Recently the 1433rd/1432nd realized a need for establishing a team dedicated to conducting tasks of the Hori-

zontal nature that would further enhance the capabilities of conducting Route Clearance and overall Sapper

Missions. With the way the 1433rd/1432nd was organized, this was feasible by tapping into the Horizontal

Engineer experience already within the Company. The challenge was going to be how to acquire the equipment

needed to actually tackle the obstacles put in front of us. This proved not to be a challenge at all. When another

unit with the required equipment found out we were willing to take on this mission, they gladly gave up the

heavy equipment we asked for. Next issue was putting together the “Dirt” team to operate and maintain the

equipment in order to be ready when needed. So with that; meet the team we (with fondness) call “Dirt”

Top row left to right: SPC Jason Cronkright,

SSG Justin Robinson

Bottom row left to right: SPC Brantly LaFave,

SPC Allan Bal, and SPC Jason Hatz

MEET “DIRT”

1433RD/1432ND

ENGINEER

CLEARANCE

COMPANY

NOVEMBER 1 2012

ROCKHOUND REVIEW

IN THIS ISSUE:

Meet “DIRT”

At the Peak, CPT Falor

1SG Rye’s Blast Window

Misfits

Hogslayers

Honey Badgers

Night Crawlers

FMT/HQ/ANA

SOM Nominations

Unit Pictures

Soldier of the Month

“WE SHALL

REVEAL”

Approach area prep work leading up to installation of REB (Rapidly Emplaced Bridge)

Emplacement of REB over river, allowing freedom of movement for Coalition forces and Local farmers.

FROM THE PEAK CPT TODD FALOR

BLAST WINDOW 1SG DAVID RYE

Page 2 AS WE SEE IT

“Essayons” is the motto for the United States Army Corps of Engineers. Translated it means “Let us try” in French. Army Engineers have

lived by this motto since the Corps inception in 1775. It embodies the ingenuity, work ethic, and can do attitude of the American spirit.

Army Engineers have been instrumental in every one of our nation’s wars. Throughout our military’s history, when commanders are con-

fronted with a challenge they turn to the Engineers for the solution. The Engineer’s response has always been , and will continue to be,

“Let us try” or “Essayons”. The men and women of the 1432nd/1433rd Engineer Clearance Company continue this legacy here in Afghani-

stan.

The 1432nd/1433rd Engineer Clearance Company deployed to Afghanistan with the mission to conduct Route and Area Clearance.

This is not limited to the clearing of IED’s on the roads in our area of operations. This involves the clearing of IED’s anywhere they pose a

threat to coalition forces. The soldiers of the 1433rd have embraced this mission and taken it upon themselves to become the experts in

neutralizing the enemy IED threat. There is no single correct way to clear IED’s. The approach we take to clearing IED’s often depends

on the unique circumstances of that particular situation. Whenever I have presented a challenging mission to your soldiers, I have never

heard “we can’t do that.” The response has always been “Let us try”. Every single mission we have been assigned has been accomplished

because the leaders and the soldiers of the 1432nd/1433rd have carried on the legacy of the Engineer Corps by applying their training or

coming up with creative new ways to safely neutralize the enemy IED threat.

Clearing IED’s is not the only mission the 1432nd/1433rd has accomplished since arriving in Afghanistan. The 1432nd/1433rd possesses sol-

diers that have a wide array of skills that allows us to perform many different missions in support of the effort here. Several soldiers have

flown the Puma (a small UAV) to look for enemy activity. Others have operated engineer earth moving equipment to build or repair

roads, making our travel safer. They have also used this equipment to improve force protection measures at the numerous check points

and out posts in the area. We have also assisted in the emplacement of three bridges in our area of operations. The combat engineers of the 1432nd/1433rd have also conducted numerous tree line reduction missions. During these missions explosives were used to remove

vegetation that the enemy used to conceal his movements. All of these efforts have had a significant effect on our area of operations.

As a Commander, I couldn’t be prouder of what the men and women under my command have accomplished since arriving in

Afghanistan. Every day soldiers from this company are “outside the wire” conducting operations in the face of the enemy. We are now

starting to see the lasting effects of what we have contributed here. When we arrived here back in June, we were presented with a dan-

gerous mission in a high threat operational environment. Your soldiers rose to the occasion and have performed with distinction and

honor. The legacy of the Combat Engineer lives on in the soldiers of the 1432nd/1433rd.

Essayons!!

CPT Falor

AAH, November! By far my favorite month of the year. This year the General Election on the 6th, the 11th is Veteran’s Day, of course

the 15th is the MI State Holiday, and then Thanksgiving on the 22nd. November has so much going on that it always seems that before

you know it, “poof” it’s over. Then the Christmas carols start on the radio and never seem to stop, (just my opinion), and the daily

routines of getting ready for the Holidays become just a way of life. Decorating, baking, shopping, school and church plays, visits to rela-

tives (some you only see once a year) and of course maybe a Christmas party or two. Whew! I’m tired just thinking about it, but wait we

get a break! Well, only if it is for a few days, because the New Year is within that same week. After that you got the Presidential Inaugu-

ration, NFL Playoffs, and Martin Luther King, Jr Day. Then all the sudden it’s February, and we have Groundhog’s Day the Super Bowl,

Valentines Day, and President’s day. And with February being the short month, before you know it March is here! That is right, March!

In the last few minutes it took to read this article, we just went through 120 days, this realization of how quickly time fly's by. The

1433rd/1432nd Engineer Company has done great things here in Afghanistan, representing not only their Unit, the State of Michigan, and

the US Army, but their families as well. Everyone should be proud of your soldiers and the accomplishments they have performed and

will continue to perform, I know I am. And yes, as time fly’s by, and we are all there to embrace it and await the reunion to come.

ROCKHOUND 7

DURING THE MONTH OF OCTOBER, 1ST PLATOON WAS TASKED WITH 2 SEPARATE CLEARING OP-

ERATIONS. A SAPPER TEAM, CONSISTING OF SSG DONAHUE, SPC TROYER, SPC AUGUSTINE AND

PFC FITZGERALD, WAS TASKED TO ASSIST 4-23 INFANTRY IN SETTING UP A PATROL BASE WHILE THE REMAINDER OF

THE PLATOON CONDUCTED ROUTE CLEARANCE AND ROUTE

IMPROVEMENT 0PERATIONS. DURING THE OPERATION, 1ST PLATOON WAS ABLE TO CLEAR A

NEW ROUTE ENABLING COALITION FORCES TO MOVE SAFELY

THROUGHOUT THE AREA. DURING THE CLEARANCE OPERA-

TION, 1ST PLATOON SUCCESSFULLY CLEARED SEVERAL IED’S FROM

THE ROUTE. THE CLEARANCE OPERATION ALSO ALLOWED FOR

SEVERAL CHECK POINTS TO BE ESTABLISHED ALONG THE ROUTE

TO BE MANNED BY THE AFGHAN NATIONAL ARMY, ENSURING

THEY ARE READY TO DEFEND AND MAINTAIN CONTROL OF

THEIR AREA AFTER COALITION FORCES LEAVE.

IN ADDITION TO THE CLEARANCE AND IMPROVEMENT OPERA-

TIONS – THE 4 MEMBER SAPPER TEAM SUCCESSFULLY AIR ASSAULTED INTO THEIR OBJECTIVE AND CONDUCTED

DAILY PATROLS OF THE SURROUNDING VILLAGES AND COMPOUNDS. THE TEAM WAS ABLE TO CLEAR FIELDS OF

FIRE FOR THE OUTPOSTS AS WELL AS CLEAR A NUMBER OF SUSPECTED IED SITES.

1ST PLATOON “MISFITS”

2nd PLATOON “HOGSLAYERS”

October is almost over and marks about the halfway point of

our deployment. For the most part this month has been rela-

tively quiet. We have continued to do route clearance in the

AO and provide safety of movement for both U.S Forces and

local nationals. The platoon has also been involved in dis-

mounted clearance operations with infantry forces. We have

proved to be very capable and been praised on our ability to do

these types of missions. It looks as if all of the hard work and

training time put in prior to deployment has paid off. This re-

flects greatly not only on the 1433rd, but you the families for

supporting your Soldiers during that time. It seems as though the Soldiers of second platoon have finally

fully settled into living conditions here at Pasab. I say that think-

ing before we know it we will begin making the transition into

leaving. We are very much looking forward to coming home,

however haven’t forgotten why we are here and our mission.

The professionalism of our Soldier has been amazing and it will

be what carries us through the very last mission we conduct

prior to coming home. The entire platoon would like to say Happy Birthday to SPC

Matt, SPC Merrell and SPC Carey having birthdays this month.

Thank you again for the prayers and support from all of the

Families.

Page 3

BUFFALO INTEROGATION

3RD PLATOON “HONEY BADGERS”

4TH PLATOON “NIGHT CRAWLERS”

Here we are nearing the end of October and the beginning of

the holiday season, we are also approaching the half way mark of this

deployment. Many of us begin not only to look toward the future and

coming home but also reflect on the amazing things we have accom-

plished thus far here in Afghanistan. We know now, that all the train-

ing and time spent during pre-deployment away from family and loved

ones was not for nothing, it prepared us much more than we could

have imagined. Our company

hit the ground running and

hasn’t show signs of stopping.

We can look back now and see real difference in our area of operations.

Our primary mission to conduct route clearance continues to make this

area safer for anyone traveling the roads, but this isn’t the only job we

have had. 4th platoon has taken on many other tasks to improve Pasab and

the surrounding villages. We have made our mark by improving many of

the deteriorating routes as well as having brand new ones to make move-

ments for both our forces and the civilians that inhabit the area around

Pasab much better. The gratification we all have and the pride that comes

with it makes being away from home much easier to deal with. Though it

will be difficult for many of us, some for the first time, to be away from

our family and friends for the upcoming holidays we are happy to know

that it’s for the most honorable reasons.

Page 4 ROCKHOUND REVIEW

Army Ten Miler

The Honey Badgers met the Army’s challenge to run in the annual Army ten mile race. Five Badgers com-

peted and completed the challenge. Running ten miles is a feat in itself, but tackling that much distance in

an area that has enough dust to choke a hoover takes heart. Blain “Piney” Conover and Trevor “Midnight

oil” Mashak were the two favorites going into the race, but Conover proved to have a little more pep in

his step and beat Mashak. You may be thinking that this much suffering requires a large prize to draw such

capable competitors, but a t-shirt

and bragging rights are all it takes

to get these badgers motivated.

Honorable mentions must go to

Ryan “Honest” Abramson, a huge

underdog going into the event

managed to show his metal and

keep pace with Piney and Midnight

oil until the bitter end. High five

to Dan “Buffalo Hound” White

and Mike “Karate” Seratti for

looking at the challenge and going

how hard can it be? They all made

the Honey Badgers proud.

Page 5 ROCKHOUND REVIEW

Headquarters/FMT

Medical Training Important For ANA– Senior Medic SFC Veltkamp The deployment of the 1433rd EN CO to the Kandahar area and partnership with the Afghan National

Army (ANA) has given the ANA a unique opportunity. A 2004 study in The Journal of American Medical Asso-

ciation found that more than 60% of Afghans had experienced at least four traumatic events during the previ-

ous decade. You could appreciate why training in emergency medi-

cine would be important to the ANA. SSG Curtis Veltkamp, senior

medic and SPC Dylan Seavoy have trained the ANA partnered with

the 1433rd Engineers on skills ranging from CPR to splinting. Of

course the focus is on emergency hemorrhage control. Medics of

the 1433rd have supplied the ANA with tourniquets and bandages as

well as reinforce training on the application of these items in emer-

gency medicine. The medics of the 1433rd will continue to support

our ANA counterparts with quality emergency medical training for

the duration of the deployment. “This we do so others live”.

ANA LIASIONS, by SPC E. Niemi

We Came, We Saw, We…

Within the last month here at the ANA liaisons office we have contin-

ued working side by side. The training we provide day in and day out

has proved to be working out greatly. We have noticed, during times of

observation when ANA are on mission or preparing for mission that

they are applying the basic tasks we had taught. The ANA commander

has stated numerous amounts of times, on how he is delighted to see

how well his soldiers are developing do to our teaching, as well as, our

interactions with each other. We are building stronger ties by utilizing

individual soldiers

from our platoons

to aid in training to

help our soldiers

learn more about

this culture and its

people. So as we

continue, we keep

teaching and interacting to ensure that we complete our

mission of development for both ANA and ourselves.” We

Came, We Saw, We Taught”.

Page 6 ROCKHOUND REVIEW

1st Platoon Nominates SPC Chance

Augustine for Soldier of the Month. SPC

Augustine’s tenacity and endurance proved

to be extremely beneficial during a week

long mission while assisting the 4-23 INF,

Bravo Company this last month. SPC

Augustine’s ability to respond quickly and

stay calm during stressful situations

contributed to the missions overall success.

SOLDIER OF MONTH NOMINEES

2nd Platoon would like to nominate SPC Herbert

Merrell for the 1433rd Engineer Company Soldier of

the month. SPC Merrell has set the example for the

rest of the gunners, not only in the platoon, but in

the company. His knowledge of the weapons sys-

tems that he uses is impeccable. He also takes more

time in the cleaning and care of his crew serve and

personal weapon then anyone in the platoon. He

also assists other gunners in the platoon with clean-

ing theirs. SPC Merrell is also the spiritual leader of the pla-

toon giving us a prayer before every mission. He

has been a major asset and part of the foundation of

second platoon. Soldiers like him will ensure the

continued success in all that we do in second pla-

toon.

SPC Stitt on patrol

SPC Chad Stitt is an invaluable member of 4th Platoon Nightcrawlers.

Since pre-mobilization training back in the states, SPC Stitt has been

able and willing to do whatever it takes to accomplish the mission and

support his fellow platoon members. SPC Stitt’s experience and ex-

pertise from his prior deployment have helped 4th Platoon to develop

better tactics, techniques, and procedures to achieve continued suc-

cess as a route clearance platoon. While his primary responsibility is

as a gunner, he is always willing to step up to any Engineer task with a

sense of determination and a smile on his face. SPC Stitt is a qualified

route clearance Sapper, an important position within the platoon.

SPC Stitt’s strong work ethic and good nature serve as an example

and motivation to all who have the privilege to work with him.

SPC AUGUSTINE ON PATROL

Page 7

RANDOM PICTURES

SOLDIER OF THE MONTH is……... SPC Kertcher has logged 2,022 miles in the 1433rds area

of operation to include 52 combat missions so far this

deployment. He has been 3rd squad’s primary driver for

the RG-31 DO7 with a hydraulic arm attachment for

interrogating suspected IED/UXO threats.SPC Kertcher

is responsible for the set up of his vehicle before con-

ducting combat operations. To include PMCS, ensuring

vehicle and dismount radios have the proper fill. And all

GPS and IED countermeasure equipment is operational

for mission on a day to day basis with a total value of

over one million dollars. SPC Kertcher has proven to

be a highly motivated soldier by always being the first to

the motor pool in the morning and staying after mission

is complete to identify and repair all faults that had oc-

curred during combat operations. SPC Kertcher shows

outstanding leadership potential by leading by example

and motivating his peers through communicating and

devoting a lot of his personal time to the overall mis-

sion accomplishment of the 1433rd EN CO.

SPC Kertcher is presented the MIARNG CSM Coin of

Excellence on behalf of CSM Richard Michael by 1SG

David Rye.

Military Humor

Three weeks into training camp, My daughter still hadn’t gotten used to Army cooking and was surviving on milk and

desserts. In one food line, she picked up the biggest piece of cake available and set it on her tray. The mess cook

behind the counter saw the gleam in her eye and asked if she’d like two pieces. When she eagerly answered that she

would, the cook leaned over and cut her piece of cake in two.

A large group of Taliban soldiers are moving down a road when they hear a voice call from behind a sand-dune. "One

Engineer SAPPER is better than ten taliban". The Taliban commander quickly sends 10 of his best soldiers over the

dune whereupon a gun-battle breaks out and continues for a few minutes, then silence.

The voice then calls out "One Engineer SAPPER is better than one hundred taliban". Furious, the Taliban commander

sends his next best 100 troops over the dune and instantly a huge gun fight commences. After 10 minutes of battle,

again silence.

The voice calls out again "One Engineer SAPPER is better than one thousand Taliban". The enraged Taliban Com-

mander musters one thousand fighters and sends them across the dune. Cannon, rocket and machine gun fire ring out

as a huge battle is fought. Then silence.

Eventually one wounded Taliban fighter crawls back over the dune and with his dying words tells his commander,

"Don't send any more men, its a trap. There's actually two of them.

Did You Know?

If a statue in the park of a person on a horse has both front legs in the air, the person died in battle; if the horse has one

front leg in the air, the person died as a result of wounds received in battle; if the horse has all four legs on the ground,

the person died of natural causes.