322nd Engineer Battalion continues its deployment in Afghanistan

Sergeant Ben Van Horn conducting a briefing prior to members of the 322nd Engineering Company going out on a convoy.

Members of the 322nd Engineer Company, based in Decorah, remain on deployment in Afghanistan, spread out all over the southern and southwestern parts of the country. 

Company commander CPT Troy King says the unit's 1st Platoon, led by First Lieutenant Mason Flemmer and Sergeant First Class Tim Moenck, has recently finished a three building project that they have been working since the 322nd arrived.  The platoon was the only American unit on the base and quickly made friends with their Canadian counterparts that managed the area.  

Says King, "Our 2nd Platoon, led by First Lieutenant Michael Skaar and Sergeant First Class Justin Batton, has completed several small scale projects and projects that were in conjunction with other units.  Some of their projects allowed them to work with locals in projects such as acquiring and spreading 26,000 cubic meters of gravel and deck/bridge at the Afghan Army Headquarters."

The platoon led by First Lieutenant Marc Helm and Sergeant First Class Kevin Chesmore has been assigned to another company in the battalion and are currently very busy in the southwestern part of the country.  They are assigned to our sister company which is from Puerto Rico.  This platoon has been to many different bases and has accomplished a lot in austere conditions.

The Maintenance section, led by Sergeant First Class Tony Roethler, is currently leading the battalion in keeping the vehicle and equipment fleet of nearly 100 pieces up and running.  Says King, "We fell in on equipment that had been driven hard and had not received much care.  This group of Soldiers have put in incredible amount of hours to make sure our vehicles are capable of running up and down the road to visit our troops that are out at different locations."

Finally our headquarters sections continues to lead the Battalion in most all categories and reports.  Staff Sergeant Jeff Ryant is doing an amazing job of keeping our Soldiers in new uniforms and supplies.  He and his staff are in charge of making sure we can get snacks and drinks to take to our soldiers out on projects that do not get all the amenities.  Staff Sergeant Matt Vine is in charge of keeping track of the 200 soldiers coming and going on convoys and those going home on leaves.