416TH ENCOM ASSOCIATION

416TH ENCOM ASSOCIATION
“past and present serving together for the future”
Volume 16, Number 2 – Fall 2016
A Note from Your President
Hello to all fellow ENCOM Assn members. As
we move into the Fall of 2016, I feel it necessary to reflect on what actually makes any association strong, namely, its members. We all
join associations to maintain our connection
with those whom we have shared certain experiences. I also understand how over time
competing priorities can challenge us to remain an active participant. I am in several
other military associations who all share the
same challenges of maintaining/increasing
membership, relevancy to our younger members and active participation by everyone. I
conclude this part by asking you to share with
the Board your thoughts and ideas as to future activities, events and ideas to maintain
the vibrancy of the ENCOM Assn. Our email
addresses are on our Assn website, so let us
hear from you!
I want to thank the 416th TEC for welcoming me at their Family Day outing in July. Being
among so many Soldiers, many of whom I served with, made for a rather hectic visit. I met the
recently assigned DCG, BG John Elam and Chief of Staff, COL Matt Baker. I have known and
served with Matt since the early 1990’s. It is great to see him return to the 416th after his successful Brigade command. And of course I spent much time talking with Jim Murphy, Richard
Flanagan, Robert Mikyska and others.
Elsewhere in this Newsletter will be information on our Annual Dinner. I encourage all who can
make it to attend and share some time with former comrades and future friends.
Essayons!
COL (R) Lawrence J Slavicek
President, 416th ENCOM Association
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416th BOARD OF DIRECTORS
416th ENCOM Treasurer’s Report
OFFICERS
President ............................................................... COL(R) LARRY SLAVICEK
President (Elect) .................................................... SGM ROBERT STANEK
Vice President (Membership) ................................ TBD
Vice President (Pgms & Activ) .............................. LTC(R) LARRY CZEPIEL
Secretary ............................................................... SGM(R) VICTOR IMHOFF
Treasurer ............................................................... COL(R) JOHN ERICKSON
Submitted by COL (R) John Erickson
Activities: January 1, 2016 to August 31, 2016
Past President P2013-2015 ................................... COL(R) JOHN GESSNER
Opening Balance: January 1, 2016
$
7,489.35
Expenses:
NE Reunion Expenses
Army Museum Brick
Total Expenses:
$
$
854.25
250.00
$
1,104.25
Income/Deposits:
Membership
Annual Meeting
NE Reunion Deposits
$
$
$
303.60
217.92
1,295.00
Total Income/Deposits:
$
1,816.52
Closing Balance August 31, 2016:
$
8,201.62
DIRECTORS At-Large
(Senior)P2009-2011 T06-13 ................................. MG(R) ROBERT HEINE
(Publicity & Publications) P2003-2005 .................. CSM(R) WILLIAM LAKE
(Eastern Chapter) .................................................. COL(R) FRAN STROUSE
Awards & Nominations) ......................................... COL(R) JIM MARTIN
(Constitution & By-Laws) P2005-2007 ................... SGM(R) DAN LOPATOWSKI
At Large ................................................................. MAJ(R) BRUCE TOWNSHEND
At Large ........................................................ TBD
At Large ........................................................ TBD
Website: http://encomassociation.info/board.asp
Come One, Come All !
Don’t miss our Annual Dinner Meeting. A good time will be had by one and all; enjoy the company of old
and new friends and a great meal. Why sit at home and do nothing. This is your chance to have an
enjoyable evening with friendship and comradery.
416th ENCOM ASSOCIATION
ANNUAL DINNER MEETING
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2016
@ Argonne Guest House
9700 South Cass Ave., Building 460
Argonne, IL 60439
SCHEDULE: (tentative)
6:00pm
7:15pm
7:30pm
8:30pm
Menu:
Cash Bar Reception
Fallen Comrades Recognition & Engineer Punch
Buffet Dinner
Annual Meeting & Speaker
TBD
Cost: $45.00 per person
416TH ENCOM ASSOCIATION
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Dress: Business Casual
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6th ENCOM Treasurer’s Report
Submitted by COL (R) John Erickson
Submitted by Larry Czepiel
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416th TEC CURRENT OPERATIONS
1. The 416th TEC provided staff support (14 PAX) to ARSOUTH through participation in PANAMAX from 25 July
through 05 August 2016. PANAMAX is an annual U.S. Southern Command-sponsored multinational exercise focused
on ensuring the security of the Panama Canal and the surrounding region. Nineteen nations joined the United States
during the seven-day exercise and used simulations to command and control multinational notional sea, air, cyber and
land forces defending the vital waterway and surrounding areas against threats from violent extremism and to provide
for humanitarian relief. TEC participants were located in three different locations; Santiago, Chile, San Antonio, TX, and
Suffolk, VA
2. The 416th TEC (2 PAX) provided Geospatial Support for FEMA Region V from 14 through 23 July 2016 in support of
the 2016 Republican National Convention. The ArcGIS trained Soldiers participated along with representatives from
other services, components, organizations, and commands in the Region V Defense Coordinating Element (Rear) operations center. The Soldiers used Google Earth EC with additional products created with ArcGIS, to develop and maintain a Common Operating Picture used by ARNORTH throughout the mission. Participating in this event enabled the
416th TEC Geospatial Cell to better understand DCE FEMA Region V structure, processes, and systems, which will aid
in the discussion of potential future collaborations and partnering on annual training exercises.
3. The 317th EN CO (863rd EN BN/372nd EN BDE) completed an Innovative Readiness Training (IRT) project for the
Village of Ford Heights, IL Park District from 27 through 29 July 2016. The mission, consisting of repair and reconstruction of a community use baseball field, allowed the Soldiers to hone their equipment operating skills while provided a
tangible, lasting product for the community. Twenty Soldiers from the company participated in the construction, providing grading work of over 2000 cubic yards and infield excavation to 6" deep. Soldiers were able to train on different
pieces of equipment to include the grader, skid steer, backhoe, and dump truck.
UNCLASSIFIED /
FOUO
FORD HEIGHTS BASEBALL FIELD
UNIT: 1st PLT / 317th EN CO/
863rd EN BN/ 372nd EN BDE/
416th TEC
WHAT: Baseball Field Repair
WHERE: Homewood, Illinois
WHEN : 27 JUL - 29 JUL 16
SUMMARY: Assisted Village of
Ford Heights in the
reconstruction of it’s local
baseball field for proper drainage
control. An estimated cost of
$130,000 was saved for their
future project due to our support.
Concept: 6 in cut to even area.
4 ft fill of dirt laid for new base.
317th Engineer Company
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The National Museum of the United States Army
The National Museum of the United State Army Museum is currently under construction. No exact date has been established for its opening at this time. It
will be located on Fort Belvoir, VA less than 30 minutes south of our nation’s capital in Washington, D.C. The main building will be approximately 186,000
square feet and display selections from thousands of pieces from the Army Art Collection and the Army’s vast collection of artifacts, documents, and images. The majority of these rare and priceless artifacts have never been seen by the American people. The Museum will also host a variety of outdoor exhibits.
Upon it’s opening, the Museum anticipates approximately on million visitors annually.
Part of the museum grounds will be a Path of Remembrance line with bricks honoring Soldiers, Army units, Army families, Department of the Army civilians, and Museum and Army supporters. The commemorative bricks lining the Path of Remembrance will set the stage that the story of the Army is the
story of Soldiers. As such, the 416th ENCOM Association has purchased a brick that will ne enshrined in the Path of Remembrance. If you or your organization would also like to purchase a brick, information can be found by visiting the website www.armyhistory.org/bricks. The bricks come in two sizes: 4″ x
8″ Brick allows for 1-3 lines of customized text for $250 and the 8″ x 8″ brick allows up to 6 lines of customized text for $500.
The National Museum of the United States Army will serve as the capstone of the Army Museum Enterprise and provide the only comprehensive portrayal
of Army history and traditions. The National Army Museum will celebrate the selfless service and sacrifice of over 30 million men and women who have
worn the Army uniform since 1775. The Museum will be a technological marvel incorporating the latest advances in museum exhibits while providing advanced educational opportunities that will capture the attention of visitors old and young. As the Army’s national landmark, the Museum will honor United
States Soldiers – past, present, and future – and provide an interactive educational experience explaining the Army’s role in creating and defending our nation, as well as the Army’s social initiatives and contributions for more than 240 years. More information can be found at www.thenmusa.org. (Information
for this article was extracted from the National Museum and Army History/Brick websites).
Submitted by John A.P. Gessner
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Texan, Midwestern engineers deploy to Middle East
https://www.dvidshub.net/news/206812/texanmidwestern-engineers-deploy-middle-east
Texan, Midwestern
Photo By Adam Holguin | Soldiers assigned to the 389th Engineer Company and the 176th Engineer Brigade are
led in prayer during the farewell brief at the Silas L. Copeland Airfield Control Group moments before boarding
their flight to the Middle East July 29. see less | View Image Page
FORT BLISS, TX, UNITED STATES 08.11.2016
Story by Adam Holguin
Mobilization and Deployment, DPTMS Fort Bliss
The 389th Engineer Company, a U.S. Army Reserve unit based out of Burlington, Iowa,
and the 176th Engineer Brigade, a Texas Army National Guard Unit from Grand Prairie, departed the Silas L.
Copeland Arrival/Departure Airfield Control Group en route to a mission in the U.S. Central Command Area of Operations July 29.
The vertical engineers of the 389th will complete missions throughout the area of operations, and the scope and
size will dictate which assets are utilized, something unit officials have prepared for and are expecting.
“We will have teams as small as team level elements go out and complete missions in different locations,” said
Capt. David Jacobs, commander, 389th Eng. Co. “We were really particular in picking our leadership down to the
squad and team leader level to have someone strong that we could trust to be out there with the Soldiers and take
care of stuff on their own.”
The units each completed an array of training at their respective home stations as well as a month of preparation
at Fort Bliss, with the Directorate of Plans, Training,
Mobilization and Security.
“Training out at McGregor Range helped give us a lot of work on our tactical skills and
convoy skills. It was good to be out here and get that experience before we get ready to deploy,” Jacobs said.
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The Meaning of Five More Minutes
A father sat at a park watching his daughter play
on the swing. A mother sat next to him and they
began chatting as her son climbed the jungle gym.
The father called out to his daughter:
"Mary! It's time to go!"
"Five more minutes, Daddy!" The little girl
pleaded. "Just five more minutes?" He smiled. "OK.
Five more minutes."
The father waited much longer that five minutes,
then called to his daughter again. Once again, the child asked for five more minutes, and
the father nodded.
"You're very patient." The mother commented.
The father nodded again. "Her older brother just went off to college. I often worked long
hours and didn't spend enough time with him, and now I miss him. So while my daughter
thinks she's getting five more minutes to play, I'm getting five more minutes to watch
her."
We Thrive in Uncertainty
The scene is a lecture room in a medical facility of a university.
The emirate professor of medicine is addressing the students after
completing their final exams.
"Ladies and gentlemen," he says, "I congratulate you all on
completing this course. I wish you all well in your future honorable
profession.
That leaves only two more things to say.
The first is this: half of the things I have taught you as medical facts are, in fact,
false!
The second is that neither I nor anyone else today knows which half!
Sometimes, the end of school is the beginning of your true education."
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MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION October 2017 – September 2019
I hereby apply for membership in the 416th ENCOM Association:
______ Two Year Membership ($10.00)
______ Lifetime Membership ($100.00 One Time fee)
______ Associate Membership ($5.00)
Signature: _______________________________________ Date: ______________
Payment can be made by check or PayPal on the website www.encomassociation.info
NOTE: When using PayPal, you will need to fill out the online member change form at: http://
www.encomassociation.info/members_files/CurrentMemberChange.html
Please make check payable to the 416th ENCOM Association and mail completed form to:
COL (R) John Erickson
108 E. Olive Ave.
Prospect Heights, IL 60070-1553
Current Member Change / Update Records Request:
Name: Last _______________________________First _____________________ M. __________
Spouse _______________________
Location: Address _______________________________State_____ Zip_____________
E-mail _______________________________
Contact Info: Home Phone __________________________
Work __________________________ Cell __________________________
Army Info: Rank ____________
Last Unit Served: _________________ Retirement Date: ___________ (If not retired please state active).
Remarks: ___________________________________________________________________________________
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th
416 ENCOM Support to Operation Enduring Freedom 2001
John A. P. Gessner
It was 15 years ago, in October 2001, within one month of the attack on the World Trade Center and Pentagon, Army Central Command
(ARCENT) had deployed 3rd Army to Camp Doha, Kuwait. With that force was the 416th Forward Element from Fort McPherson supplemented by members of the 416th ENCOM HQ. Throughout the next 4 months, the forward element grew to include a planning and operations cell and an engineering cell plus numerous Facility Engineer Teams (FETs) deployed throughout the theater. This forward element coordinated engineer missions and support to the theater 9-14 months before the main body of the 416th arrived to assume theater engineer responsibilities.
This early theater opening phase provided numerous challenges to the forward cell but none were insurmountable since the ENCOM
had trained for just such a mission since the closing days of Operation Desert Storm. The team was headed up by COL Gerald Fontenot,
LTC Phil Temple, SGM Riley and later SGM Rusty Elliott. The Planning Cell was headed up by LTC Mike Lynch. Their duties were to analyze and plan missions for the ongoing OEF and future operations for potential OIF. The Engineer Cell was headed up LTC John Gessner
and executed engineer designs and construction missions throughout theater. Mission areas included Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Kuwait,
Djibouti and Jordan. Initial engineer projects included Patriot Missile Battery sites, Forward Operating Bases, Logistic Supply Areas, support to the Kuwaiti port and the construction of a 200-mile pipeline to the border of Iraq and eventually into Iraq.
Of particular note was the support to the forward bases. Each major base had a FET which acted as the base engineer. These 7-person
teams provided planning and execution of projects in support of base operations in austere locations such as Bagram and Kandahar,
Afghanistan, Uzbekistan and Kuwait. Eventually every FET would rotate though theater providing essential base support operations. A
forward cell was collocated with CENTCOM I the country of Qatar. Another forward team was sent to reopen the abandoned French
Camp Lemonier in Djibouti. Initially planned to support 80 Special Operation troops, the camp grew in number to 2000, to include an
extension to the International Airport runway and expedient hangars for military aircraft. Of particular note was the deployment of
engineers to Afghanistan in the early months of OEF. LTC Dan Deeter became the base engineer at Kandahar supporting the Marines
and 101st Airborne. LTC Phil Temple initially acted as the US base commander at Bagram until a Colonel from the G-3 was deployed.
Assisting LTC Temple was CPT Matt Baker working with the 10th Mountain Division. Many of you will recognize his name as the current
Chief of Staff of the 416th TEC. Both LTC Deeter and Temple would receive the 1st bronze stars awarded to 416th personnel during OEF.
The attached photo shows most of the team that was stationed at Kuwait when visited by the then Commander and CSM of the 416 th,
MG Anthony Kropp and CSM Bill Lake.
This forward element set the stage
for the deployment of the 416th Main
body and the eventual 10-year continuous presence of the 416th in theater.
Photo from left to right: SFC Antonio
Jones (now CSM of USACE), CPT Jim
Moore, CPT Mike Ryan, CPT Mark
McLain, LTC John Gessner, COL Gerald
Fontenot, SPC Charles Tracy (with
Guidon), LTC Phil Temple, LTC Mike
Lynch, LTC Jerry Wing, CSM Bill Lake,
SPC Julio Hernandez, MAJ John Reilly,
SGM Rusty Elliott, CPT Matt Baker,
MAJ Mark Brantley, SGT Alton Spencer and MAJ Mark Hovatter.
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FORMER 416th MEMBERS STILL SERVING
John A. P. Gessner
As is our tradition, former members of the 416th ENCOM and TEC continue to serve and support our nation,
veterans, families and soldiers. As such, many of us are involved in our local communities and veteran’s
organizations. One such group are the Army Reserve Ambassadors who, on a voluntary basis, work for and are
an extension of the Chief of the Army Reserves. Ambassadors promote the army reserve mission, vision,
soldier and family programs, visit and interact with soldiers, families and units, and represent the Chief nationwide. Ambassadors also work with ROTC units and have the ability to recommend Minuteman ROTC
Scholarships for deserving USAR college enrolled soldiers.
Of the current 86 nation-wide Ambassadors, six are former 416th unit members. At a recent Ambassador
conference held at Fort McCoy, WI, five were in attendance. Pictured here, from left to right are: COL (Ret)
Gerry Meyer (WI), former G-1, OIF; COL (Ret) John Gessner (WI), former G-3 and G-7, OEF and OIF; former CSM
(Ret) Bill Lake (IL), lead up to OIF; former CSM (Ret) Doug Gibbons (IN); and COL (Ret) Bill Hawes (IL), former
Facility Engineer and Operations Desert Shield/Storm. Not pictured is COL (Ret) John Lendrum (OH), former G-3
and Chief of Staff, OIF. Another notable Ambassador is BG (Ret) Jack Kotter who was formerly an Illinois
Ambassador.
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ENGINEER AUGMENTATION TEAMS DEPLYOYED TO SAUDIA ARABIA 1996
John A. P. Gessner
20 years ago this Fall, the 416th ENCOM was called upon to deploy two engineer augmentation teams to
Dhahran, Saudi Arabia in repose to the terrorist attack on Khobar Towers. Originally occupied by US forces
following Desert Storm, the compound, specifically building 131 was attacked by terrorists using a truck bomb
on June 25, 1996, 19 personnel were killed and 498 were wounded in the attack. Responsibility for the attack
was placed on Iran and Hezbollah.
The terrorists initially attempted to enter the main checkpoint but were denied access. They were successful
in entering through a back gate, parking the truck and leaving the scene in another vehicle. Air Force Staff
Sergeant Alfredo Guerrero was on guard duty on top of building 131 and noticed the threat. He immediately
took actions to evacuate the building and is credited with saving dozens of lives. He was later awarded the
A flag place in one of the rooms as a
tribute to the lost service members.
Engineer Augmentation team 2 (left to right): CPT Steve Passey, MAJ John Gessner, CPT Charles
Beachnau, MAJ John Patrick, SGT Richard Waters, SGM Bruce Sibbald and SGT Craig Bivens. Not shown:
1LT Don Price and SSG Jackson.
Airman’s Medal for his lifesaving actions. The blast was so powerful that it shattered windows in the
compound at least a mile away. When the augmentation teams deployed there was still debris and shattered
glass throughout the compound. The base engineer quickly realized that he needed additional assets to
coordinate cleanup operations and to prepare to move US forces to the Saudi Prince Sultan Air Base. Many
will remember this base as Jack and Jill, used by the 101 st Airborne Division to launch its attack during Desert
Storm. Within a few days of notice, Team 1 deployed in mid-August to Dhahran, was housed at Khobar
Towers and worked out of Lucky Base coordinating Engineer Operations. Team 2 deployed in midSeptember, both for 30 day deployments. another example of our word-wide mission. (continued on next
page)
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ENGINEER AUGMENTATION TEAMS DEPLYOYED TO SAUDIA ARABIA 1996 (Continued)
John A. P. Gessner
The teams responded to project requests from the base engineer, most being number 1 priorities. Besides the
environmental concerns, the teams faced the challenge
common to these deployments, that of working with
individuals they had met for first time. The teams gelled
quickly, so much so that in the out brief to COL (later MG)
Robert Heine, it was said that, “the teams worked, ate and
slept closely together…well, at least slept in the same
building.” The teams became so close that typical military
humor emerged to include CPT Charles Beachnau throwing
a (rubber) snake into the shower with MAJ (later COL)
Destroyed HUMMV near the
Gessner. It was a quick exit from the shower amidst loud
blast site.
laughter.
Beyond the successful mission accomplishment, the
teams gained valuable experience and lessons learned.
First was the achieving experience in rapid deployment.
Secondly, gaining experience working in the region.
While opportunities were limited, the teams were able
survey the landscape, gaining valuable experience that
would assist in writing war plans and preparing designs
future missions such as pipelines. A straight line on the
map does not equate well with crossing the desert with
Khobar Towers south side street
with building 131 at the far end.
Each of these buildings received
damage to include windows
shattering and doors blown
off of hinges.
to
for
Building 131 following the blast. The side walls bowed out causing the face of the building to drop.
wadis and sheer cliffs. One of the ongoing missions was to
construct K-spans. Observing local country nationals it was
noticed that they used a 2-man drill team. One operated
the power drill while another held 2 wires (with no plug)
into an outlet. Further, the four NCO’s on the team stayed
for both deployments and had the opportunity to train
active duty engineers on Cadd processes.
This rapid response mission displayed the high level of
engineering assets that the ENCOM and TEC have available
as a combat multiplier, and are another example of our word-wide mission.
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ENCOM Association Members gather
at Fort Belvoir and Quantico …….
Members of the 416th ENCOM Association held their annual northeast reunion on
Friday and Saturday, June 10-11 in historic Virginia and Fort Belvoir original home
to our Engineers School and Quantico’s National Museum of the Marine Corps.
Approximately, thirty members and spouses/guests attended. The event began on
Friday evening with an informal reception at the Bar / Lounge, Embassy Suites
Springfield Hotel, and our beautiful accommodation for the weekend. All were able
to socialize and renew old friendships, many who we had not seen in years.
Saturday morning our group toured one of the nation’s most beloved historic sites,
Mount Vernon. George Washington and the American Revolution lived again when
we visited his estate resting high on the bluffs of the Potomac River. Some of us
had visited in years gone by, but with the years of serving our country behind us
and with time to reflect, this visit seemed to resound in the depths of our beings.
Amplified by videos, the outstanding museum on the property, and the narration
given by our interpreters, our levels of patriotism were raised to new heights. The immersion into the total history of
the Father of Our Country and his unmatched contributions to procure and secure a free nation was thrilling and
emotional.
The house and grounds and the reminder of how life was lived in days of yore – even by those of means – gave us
renewed appreciation of the lives we live today and the conveniences not enjoyed in the 18th century. The efforts
by those who have restored and maintained the property are commendable. Those of us who made the trip would
recommend a visit by all who have not done so in the recent past. The house, the gardens, the out-buildings, and
the overall site, including the tomb of George Washington, gave us pleasure, insight, and a new appreciation for
this man and his contributions to our way of life that we so often take for granted.
Some of us experienced the opportune moment to be at Washington’s tomb when it was time to lay a ceremonial
memorial wreath on the crypt, made even more extraordinary by assisting a 90+ year-old WW II veteran in a
wheelchair having the honor of placing the wreath. Not many dry eyes were to be seen when he thanked those
who witnessed the act for his having such a special and unforgettable opportunity.
Some of us took the opportunity to take a boat ride on the Potomac that departs
from and returns to a dock that is on the grounds of Mt. Vernon. What a sight it is to
view from the water General Washington’s Mt. Vernon on that magnificent bluff high
above the river with its stately white columns gleaming and Old Glory proudly flying.
If you are in the vicinity, you should take the time (at least half a day) to experience
history and be reminded of how the United States of America was realized – blood,
sweat, tears, freezing temperatures, and human frailties to overcome.
After lunch we met at Quantico Marine Base to tour the National Museum of the Marine Corps. The museum is
located on a 135 acre site adjacent to the Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia. The structure is 120,000 square
feet of amazing interactive exhibits.
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ENCOM Association Members gather at Fort Belvoir and Quantico …….
The exhibits begin with World War I and took you through contemporary times. In immersive exhibits, we
took our place alongside Marines in battle. Aircraft, tanks, and other vehicles
were prominently displayed, and period uniforms, weapons, medals, flags,
and other artifacts help us trace the history of the Corps. Ones emotions can
be stimulated as you walk through these exhibits which reflect many of our
own experiences in the Army. The tour was enjoyed by everyone who
attended. If you are ever in the area, you don’t want to miss this opportunity.
Saturday evening we gather for a reception and dinner at the Yorktown Room
in the Fort Belvoir Officers Club which combined military history and prestige with fine dining and customer
service. Built in 1935 on a majestic cliff over the Potomac River, the Officers'
Club represents a proud military heritage at Fort Belvoir. Our guest and
speaker for the occasion was Maj. Gen. Bob Carlson, Commanding General
Transatlantic Division, U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers. Bob is one of us, serving as a major on
the 416th ENCOM’s Fort Meade Facility
Engineering Team.
Bob provided an entertaining slide show depicting his day at USACE and
responsibilities wearing several hats, Deputy Chief of Engineers (DCOE),
DCG USACE - Reserve Affairs and CG Transatlantic Division. The
Transatlantic Division provides design, construction execution and related
engineering services in Direct Support of CENTCOM and other activities
within the CENTCOM area of responsibility to establish the conditions for
regional security, stability, and prosperity; and on order, support for USACE
world-wide contingency operations. His most interesting stories were the
replacement of the Bahrain Flyover Bridge and the repair of the dam above
Mosul, Iraq. The current conditions at the dam are seepage passes into and through network of solution
features in the foundation. This leads to progressive erosion of materials
through the foundation and to collapse and breach of embankment. The short
term fix is grouting but the long term solution is the construction of a cutoff
wall.
From the attendees’ feedback, this may have been another very best northeast
reunions. This truly was a very special weekend and all who participated came away richer in the military
history and more grateful for the sacrifices that were made by our military. Join us in 2018 at Richmond,
Virginia, Civil War sites and Fort Lee.
Submitted by Fran Strouse
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Photos from the early days in Kuwait
(Warehouse Photo): Building 16 on Camp Doha where many of us were housed. Several 1000 soldiers on bunk beds spaced approximately five feet apart. SFC (later CSM) Russ Nelson was on the
Doha closing team. His shirt read: "I don't know where you are going but you can't stay here."
(Blue sign): LTC (later COL) John Gessner and SGM Rusty Elliott at the UN
Compound on the former "Highway of Death." This is about 3 miles from the
Iraqi border, the closest we could venture in the early days.
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Photos from the early days in Kuwait
(Empty Camp Arifijan): Camp Arifjan before occupation April 2002. CPT (later LTC) Mike
Ryan designed the facilities that would eventually house over 20,000 troops including
the three exterior tent camps.
(Hawaiian Shirts): Facility Engineer Team commanded by LTC (later COL) Garth Anderson. The FET was scheduled to deploy to Hawaii
but was diverted to Kuwait and later served as the base engineer in Kandahar, Afghanistan.
John A. P. Gessner
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Volume 16 ,Number 1, Spring, 2016
416th Theater Engineer Command
10S100 South Frontage Road
Darien, IL 60561-1780
William Lake……………Publisher
[email protected]
www.encomassociation.info