Issue 4, Fall/Winter 2010 INSIDE TheNews andCastle Information from the 412th Theater Engineer Command Operation Sand Castle 2009 Farewell DCP One Page 12 Soldiers save woman, receive key to city Page 7 As the July sun sets over the Mojave Desert, Soldiers of the 647th Regional Support Group, from El Paso, Texas bring in supplies to set up a forward operating base in preparation of Operation Sand Castle 2009, one of the largest military engineer training exercises conducted at the National Training Center. Photo by Pfc. Ryan Gilbertson, 204th Public Affairs Detachment Fall/Winter 10 27 Inside the Castle CONTENTS A word from the Commander 5 A word from the Commander Inside the Castle ommand Sgt. Maj. TEC. The Joint Forces Engineer Sergeant Major, Command Sgt. Maj. Fall/Winter 2010 Ronald Flubacher and I 6 Command Sergeant Major’s Corner Command (JFEC) was activated to Guy Taylor, are leading the JFEC in Commander had the opportunity in serve as the this endeavor. I am very proud of Maj. Gen. Paul F. Hamm October to visit some of theater-level engineer headquarters the unit that has been assembled to 7 Mayor honors Soldiers for saving woman Deputy Commander C Big. Gen. Jimmy E. Fowler our Soldiers and units from the in a ceremony held in Afghanistan. meet the mission requirements and 412th TEC serving in Iraq. We Command Sergeant Major The JFEC mission is to manage make history. Let’s take pride in our 8 Taming the Tigris 8 Command Sgt. Maj. Ronald F. Flubacker were enormously proud to visit the construction effects throughout Army Reserve engineer unit for this Pulblic Affairs Officer such a great group of Soldiers the country, provide engineer and undertaking. 10 Soldiers reenlist at Fenway Park Lt. Col. Doril Sanders who had positive attitudes, great construction advice to the U.S. Thanks to Lt. Gen. Robert Van Deputy Public Affairs Officer motivation, and a huge desire to Forces-Afghanistan Antwerp for the journey Maj. Jesse Stalder Operation Sand Castle 2009 accomplish the mission, and do an Commanding over the past year which 12 Public Affairs NCO/ Editor Sgt. 1st Class Phillip Eugene outstanding job. We were honored General. The has enabled the DCP to by their presence and thanked JFEC also provides morph into the JFEC. He is 14 A warriors’ send off them all for their service to our command and the Chief of Engineers and country. Flubacher and I were control to all the Commanding General 16 Soldier proud of Army’s work in 10 12 energized as we interacted with engineer forces at of the U.S. Army Corps of Afghanistan our Soldiers. We acknowledged echelons above Engineers. It was through the huge sacrifices that they and brigade to include his vision, coordination, 18 The time honored art of river crossing their families are making on behalf Army Engineers, interaction, faith, and trust of the United States. Navy Seabees, and Maj. Gen. Paul F. Hamm in us that allowed the DCP Our plans were to visit all Air Force Red Horse to take on this important Army Reserve and Connecticut Auto 19 Retailers Association sign Employers the 412th TEC units in Iraq, and Prime Beef role. He is a huge supporter Partnership but there were limitations on units. In addition, the commander of both TEC’s (412th and 416th) time and travel. So we visited JFEC-A serves as the Director, and a firm believer in the abilities 20 Safety on the job 14 the 844th Engineer Battalion in International Security Assistance and experience that we bring to the Camp Victory, the 314th Public Force . theater. Affairs Operations Center in the The JFEC comprised of 70 We wish the newly-formed JFEC 21 A reason to run International Zone, and the 375th Soldiers from the Deployable the very best. Godspeed for their Engineer Company in Tallil. Command Post (DCP). Most of safety and well-being as they support 22 A reason to run We hope that our visit these Soldiers came from the 412th the theater commander to meet the reassured them with the message headquarters. However, some were strategic goals of the United States in 22 In support of Patriot Warrior that we care about them and their augmentees from our downtrace Afghanistan. Inside the Castle is a semiannual, unofficial publication authorized under well-being at all times. We also units. I want to thank everyone for their the provisions of Army regulation 360-1 visited other Army Reserve units. The stand-up of the JFEC is service, whether they are deployed 16 18 The opinions and views expressed in this publication are not necessarily of- Our purpose for visiting the Army historic for the 412th TEC as well or not, and appreciate the fact ficial views of, or endorced by, the U.S. Reserve units and Soldiers was as the U.S. Army Reserve and the that everyone within the TEC has Cover Story - Page 12 Government, Department of Defense or Spc. Randy Lemke, combat engi- Department of the Army. to thank them for their service U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. volunteered to be an Army Reserve neer from the 492nd Combat En- Letters and comments are wel- and to identify any issues that we This arrangement has never been Soldier. I challenge everyone to gineer Company, attaches cables comed by the staff and should be sent to: The 412th Theater Engineer Com- might be able to resolve for them used in a theater of operations perform their duties to best of their to a crane before lifting metal mand, Public Affairs office, ATTN: or future Soldiers deploying in before, thus is a first for an Army abilities; and improve their skills, sheeting into place at Forward Inside the Castle, 1265 Porters Chapel Operating Base Miami, National Rd., Viscksburg, MS 39180-5790 or harm’s way. Reserve unit to be tasked with such knowledge, and physical fitness Training Center, Fort Irwin, Calif. e-mail [email protected] or A great event occurred a a mission. every day. Many thanks for what you Photo by Sgt. Brent C. Powell, phone 601-631-6103. 204th Public Affairs Detachment During Operation Sand Castle 2009. 21 few weeks ago in Afghanistan My Deputy Commander, Brig. do for the U.S. Army! which brought pride to the 412th Gen. Bill Buckler and Command Fall/Winter 10 5 Inside the Castle Inside the Castle her,’ just in case she had suffered any spinal injuries,” said McLaughlin. Command Sergeant Major’s Corner The Soldiers needed to act quickly because electrical wires from the telephone pole had landed on the car. would like to wish everyone a reducing our Non-Participants. the next generation of NCOs will Once he was sure that the woman could be moved, very Happy New Year. We just Knowing ahead of time that a also be incapable of performing McLaughlin and the other Soldiers pried the car doors completed 2009, which was the Soldier needs to attend a NCOES those tasks. open and lifted her out of it. “Year of the Noncommissioned course and then subsequently Take care of the Soldiers you 1st Lt. Peter Torromeo, 368th Forward Support Com- I getting the Soldier enrolled in currently have because they are pany executive officer, directed traffic and performed Officer”. The formality of the “Year of the NCO” has ended, that course will reduce the NCOs of tomorrow. The crowd control until the police arrived. but not the spirit. The the number of NCOs not enlisted ranks are made up of “Their military training took over, and there was not NCO is vitally important enrolled. This type of NCOs and future NCOs. This one ounce of hesitation; they took charge of the situation in preparing our Soldiers attention to detail will pave means that we are the trainers and and there is no doubt in my mind they saved that young and units to deploy in the way for more of our future trainers of today’s Army. lady from further injury,” said Bristol Mayor Arthur J. support of the combatant NCOs to get promoted. The secretary of the Army Ward. commander during these Knowing the through established 2009 as the year of Ward was with the Soldiers at the American Legion times of date of the Soldier’s last the NCO, because the Army’s post at the time of the accident, and he witnessed the persistent conflict. NCOER will reduce our Noncommissioned Officer Corps rescue. photo illustration Ward gave each Soldier a key to the city and in a proc- With a new year late evaluations. Having has distinguished itself as the Mayor Arthur J. Ward, Bristol, Conn., reads Proclamation recognizing lamation during a ceremony in Connecticut on Nov., 4, many of us set goals for Command Sgt. Maj. Ronald Flubacker the date of the worlds most accomplished group 368th Engineer Battalion Soldiers who saved a car accident victim. ourselves. I challenge Soldiers last weapons of military professionals. Let’s 2009; he said the city of Bristol and the accident victim all the NCOs within this qualification, APFT and Height continue this tradition into 2010 Mayor honors Soldiers were greatly indebted to the Soldiers for their quick ac- command to set one goal this year. Weight will improve the metrics as and beyond within this command. tion and compassionate character. Get to know your Soldiers. well. Finally, let’s incorporate safety for saving woman The 368th which is based in Londonderry, N.H. has Story and Photos by Let’s re-establish Leader books. It is the NCO’s job to provide into everything we do.