shined in Iraq clearing routes to allow others to go home safely to their families, conducting demolition ranges with Infantry Companies as well as our Iraqi Counterparts, and completing many training requirements. 1SG Skidmore departed on leave and SFC Ipatzi did a commendable job in his absence. Our prayers go out to him for the next selection Board to Master Sergeant that occurs later this fall. For the Soldiers benefit and morale we conducted an all hands bar-b-que. The platoons competed in games of mental toughness and physical strength and endurance.

First Platoon had a great month that included one of the awesome moments as they took a picture (see page 8) that captured the culminating blast on the demolition range. This is definitely a keeper in the Sapper Photo Collection as they represented themselves, the 591st EN CO and the POW MIAs always remembering they Will Never Be Forgotten. During the month the company received a command visit lead by MAJ Morgan and MAJ Hoyman along with CSM Hart. Overall assessment is that the 591st is doing pretty darn good as we run the show within the 1-5 CAV boundaries. One thing for sure is that they were left in the dust by CPT Gustavson and 1LT OConnor during a cross-fit workout that is not for the feint or weak hearted. CPT Gus moving out on with good form and a 45 pound weight to build the core strength. In the background is CPT Diaz, our Intel Officer and standing behind him is MAJ Hoyman the new Battalion Executive Officer. To be honest all of these guys are PT Studs that set the example for others to follow. CSM Hart went on a mission during his VIP visit to see how the platoon operates and provide some Senior NCO guidance. This mission ended up more like the boat trip on Gilligans Island for us older folk. It started out to be a short 6 hour mission and ended up to be our longest mission of the deployment at 15 hours and here is why!!! Recovery Vehicle #1, it Our Vehicle, just
did not do so well so it needed a little help from his friend also known as recovery vehicle #2

your normal breakdown

Introducing the hero of the day, Recovery Vehicle 2.

Back to Awesome 591st Story- the unit had so many Soldiers earn company coins, promotable statuses, and continue executing their missions and I am blessed and proud to be their Commander. The 1SG will identify those personnel, but as a company we grow on a daily basis as the We Strike Family and remain focused on our task at hand. Once we return to Fort Campbell we can sit back and reflect on these moments that will leave us with the memories of our efforts on Route Clearance Operations to reduce the IEDs in USD-N and provide safe passage to all. Until Next Month, Take Care, GOD Bless, and Go Phillies / GO Eagles

First Sergeants Soap Box

by 1SG K. Skidmore

Another month has come and gone, bringing us a little closer to returning to our family and loved one. As we get closer to transferring this country back to the Iraqi people communications home are going to become more and more difficult. As you know the post office here on Speicher is scheduled to shut sown on the 10th of September and now the fate of the internet service provider has come into question. I will try to keep you up to date on avenues available to talk with your Soldier through Bethany (tag your it, Bethany) Highsmith. Just remember, the way this is going to work over the next few months is that it is going to get harder and more difficult before it gets any better.
The Company had a good month for promotions. Jared Deweese added his first rocker with his promotion to Staff Sergeant , the other Jared, Jared Martin and Steven Weeks joined the NCO Corps with their promotion to Sergeant. Chase Buettner was promoted to Specialist and Kayron Brooks and Travis Sloan were promoted to Private First Class. Also, SPC Christopher McConnell was awarded the Good Conduct Medal. Congratulations to all. I just returned from leave a few days ago. While I was at home I had the opportunity to participate in a Family Readiness Group meeting. Thank you to all those that attend voluntarily and even involuntarily. As I have said before, if you have any questions or issues you need help with please send them to me through Bethany (got ya again) Highsmith and I will address them as soon I can. Also, while at home I got the chance to see some of the newest members of the 591st Family. Congratulation go out to SGT Eric and Dorierann Westbrook on the arrival of Quinn and to SGT Nicholas and Mandy May on the birth of Madalynn. Just a reminder for all the families, due to current operations and requirements the internet and other communications systems my become scarce over the next few months, We will try to keep everyone updated as best as possible. Until next month, be safe.

Augusts promotions and awards

SSG Jared Deweese

SGT Jared Martin and SGT Steven Weeks

SPC Chase Buettner, PFC Kayron Brooks and PFC Travis Sloan

SPC Christopher McConnell

Ramblings of a Mad XO
by CPT Donald A. Gus Gustavson

Actually he is just on leave

FIRST Platoon
1LT RYAN ROCCO OCONNOR SFC MICHAEL THE BEAST COMFORT
Hello to everyone back home. Once again the PLT has had a busy month in AUG. Everyone is beginning to see that this deployment will soon be over and we will be back home with our loved ones in a few months. This month was spent in conducting patrols, beating ourselves up at the gym, enjoying a company BBQ, and working with the Iraqi Army on route clearance. The highlight of this month was being able to go out on 27 AUG and conduct a PLT demolition range. Some of the pictures in this newsletter will be from that range. Sappers always love blowing things up. As PFC Eason stated at the range, This isnt a range this is a big Sapper playground, over there on that tank is our jungle gym. Until next month. To all our loved ones back home we miss you. ROME 17

LT OConnor 1ST in Arm Wrestling

PFC Eason & PFC Hutchinson stomping the competition at spades

Sappers in the Breach

SGT Hitchcock showing his PLT Spirit

Just wanted to say hi to my beautiful wife Kaitlin and my dog, Captain. A few months to go, keep it up. Love Justin

FIRST Platoon
Everything is going good. Thank you for all the care packages and stuff. Hope to see you all soon. PFC Ross Hey, everything is good thanks For the care packages, hope to see everybody soon PFC Covalcine

To Courtney, my lovely wife I Love You and will see you very soon on R&R. To Waylan, Miss ya little man and when Dad gets home we will give Mom a little break. Love Ya, SSG Deweese

Thank you to all of my family and friends for all their great love and support They have shown me! Love and miss all of you SHNOOGINS! PFC Clark
To all the people back home that support us, thanks for everything. To my Great Wife, Love you so much and Ill be Home ASAP. Miss you honey.

FIRST Platoon
ONLY THE STRONG
Sapper Eagle Air Assault

1/591 and Soldiers from A/1-5 CAV finish training with a Bang

SECOND Platoon
2LT JAMES TF LOWE LOWE SFC ERiC RANGER RiCK PRESCOTT Despite the sweltering 120 degree plus weather in August at the height of the summer in Iraq, 2nd Platoon continued to work with a sense of purpose, running Missions, conducting training, and working with the Iraqi Army and Iraqi Police. Conducting Missions almost every other day, the Platoon cleared three different routes, supporting US and Coalition mobility throughout Salah ad Din. In addition to a Mission focus, 2nd Platoon also conducted multiple training events including training members of 1-5 CAV on Engineer equipment, tactics, and techniques, conducting a demolitions range, and conducting a rifle range. In keeping with the focus of Operation New Dawn, the Platoon continued to train and conduct Route Clearance Patrols with the Iraqi Armys 4th Field Engineer Regiment, successfully clearing multiple routes and continuing to build the vital skills they will need to protect their country when US Forces return home. During the Rifle Range, 2nd Platoon Soldiers gained confidence in their equipment by rezeroing their personal weapons and conducting night familiarization fire, using both visible and infrared lasers in conjunction with their night vision goggles and tracers. Keeping proficient on basic Soldier skills, like rifle marksmanship is imperative in staying sharp in the fight.

2/591 and 4th FER Soldiers receive a Patrol Brief 2nd Platoon leads the charge for the 591st EN CO in conducting Route Clearance Patrols with the Iraqi 4th FER, helping build partnership, trust, and confidence. Soldiers and Leaders are familiar by now with working with the 4th FER, having completed multiple successful missions, each time honing the skills of our Iraqi counterparts.

The firing line through night vision goggles during night fire

SECOND Platoon
One of the best ways to learn about new equipment is to see it and use it in action. In keeping with this idea, 2nd Platoon provided valuable hands-on training for our 1-5 CAV counterparts in order to train them on our capabilities and built confidence in our abilities. After seeing our equipment in action, 1-5 CAV was so impressed they requested demolitions training, which 2nd Platoon provided to select personnel later in the month. During demolitions training, Soldiers and Team Leaders led the charge to properly train our Infantry brothers in arms, and successfully lead each shot in a safe and efficient manner.

SAPPER

2/591 and B/1-5 Soldiers build a charge

The Breach Team properly sets up a rubber strip charge

AIR ASSAULT

THIRD Platoon
1LT BENJAMiN HUGHEY SCHMiDT SFC AARON SMART TiPPETT

3rd PLT and Iraqi Army EOD and Engineers after some Demo fun. Poor SPC Watson, and I have no idea whats going on with PFC Boadi.

This might not buff out. PFC Anglins new ride

THIRD Platoon
Hey pops hey Joe! Everything is going good just counting down the days we get to leave this place. Cant wait to see you guys and relax and have a few cold ones. Love Ya, Anthony

Hi Mom! I hope that your recovery is going good. Everything is good here. I hope the rest of you are doing well. Ill see you soon. Love Shaun

SGT Hayes arm wrestles PFC Gibson during the AUG unit BBQ. He took 1st place in his weight class overall.

Hey Family! Just wanted to let you all know I am doing great out here and all is well! Miss you tons and cant wait to see all of you again! Especially you Lindsay, My Lil Croissant.

Hello to all my friends and family back home. I love and miss you guys tons. I want to send a special shout out to my parents (mom & dad love you guys and thank you for all youve done for me.) Cant wait to get home and spend some time in AZ. Take care and see yall soon..Oh yeah, GO CARDINALS DIAMONDBACKS!!!