A 12-month deployment that started in Iraq has come to an end for 15 U.S. engineers, as they pack their gear and head for Afghanistan.
The Soldiers from the 46th Engineer Combat Battalion (Heavy) will make up the 31st Concrete Team to improve the quality of life for Soldiers fighting in Afghanistan. The concrete mission will take the team to new territory, but the Soldiers say they’re ready.
“I’ve deployed to Afghanistan once before,” said Staff Sgt. Wesley Roach, team leader with 46th ECB (H). “This time will be very interesting. I’m not sure what all of our jobs will be, but we will
definitely be helping to build up forward operating bases (FOB) in the outlying areas of Kandahar. I’m really looking forward to getting out there.”
“The 31st Concrete Team’s presence will be vital to the Kandahar Province,” said Capt. Kimberly Cowlin, commander, Headquarters and Support Company, 46th ECB (H). “They will construct reinforced concrete pads to provide improved living quarters, maintenance and other support facilities for Soldiers on several expanding forward operating bases.”
Over the last 12 months, the concrete team has received numerous praises for improving the living conditions of their fellow Soldiers who spend hours patrolling the hot, dusty streets. Simple comforts of home like electricity, air conditioning and showers can make a big difference at the end of the day for the hard-working Soldiers. The 31st Concrete Team hopes to add the Soldiers in Afghanistan to the list of happy customers.
“The 31st Concrete team was (formed) approximately two months ago in order to improve the quality of life for Soldiers deploying to the Afghanistan theatre of operations,” said Sgt. 1st Class James Dean, an equipment platoon sergeant with the 46th ECB (H). “The 15 hand-picked warriors have been conducting concrete missions over the last 12 months here in Iraq. They are truly the technical experts.”
As Roach waited for his flight to Afghanistan on June 1, the team leader could not hide his excitement about his new mission.
“I can’t wait to get there to know exactly what we are going to be doing so we can get the job done,” Roach said.
According to Maj. Jared Erickson, Future Operations, 46th ECB (H), while in Afghanistan, the 31st Concrete Team will be assigned to the 19th Engineer Battalion, based in Fort Knox, Ken. The battalion provides Army engineer support to U.S. Forces in Afghanistan, through the 25th Naval Construction Regiment.
The 31st Concrete Team will rejoin the 46th ECB (H) at Fort Polk in the fall of 2009 when the remainder of the battalion ends their tour in Iraq.