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LTC Patrick V. Kinsman Task Force Sapper Eagle Battalion Commander Sapper Eagle 6
20 November 2011, Camp Taji, Iraq - It has been my distinct pleasure and honor to serve with you during this historic, final deployment to Iraqand I do hope it is our final deployment to this country! I am proud of each and every one of you for not only your service during Operation New Dawn, but also for volunteering to serve our Nation during a time of war. At our transfer of authority ceremony in February at the beginning of the mission, I said, as TF Sapper Eagle assumes authority for the mission, we also assume and acknowledge the responsibility to close out this mission on behalf of those who have served, on behalf of those who have fallen, and on behalf of the families they left behind We will get the job doneand we will close this historic mission with an effort commensurate with their sacrifice. As the last engineer battalion serving in Iraq, we have proven that we were up to the task, and the many important engineer missions that we conducted directly contributed to closing out Operation New Dawn. These missions - such as RCP, BARP, ATA-E, and REACT construction - along with routine deployed missions such as maintenance, supply, distribution of critical equipment, communications, and command and control have certainly kept us very busy. But most importantly in my mind, through the superb execution of these missions and by giving our best effort everyday to complete our missionwe have honored the service and sacrifice of all Soldiers that have served in Iraq, and in particular, our Fallen Heroes. Our engineer team has done everything that we were asked to do and more as part of the larger effort in finishing OND, we have done everything possible to give the people of Iraq a chance at a better future, and now it is time to go. There are no guarantees in life, so only time will tell if the Iraqi people and the Iraqi Security Forces will make the most of this opportunity. But regardless of the outcome, I am proud to have served with you during this historic mission. As I write this from Camp Taji just days away from celebrating Thanksgiving at VBC with the Reapers of 511th, and in the middle of the 74th River Rats move to Kuwait, I am reminded that we all have much to be thankful for and just like the Soldiers that have served this Nation selflessly since its birth, you have stepped up and answered the call as well and I am thankful for your service. With Soldiers still in Iraq, I am also reminded that our mission is not yet over. I wish you all the very best of luck in the future and I look forward to when our paths cross again! Air Assault! Sapper Eagles! --Sapper Eagle 6

CSM Henry Hart Sapper Eagle 7

AIR ASSAULT!
20 November, 2011, Camp Taji, Iraq What a great day to be a Soldier in the Greatest Armed Forces in the World. I thank God for the opportunity to serve beside such great warriors during the last eight years in the support of Operation Iraq Freedom and now Operation New Dawn. It is an honor for the 326th Engineer Battalion to be the last engineers to sweep across the country of Iraq. We conducted vital missions such as Route Clearance Operations for various units throughout Iraq and kept Soldiers and equipment safe as units flowed south to Kuwait. As the State Department took foothold, our Soldiers performed successful construction operations in different locations around Iraq. The Task Force also had the awesome responsibility of maintaining the Bridge Attack Response Plan (BARP), bridging operations when called upon to keep roads open and safe for travel. Now its time for you to tell your story of Operation New Dawn. You the Soldiers of Task Force Sapper Eagle can tell your story of Operation New Dawn with pride. We formed Task Force Sapper Eagle out of eleven different engineer units across the army. This accomplishment included hard work and dedication from the following companies: 34th and 82nd out of Hawaii; 74th out of Fort Hood TX; 62nd out of Fort Carson CO; HHC, FSC, 511th, 591st out of Fort Campbell KY; 299th out of Fort Belvoir VA; 617th out of Fort Lewis WA; and the 391st, an army reserve unit out of Boise Idaho. These engineers from all over the country have shown a common spirit of comradeship, enthusiasm and devotion to execute combat support missions throughout Iraq, from Mosul to Basra. Task Force Sapper Eagles, your contributions and outstanding work are greatly appreciated. No matter how great or small, I would like to say, Thank You for your dedication and sacrifice. Esprit de Corps! I must say, you have done an excellent job completing missions and meeting the expectations of timelines, maintaining discipline in your companies and adhering to Army standards. In every fight the enemy has a vote. I am proud to say your diligence towards missions did not deter your focus. The enemys vote did not count for the Task Force Sapper Eagles, AIR ASSAULT! And to the families of 326th Engineer Battalion, thank you for your continued support and prayers in the absence of our unit. For our brothers in arms who have paid the ultimate sacrifice during these operations, your efforts have given the Iraqi people an opportunity to succeed in rebuilding their country. We will never forget, The price of freedom is not free -Sapper Eagle 7

HHC, 326TH ENGINEER BATTALION HEADHUNTERS

Forward Support Company 326th Engineer Battalion Ghostriders

62 ENGINEER COMPANY REAPERS

Once the Company deployed and arrived in Iraq, it was assigned to the 326th Engineer Battalion. The Company conducted assured mobility operations, aerial surveillance operations as well as force protection operations. While deployed the company also had 2/62 detached to 2-8 CAV. In all the Sappers of the 62D Engineer Company cleared over 40,000 kilometers of routes, execute six deliberate aerial surveillance missions and provided 16,560 man hours for force protection to COB Adder.

1LT York briefs his platoon prior to a route clearance mission in Iraq

SGT Drayer preps the Talon robot prior to mission to ensure its functionality and operational readiness

PFC Morales, SGT McMurry, and SSG Tanner work to organize the maintenance tent. 1st Platoons route clearance patrol coming around the bend.

SGT Bays and SSG Spence discuss redeployment or NCAA football stats while loading out connexes

SPC Trevino poses for a Halloween shot 31OCT11

PFC Perez and PFC Vanslette take time for a photo before the days work begins

R E A P E R S

74th Multi-Role Bridge Company bridge the gap

74th MRBC CDR and 1SG, CPT Solla and SFC Fuavai, at the Transfer of Authority Ceremony

Soldiers constructing a 61-meter Mabey-Johnson Bridge at Joint Base Balad

River Rats during the only unconventional removal of a Heavy Assault Bridge in the Iraq Theater

74th MRBC Soldiers teaching rafting operations to Iraqi Solders in support of the Advise, Train, Assist, and Equip mission

River Rats standing in front of the completed 61-meter Mabey-Johnson Bridge

LTG Helmick, the USF-I Deputy Commanding General for Operations, recognizing 74th MRBC Soldiers

Patrolling in Western Iraq during a bridge inspection mission

Soldiers from the Recon Team conducting an inspection of a key bridge in Central Iraq

MG Spoehr, the USF-I Deputy Commanding General for Support, with the River Rats during his visit

River Rats posing with their MRAPs after a mission

82nd Engineer Support Company Gravediggers

391st Sapper Company

Find Bomb, Kill Muj

-Hollywood .

511th Sapper Company Reapers

AT

THE

BREACH!

591st Sapper Company