headquarters headquarters company 411th engineer brigade “the

J o i n t T a s k F o r c e E m p i r e ! 1 N o v e m b e r 2 0 1 2 Page 0

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Headquarters Headquarters Company411th Engineer Brigade

“The Brigade of Choice”


Commander’s Corner CPT Brian Mykulak, Commanding

The Soldiers of the HHC 411th Engineer Brigade hadanother great month. We completed many moremission and tasks, but nothing is more important than that of the "double digit" milestone.

The Company has breached into double digits in days remaining in theater. Although it is a milestone that many Soldiers watch and gauge the deployment by, our Soldiers continue to give their primary focus to the mission at hand. As our deployment rolls on and the days and weeks fly by, the dedication the Soldiers of 411th provide to our down trace Soldiers on the front lines is irreproachable.

As the holidays near, all our Soldiers wanted to give a big Happy Thanksgiving to all of our families and friends back home who will be celebrating without us this year. Sure we will have our turkey and stuffing (maybe even some ribs and chicken) army style this year, it will not be the same without our loved ones. This year however, we do get to spend our special meal with our additional family that being our brothers and sisters in arms and the Soldiers of the HHC 411th Engineer Brigade.

Happy Thanksgiving from the 411th Engineer Brigade!

ESSAYONS

Please feel free to contact me with your questions and comments. [email protected]

Cover Photo

Specialist Miguel Martillo is presented the Purple Heart from LTG James L. Terry SSG Derek Smith Photo, 411th Engineer Brigade PAO

Mailing AddressesSoldier Full Name411TH EN BDE BAGRAM AIR FIELD APO, AE 09354

Soldier Full Name411th EN BDECamp LeatherneckAPO, AE 09372

Soldier Full Name411th EN BDEKandahar AirfieldAPO AE 09355

Soldier Full Name411th EN BDECamp MarmalAPO AE 09368

MAJ Joseph VerasteguiACAG-KAIA-NCJENGAPO, AE 09320

LTC Tong CPT NelsonSFC Johnson SGT Mack, CSPC Edwards SPC Rodriguez

1LT Caesar SGT Rice SFC Sanchez SGT PoandlSPC Ghazaii SPC Conboy

MAJ Hults CPT LeeSFC ArmanoPFC CosmeSPC Gonzalez

AAAuuuggguuusssttt 111555,,, 222000111222VVVooollluuummmeee 111,,, IIIssssssuuueee 888

mailto:[email protected]


From the Top 1SG Charles C. ReedFirst Sergeant

Hello Families, Friends, and Supporters of the 411th Team. Itis time again for another installment of The Protectors.

It was a typical and normal past two weeks. That was, until last night (31 Oct). When I left the office it was dark and the moon was full. An ominous cloud surrounded the moon. Not thinking anything of it, I went to chow and then to my hotel suite. I wasn’t in my room long before there was a

knock on the door. To my surprise, I had trick and treaters. Upon gazing at the outfits I knew the trick was on me so I did not give them any treats. All the more I am going to say is, see page 12 and it will give you an insight of my thoughts at the time. I hope you all enjoyed your Halloween.

I don’t get an opportunity to watch the news much, but have

found myself trying just a little bit harder of late. Naturally, the World Series had my attention (I thought we were the only winning team from New York), the upcoming elections, and of late Hurricane Sandy. I recognize that a lot of our families were in her path and we all pray for the welfare and safety of our folks at home.

We are getting excited about the next big holiday coming up. That’s right, General George S. Patton, Jr.’s birthday is the

11th of November. He was born 127 years ago. He also shares the day with Veteran’s Day. Initially Armistice Day,

established in remembrance of the end of WW I. The day has grown to recognize all Veterans and the sacrifices they have made for our country, in times of peace and war. So, on behalf of the team, we recognize and thank all of the Veterans out there. We also add thanks to all of the families that also sacrificed while their Service member served.

Our Public Affairs Office as published the October edition of The Empire Report. Please share this with our support team.

http://www.dvidshub.net/publication/issues/11055

I, along with SSG Robert, had the chance to make a quick trip down to Kandahar. Expecting nothing less, I found them all to be in good shape, high spirits and extremely productive. Besides seeing the Soldiers, one of my highlights was being able to have eggs to order. If you were wondering, I had two eggs over-medium and supped it up with buttered wheat toast. It was the best meal I have had in months. In Bagram, at the infamous BB Que Dining Facility, you get greenish scrambled eggs. The only choice you actually get is to eat them or throw them out.

Upon returning to BAF, I have had the chance to greet other Soldiers that I have not seen for a little while. SPC Ghazaii had stopped in on his way to his new assignment in RC-SW.

Private Cosme was here for a few days from RC-SW and

SGT Poandl and SFC Sanchez had a mission that brought them through here as well from RC-N. MAJ Verastegui is down from Kabul for a meeting. It was the first many of us have seen him since he went north six months ago. Getting to visit with Soldiers, whether it is me getting out or them coming in, remains the highlight of the day.

In this edition of The Protectors, the sections have done a good job providing us updates. They discuss business and add a little humor at times. We even have been provided pictures of a few Soldiers that we have not seen in here for a few editions.

Those sections that aren’t included will hopefully have new

updates for our mid-month.

We have had several high ranking visitors the past two weeks. I find with rank comes coins. Leaders love to recognize Soldiers when they are doing well. If that’s what

they like they picked the right place to visit. Most of the time they run out of coins before they run out of our super warriors. In addition to coins, we have had a few promotions and even awards and recognition.

We sent two of our Soldiers home over the past two weeks. MSG Novielli had routine surgery. I spoke to him while he was in Germany, following the surgery and he is doing extremely well. Jack, we wish you well and a speedy healing process.

The other Soldier, as mentioned in the Command Group Update, is SPC Tallion Abbott. He zigged when he should have zagged and ended up fracturing his wrist. He was essentially conducting his daily duties when the accident occurred. We wish him a speedy recovery as well.

SSG Art Taylor, had knee surgery in Qatar. I said before he left, he could not do a slow waltz. He returned this week and I saw him doing an Irish River Dance. I say his surgery went well. It is good to have him back on the team at 110%.

Looking ahead, we have holidays coming up that don’t

involve Gen. Patton. If you are sending packages for Christmas, this is your reminder to plan ahead. Typically, you will want to have them in the mail by December the 8th.That gives you a month to procrastinate.

As always, you all have been doing a good job with the cards, letters and packages. Give yourselves a pat on the back and keep em’ coming. Enough with the sweets and

candies though, we want to be slim and trim when we come and we are now at three months.

And, my final reminder is to get out on Tuesday and vote.

Feel free to e-mail your questions and comments. [email protected] or [email protected]

http://www.dvidshub.net/publication/issues/11055



J o i n t T a s k F o r c e E m p i r e ! 1 N o v e m b e r 2 0 1 2

Page 3

Awards and Achievements

The past two weeks have been very diverse in activities.

First, right after the last edition of The Protectors was

released; we received a visit from our peacetime higher

headquarters in the form of the Commanding General of the

412th Theater Engineer Command, Major General William

M. Buckler and his Command Sergeant Major, and no

stranger to the 411th, Ronald Flubacher.

The 412th Command Team, when not attending special

briefings, had the opportunity to visit with their Soldiers.

They shared their meals with different groups of Soldiers and

at each event, the 412th Command Team was able to present

the 412th Commander Coins of Excellence to our Soldiers in

recognition of the dedication to the mission and their high

level of performance.

Receiving the recognition were: Private First Class, Brett

Schlosser; Specialist John Owen, Gary Sandlin, Milton

Casiano, Andrea Estes, David Matrazzo, Shana Kovatch,

Ray Mendock; Corporals Shakira Burnett and Domingo

Fung; Sergeant Aaron Majors; Staff Sergeant Jose Negron;

Sergeant First Class Luis Melendez, Second Lieutenants

Benjamin Rowland and Dennis Miller and First Lieutenants

Brett Knutson and Michael Jackson.

Lieutenant General James L. Terry, Commander of V Corps

and International Security Assistance Force Joint Command

(IJC), recently visited our command where he received

briefings on our current and future operations as the sole

Engineer Brigade in country by Brigadier General Weeks and

his staff. Following the briefs, LTG Terry addressed a few of

our Soldiers. He then awarded the Purple Heart to Specialist

Miguel Martillo.

Lt. Gen. Terry also presented Specialist Miguel Martillo,

Medical Team, Sergeant Edwin Jiman, G2 Section and Staff

Sergeant Robert Francis, Headquarters Section with the IJC

Commander’s Coin of Excellence in recognition of the

outstanding professionalism in which they serve and the

contributions they individually make toward the mission.

f

IJC Commander, Lt. Gen. James L. Terry addresses a group of Soldiers during his recent visit.

Specialist Miguel Martillo of

the Medical Team was presented

the Purple Heart form the IJC

Commander, Lt. Gen. James Terry.

SPC Martillo was assigned as a

medic to one of our subordinate

units and, while out on mission,

was in the proximity of an

explosion which caused a mild

concussion. SPC Martillo is doing

well and even assisted treating

other Soldiers during the event.

He anxiously waits rejoining his

brothers-in-arms.

(Above, Left) Specialist Miguel Martillo,

(Above Right) Sergeant Edwin Jiman and

(Left) Staff Sergeant Francis Robert all

receive the IJC Commander’s Coin of

Excellence presented by Lt. Gen, Terry, IJC

Commander.

All Soldiers were recognized by their

leadership based on their outstanding and

professional contributions to meeting

mission objective.

Throughout the past several weeks, our Soldiers have been

able to engage in professional improvement in the form of

classes. Our Medical Team recently hosted a Combat Life

Saver class, which is essentially advanced first aid. This is a

skill we constantly maintain our proficiency on. Recently

completing the course were: Specialists Rafael Corchado,

Tallion Abbott, Daniel Wray, Ronny Alvarez, Ray

Mendock, Meredith Owen, Andrea Estes, Shana Kovatch,

Tony Nguyen, Gary Sandlin, Andrew Myers; Corporal

Shakira Burnett; Sergeants Tara Cupid and Aaron Majors;

Staff Sergeant Krista Jados; Sergeant First Class Carl Rice;

Mr. Marcus Heard; Second Lieutenant Sarah Wildee; Chief

Warrant Officer Two Mindy Larke; Captain Frank Morey

and Major Daren O’Day.

Staff Sergeant James Evans had the opportunity to attend an

explosives handling type of course. Continued Next Page.


Page 4

Continued from previous page

The Brigade Headquarters was able to assemble recently for

a formation. During the formation, the Company

Commander, Captain Brian Mykulak and Brigadier

General David Weeks were able to recognize even more

outstanding achievements of our Warriors.

We started the formation

with promoting one of

our Warriors into the

NCO Corps. Ronny

Alvarez, Judge Advocate

General Team, who

extended his year-long

tour with another unit to

stay and finish up with

us, was promoted to the

rank of Sergeant. His

promotion was well

deserved.

Congratulations!

Derek Sheaffer, of the

Headquarters Section

notoriety, was advanced to

the rank of Specialist.

Specialist Sheaffer is a

diligent warrior who

worked very hard for this

goal.

He made marked

improvement in his

physical readiness,

completed on line training

and has performed his

duties in a noteworthy

manner.

Hooah and Well

Deserved!

The Tactical Operations Team remains on top of their game

and were able to recognize some of their Warriors during

formation. Corporal Kevin Owens, Jr., Specialist Andrew

Myers and Specialist John Owen (pictured bottom, left

column) received Task Force Empire Certificates of

Achievement for the methodical processing of all data and

their innovating techniques to receive, process, track and

present the data has been most noteworthy.

Air Force Captain, Jeremy Kinne, a liaison with the G3

Section, was presented the prestigious Army

Commendation Medal by Brig. Gen. David Weeks in

recognition of the exceptional meritorious achievement

while serving as the Route Carolina Professional

Engineer. His meticulous planning, leadership and work

ethic directly contributed to IJC’s Northern Distribution

Network and the Salong Tunnel mission. Well done and

well deserved! Congratulations!

A big welcome back goes out to Staff Sergeant Art Taylor

after a very successful knee surgery.


Page 5

The Team in the Field Specialists Lindsay Meyer and Brandon Arias, Medical Team

“If you could be one thing for Halloween

what would you be and why?”

Captain Arp Arkun,

Brigade Surgeon:

“I’ve wanted to be a storm

trooper since I was five

years old. My dad is a big

Star Wars fan and it

rubbed off on me.”

Staff Sergeant David

Shatas, Unit Ministry

Team:

“I would be Predator

because I like to hunt

humans and other life

forms”

Specialist William

Thomas, G2 Section:

I would be Tarzan so I

could wear a loin cloth.

Sergeant First Class Kurt

Mollenkopf, G-3 Section:

“I would be Sergeant Major

Jacques because Klingons

are well respected in the

galaxy”

Specialist Derek

Sheaffer, Headquarters

Section:

“I would be a Hawaiian

dancer because I like

the way grass skirts feel

against my bare legs.”

Specialist Ray

Mendock, G7 Section:

I would wear a bow

and be a gift to the

world.

Corporal Shakira

Burnett, G-4 Section:

"If I could be one thing

for Halloween, I would

be a princess because my

grandfather used to call

me Princess."


Page 6

Shout Out to Mrs. Annie Evans, SSG Evans’

mother on including treats for others in her

Halloween Care Package. – 1SG

Picture Shout Out to MSG Betty’s

cousin, PFC Myrie, who is fresh

out of basic as a 16B, Hercules

Missile Crewmember. He will be

stationed in Fort Carson, CO.

Best of Luck!

A big Thank-You Shout Out to all the Veterans,

past and present for your service!

Happy 127th Birthday Shout Out

to General George Smith Patton, Jr.

Shout Out to Specialist Derek

Sheaffer to congratulate him on

making Specialist and to let him know we

appreciate his hard work. – The Headquarters

Section

Shout Out to Sergeant Corrin Mack on scoring a

perfect, 300 points on her Army Physical Fitness

Test.

"Nannie, I'm sorry that I was not able to be there

for your final days. I will always remember you.

Love, Philip"

Photo Shout Out to the 668th and 721st Warriors

who performed in an exemplary manner for the

year while deployed to Afghanistan. Best of Luck

as you return back to the States.

Happy Birthday Wishes

3 Nov – SPC Matthew Conboy

8 Nov – CPT Lawrence Lee

8 Nov – SGT Alexander Peters

11 Nov – GEN George S. Patton, Jr.

G7 Section – RC – North Update Provided by Sergeant Stephen Poandl

Everything is just splendid at the lovely Camp Marmal in

northern Afghanistan. Things are nice and quiet, giving our

team in the north an opportunity to enjoy themselves. The

team remains busy tracking a good amount of construction

projects. Since the last article, there have been a few changes

to the Joint Task Force Empire Coordination Cell North.

Perhaps the most significant news to report is that the RC-

North coordination cell is no more. The team has been

absorbed into a much larger organization, the RC-North

Engineer Tactical Action Center (TAC). For the most part, the

new roles and responsibilities for the former coordination cell

members parallels those previously performed. However, new

shiny titles have been assigned to these roles. As a single,

unified organization working in close quarters with one

another, the RC-North Engineer TAC will accomplish the

goals of two organizations more efficiently, and with better

results.

The group celebrates getting rid of SPC Ghazaii. No, that’s not snow.

The team in the north just got a little smaller with SPC Andrew

Ghazaii moving down south to Camp Leatherneck to work with

MAJ Hults and his team. SPC Ghazaii was looking to pursue

missions that brought him to various other places in

Afghanistan. He was granted the opportunity to provide

support for engineer missions in RC-Southwest. The team in

the north is happy for SPC Ghazaii. A celebration took place on

his last night in the north with cigars and near-beer.


Page 7

Medical Team - Update

Happy Halloween from the medical section! October has

been a very busy time for all of us in the 411th Aid Station.

CPT Arp Arkun and CPT Frank Morey have been working

closely to ensure the brigade headquarters company as well as

our numerous down trace units are prepared and equipped to

deal with the coming cold weather and its associated risks

and injuries. Believe it or not, it does get cold in Afghanistan.

Last year in Bagram temperatures dropped as low as 16F!

SSG Heriberto Santigo, SPC Brandon Arias, SPC Miguel

Martillo and SPC Lindsay Meyer continue to teach combat

life saver (CLS) courses to Soldiers across Bagram Airfield.

To date, they have certified over 45 Soldiers, NCO’s, and

Officers as combat life savers. For those who are wondering

what a combat life saver is, the army defines it as a Soldier

whose secondary mission to provide life saving medical care

to injured Soldiers usually at the point, or shortly after the

point of injury before the medic can reach the patient.

During the course, Soldiers are taught how to be proficient in

assessing patients, taking measures to control life threatening

hemorrhage, manage airways and chest trauma and prepare a

injured Soldier for evacuation. Through classroom instruction

and hands on practical exercises, Soldiers train on each other

using equipment such as the combat application tourniquet,

haemostatic gauze, and nasopharyngeal airways.

Outside the office, SPC Brandon Arias, SPC Miguel

Martillo and SPC Lindsay Meyer have been volunteering at

the local MWR haunted house providing medical support as

well as a scare or two!

CPT John Roker, Jr., SPC Emanuel Alvarez and SPC

TyroneWhite are currently down south at KAF assisting one

of our down trace units as they assume control of their area.

We wish them a safe and speedy return!

PFC Brett Schlosser is supporting one of our down trace

units at FOB Sharana. We also wish him a safe trip.

Captain Arp Arkun and

Staff Sergeant Heriberto

Santiago at the KAF

airport returning from

visiting units.

Obviously by the photo,

it is tough duty and they

then took a well-deserved

siesta.

SSG Santiago CPT

Arkun

SFC Carl Rice receives a nasopharyngeal

airway. Pink Pony passed out during the

procedure.

SPC Gary Sandlin receives his Certificate of

Training from the Med Team.

SPC Ray Mendock practices the tourniquet

as SPC Andrea Estes watches. Medic SPC

Tyrone White, Instructor.

The Class watches a demonstration


Page 8

Greetings from Kandahar! Provided by Sergeant Corrin Mack.

Another two weeks behind us and, as promised, we’ve got an

update on “The Kandahar Banditos,” a.k.a. JTF Empire’s

RC(S) Coordination Cell!

Work has been keeping us all very busy down here, but things

are going well and time is still flying by. On top of the

normal, day-to-day operations that we maintain, we’ve also

recently gone through a change with one of our downtrace in

RC South. The 980th Engineer Battalion, Task Force Lone

Star, completed their mission in Afghanistan and have now

been replaced by the 20th Engineer Battalion, Task Force

Lumberjack. Considering that TF Lone Star has been the

only Engineer Battalion in Southern Afghanistan, they are

leaving behind a legacy and a full plate of future projects for

Lumberjack. During this transfer, we have been called upon

to fill in some of their blanks in order to ensure a seamless

transition. It’s been a bit of a challenge, but nothing that

“Team Awesome” couldn’t handle! Task Force Lumberjack

has been running the show for almost two weeks now and

we’ve got good communications and a way forward in the

fight.

Also, we’ve been preparing to send off our Navy

counterparts. After the 22nd Naval Construction Regiment left

back in August, we were lucky enough to maintain five of

their personnel as part of JTF Empire. They allowed an even

smoother transition for us and our operations in the battle

space as they worked to fill in some of our blanks as the

single Engineer Brigade in theatre. As always, we celebrated

in the typical “Team Kandahar” fashion as LTC Tong sprung

for a pizza party in honor of their departure and a job well

done. Their presence and support will be missed, but we wish

them a safe return home to their families and send much

gratitude and respect for their mission accomplishments.

We’ve been lucky enough to finally have SSG Cush and SPC

Mendock come visit us in Kandahar! It was great to see them

again and have them be a part of our team for a few days. They

SPC Dave Quinones (front) and (backrow), “Arkansa” Dave, CPT Andrew Whaley, CPT Oliver Nelson and

SFC Kevin Johnson enjoy the respite.

came down in support of survey and

design projects and completed a few

missions in our Area of Operations. On

the first mission, SFC Johnson and SPC

Quinones accompanied them on the

survey and CPT Whaley and SGT Mack

supported the team on their second

mission. We got the missions

accomplished efficiently and effectively

and, of course,

found time to socialize and have some

fun while they were here. We’re

looking forward to having them back

for some future missions that will

require additional survey and design

support.

“Team Kandahar” also completed the

Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT)

this past weekend. All members of

JTF Empire were up bright and early on Sunday morning and

headed over to the rubberized track that is enclosed by The

Boardwalk. Our favorite contractor, Mr. Dave Bridges even

joined in and took some excellent pictures of our crew during

the test. SGT Mack was not able to be on KAF for the APFT

on Sunday morning, so she was the lone test taker on Monday.

SGT Mack “maxed” her APFT for the first time in her Army

career…HOOAH! Congrats and good job to all members of

“Team Awesome” for completing the APFT.

Heading up the “Kandahar Banditos” is none other

than the most “Awesome LNO,” LTC Wai Tong.

He has been keeping very engaged with all of the

projects by acting as the liaison between the 3d

Infantry Division, JTF Empire and our downtrace.

The scope of work that the Engineers have on their

plate in the South is quite daunting, but LTC Tong

stays calm, cool and collected and remains focused

on the mission.

Behind every great leader is an

efficient team making things

happen. CPT Andrew Whaley,

CPT Oliver Nelson, SFC Kevin

Johnson and SGT Corrin Mack

are that team for LTC Tong.

They’ve each been filling big

shoes and doing an outstanding

job with their individual

responsibilities and coordination

Greetings From Kandahar, continued on next page.


Page 9

Greetings From Kandahar, continued from previous page

and communication within the group.

The other team that supports all of us as well as the transient

members of JTF Empire consists of SPC David Quinones,

SPC Ora Edwards and SPC Luis Rodriguez. They have all

taken on a few added responsibilities with the departure of the

Navy and are working together providing a 24 hour watch as

well as movement support. We really couldn’t ask for a better

team and a better group of soldiers here in Kandahar, “Team

Awesome” is definitely more awesome thanks to everyone’s

hard work and support.


Page 10

The JAG Update Provided by Specialist Shana Kovatch

Hello from the JAG section! Major Knapp, Staff Sergeant

Taylor, Sergeant Alvarez, and Specialist Kovatch have been

extremely busy since our last update, with a few changes within

our team, and one piece of exciting news to share. We said

goodbye and gave our best wishes to Sergeant Jonathan

O’Reilly as he made the return trip home, ending his yearlong

tour. He was a great asset to our team and we miss him greatly!

In his place, we are expecting a new paralegal in the coming

weeks. We are also expecting a new attorney to work side by

side with Major Knapp. Once our new members arrive, we will

introduce them in a future newsletter.

Now for the exciting news: Specialist Ronny Alvarez received

a promotion he has worked extremely hard for, and is now

Sergeant Ronny Alvarez, effective October 1st. Congratulations

Sergeant Alvarez! We hope our friends and family had a safe

and happy Halloween, and we are thinking of and praying for

everyone back home who is in the path of Hurricane Sandy.

Headquarters Section Brief

In the month of October the Headquarters Section of 411TH Engineer

Brigade has accomplished a lot. The gazebo is now finished. During

the ribbon cutting ceremony SSG Elwyn, PFC Sheaffer, SSG Negron,

and SPC Celik all received Brigade coins for their work. In addition

to the gazebo we have built and designed castle theme chairs, a table

with an ashtray built into the middle, a bench for in front of the HHC

building, and we built a shelf for SGM Jacques.

PFC Sheaffer also got to eat dinner with the 412th Command Team,

MG Buckler and CSM Flubacher. PFC Sheaffer said “MG Buckler

and CSM Flubacher where a lot more relaxed than I thought a general

and CSM would be around lower enlisted".

Sergeant Robert got promoted to Staff Sergeant Robert. SSG Robert

has been doing a great job keeping the office held down while SSG

Elwyn and PFC Sheaffer are out and about. He performs tasks such as,

keeping the barracks ready for incoming troops, dispatching and

controlling vehicles, and doing the daily reports every morning. He

and the First Sergeant went on a trip on October 23through October

24th to Kandahar airfield to visit the troops and make sure everything

is okay.

On October 8th the pre-deployment sight survey team for the

replacement brigade arrived. The purpose of the team was to visit their

area of operation and let the main group know their mission, set up

and living conditions.

Lastly PFC Sheaffer has been promoted to Specialist and is looking

forward to his new found responsibilities that come with more rank.


Page 11


Page 12


Page 13

Command Group – Always on the Move!

Happy Halloween from the Command Group! It’s been

another busy month! BG Weeks and CSM Krom have been

traveling all over the country meeting with our units and

ensuring everything is running smoothly. This month we

said goodbye to the 7th and 980th Engineer Battalions. Both

battalions performed exceptionally and their efforts have

greatly impacted their areas of operation. We welcomed the

1st and 20th Engineer Battalions into country and expect

them to do great things as they carry on the mission.

Sadly, this month we had to say goodbye to a member of

our team as well. Specialist Tallion Abbott will be

returning home to nurse a broken hand. SPC Abbott was a

crucial member of the team and he will be missed. We wish

him well and everyone will see him when we return to

Battle Assembly next year. From here we will continue our

mission and update you again next month!

The Army Ten – Miler Bagram Satellite Run 6 October 2012

6 October 2012,

members of

Task Force

Empire

participated in

the Bagram

satellite run of

the Army Ten-

Miler.


Page 14

G-2 B Fit!By SGT Edwin Jiman

It is already October and Hallow’s Eve is already being celebrated in the States

according to the Imagery Analysis posted on FACEBOOK. We had an extra-terrestrial

activity in Bagram Air Field where the Mario and Luigi where spotted in the Medic’s office

but we couldn’t find Yoshi and the Princess (Pic.1: SPC Arias, SGT Jiman, CW4 Good, and

SSG Santiago). While everyone back home focuses on the treats given from their neighbors,

the G2 section is always determined to stay away from the norm of today’s society. We are

working out harder and harder so that we can be mentally and physically fit for duty. We are

entrusted by our leaders to be fit without their supervision and I must say that our section’s

soldiers are driven to be faster and stronger every day. We all have different strengths and

weaknesses but most importantly we target to improve what we are weak at. Even as the

weather is turning colder, G-2 soldiers are consistently making the effort to get to the gym.

SPC Thomas prefers to workout el naturale, without any supplements and focusing on

to improve his overall strength. In picture 2, SPC Thomas is doing a bicep workout with a

Preacher Curl bar and 50 lbs of weights. SPC Thomas is also spotted by CPL Fung to ensure

that he gets the extra repetition when his arms begin to fail. CPL Fung is only 155 lbs but he

was bench pressing 135 lbs on the barbell. Picture 3 shows 2LT Rowland challenging CPL

Fung to push for a few more repetition with his assistance. SPC Owen is passionate about

yoga but she doesn’t neglect her strength training. In picture 4, she is doing the hand stand

with the supervision of SPC Rowland for safety reasons. In picture 5, SPC Owen

demonstrate the “back bridge”.

Moving on to the bigger, better things, 2LT Rowland insists to highlight his strength.

The young LT is only 145 lbs but he is bench pressing 225 lbs on the flat barbell press (Pic

6). SPC Rowland (Yes, they are related) seeks to tone out his body and not neglect his

strength. In picture 7, SPC Rowland is conducting the dumbbell press with 70lbs in each

hand. This workout requires a lot of stability and control in the deltoids and pectorals. Picture

8 shows the G-2 NCOIC, SFC Njie completing a 5K walk with the Improved Outer Tactical

Vest (IOTV, 35 lbs). This vest is heavy enough to restrict your lungs from expanding during

long term use. I am located in picture 9, performing hand stand shoulder presses so that I can

strengthen my shoulder while targeting my core (Picture Courtesy of LT Rowland’s skills).

Although SPC Sandlin and SSG Krietemeyer were not present for the picture taking,

the G-2 section assures you that they workout hard and consistently. As a section, we

understand that workouts are a great way to distress your body. Many of us here work

endless hours without any days off which can be taxing on our minds and bodies but we

always take the time, whether it is the mornings of the afternoons to workout to stay in shape

and be fit.

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5

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G-2 B Fit! By SGT Edwin Jiman

It is already October and Hallow’s Eve is already being celebrated in the States according

to the Imagery Analysis posted on FACEBOOK. We had an extra-terrestrial activity in Bagram

Air Field where the Mario and Luigi where spotted in the Medic’s office but we couldn’t find

Yoshi and the Princess (Pic.1: SPC Arias, SGT Jiman, CW4 Good, and SSG Santiago). While

everyone back home focuses on the treats given from their neighbors, the G2 section is always

determined to stay away from the norm of today’s society. We are working out harder and harder

so that we can be mentally and physically fit for duty. We are entrusted by our leaders to be fit

without their supervision and I must say that our section’s soldiers are driven to be faster and

stronger every day. We all have different strengths and weaknesses but most importantly we

target to improve what we are weak at. Even as the weather is turning colder, G-2 soldiers are

consistently making the effort to get to the gym.

SPC Thomas prefers to workout el naturale, without any supplements and focusing on to

improve his overall strength. In picture 2, SPC Thomas is doing a bicep workout with a Preacher

Curl bar and 50 lbs of weights. SPC Thomas is also spotted by CPL Fung to ensure that he gets

the extra repetition when his arms begin to fail. CPL Fung is only 155 lbs but he was bench

pressing 135 lbs on the barbell. Picture 3 shows 2LT Rowland challenging CPL Fung to push for

a few more repetition with his assistance. SPC Owen is passionate about yoga but she doesn’t

neglect her strength training. In picture 4, she is doing the hand stand with the supervision of SPC

Rowland for safety reasons. In picture 5, SPC Owen demonstrate the “back bridge”.

Moving on to the bigger, better things, 2LT Rowland insists to highlight his strength. The

young LT is only 145 lbs but he is bench pressing 225 lbs on the flat barbell press (Pic 6). SPC

Rowland (Yes, they are related) seeks to tone out his body and not neglect his strength. In picture

7, SPC Rowland is conducting the dumbbell press with 70lbs in each hand. This workout requires

a lot of stability and control in the deltoids and pectorals. Picture 8 shows the G-2 NCOIC, SFC

Njie completing a 5K walk with the Improved Outer Tactical Vest (IOTV, 35 lbs). This vest is

heavy enough to restrict your lungs from expanding during long term use. I am located in picture

9, performing hand stand shoulder presses so that I can strengthen my shoulder while targeting

my core (Picture Courtesy of LT Rowland’s skills).

Although SPC Sandlin and SSG Krietemeyer were not present for the picture taking, the G-

2 section assures you that they workout hard and consistently. As a section, we understand that

workouts are a great way to distress your body. Many of us here work endless hours without any

days off which can be taxing on our minds and bodies but we always take the time, whether it is

the mornings of the afternoons to work out to stay in shape and be fit.


Page 15

G-7 Section Updated provided by Sergeant First Class Carl Rice

I sent a couple pictures of the folks who did the Army 10

miler. Pinkie Pie slept in that day. We arrived for sign up

at 0400 and finished the race just in time for sunrise; so the

photos were at a very nice time of the morning and we

smiled through the aches and pains. For some of us, this

was a once in a lifetime experience.

As for G7, our surveyors have been conducting missions at

the Bagram detention facility and several locations

throughout RC(E) and RC(S). The Team has logged lot of

miles and conducted over a dozen missions this past

month.

Our section has once again transformed with the addition

of Navy Commander Kenneth Weaver. Colonel Andrew

Smith has returned from the North, First Lieutenant Brett

Knutson is serving as a Platoon Leader for a Bridge

company in the South and SW, Master Jack Novielli is

recovering from his medical procedure and returned to the

states, and Air Force Master Sergeant Damien Seals has

been traveling around the country ensuring the construction

projects have the necessary materials on site or enroute.

(Left) SPC David Quinones, SPC Ray Mendock, SSG Michael

Cush, and SFC Kevin Johnson on mission in Sperwan Ghar in

Panjwa'i. (Lower Left and Above) SPC Ray Mendock.

MAJ Mike Hults, (RC-SW) and BG David Weeks returning

from a site visit on an Osprey


Page 16

Pictures of the Team

in Kabul where

Major Joseph

Verastegui serves as

our representative.


Page 17

PGR Salong

headquarters headquarters company 411th engineer brigade “the

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