LTC Patrick V. Kinsman

Task Force Sapper Eagle Battalion Commander

“Sapper Eagle 6”

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 Na-

tion 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

.

20 November 2011, Camp Taji, Iraq - It has been my distinct pleasure and honor to serve with you during

this historic, final deployment to Iraq…and 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 be-

half of the families they left behind… We will get the job done…and 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 im-

portant 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 mission…we 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.

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 Opera-

tion Iraq Freedom and now Operation New Dawn. It is an honor for the 326th Engineer Battalion to be the last engi-

neers to sweep across the country of Iraq. We conducted vital missions such as Route Clearance Operations for vari-

ous units throughout Iraq and kept Soldiers and equipment safe as units flowed south to Kuwait. As the State Depart-ment 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 it’s 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 comrade-

ship, 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, maintain-

ing 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 enemy’s 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

CSM Henry Hart

“Sapper Eagle 7”

“AIR ASSAULT!”

.

HHC, 326HHC, 326THTH EENGINEERNGINEER BBATTALIONATTALION

“H“HEADHUNTERSEADHUNTERS””

.

.

Forward Support Company

326th Engineer Battalion

“Ghostriders”

.

.

Once the Company deployed and arrived in Iraq, it was assigned to the 326th

Engi-

neer Battalion. The Company conducted assured mobility operations, aerial sur-

veillance 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.

62 ENGINEER COMPANY

“REAPERS”

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82nd Engineer Support Company

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391st Sapper Company

.

“Find Bomb, Kill Muj” -Hollywood .

.

511th Sapper Company

“Reapers”

.

ATAT THE THE BREACH!BREACH!

.

. 591st Sapper Company

.

.