decorahnews.com exclusive: 322nd EN has won praise for its work in Afghanistan

1st SGT Brian Losen of Hesper with FOB Walton Wood Shop supervisor Mark Howe

Members of the 322nd Engineering Unit, based in Decorah, have won respect in Afghanistan for their level of hard work.

Around 160 soldiers have been working on a variety of projects throughout southern Afghanistan during their 10-month deployment.

One project involved rebuilding a pavilion at Forward Operating Base Walton.  The previous local construction crew had built it with floor supports every five feet apart, making the floor, in the words of 322EN soldier Steve Higgins, "like a trampoline."

The 322EN soldiers rebuilt the floor and the rest of the pavilion.  Soldiers on base celebrated the opening of the pavilion by holding a salsa dance there.

Wood shop supervisor Mark Howe, who worked with the 322EN on the project and many other projects, told decorahnews.com, "We've had a great relationship."

The completed pavilion