591st June Newsletter

8/6/2019 591st June Newsletter

1/13

WOW- Another blazing hot month has come and gone so fast it seems like it went in faster than a lightning bolt. We have settled in and

begun our true operations as the Route Clearance Company we were sent here to be. As we arrived and settled our higher headquarterswe are working for switched out. We are now getting to know a little about how to support a Cavalry unit. A small change from working

with the Infantry but we all have one common goal- complete the mission and return home safely 100% intact. Additionally, we have

stepped up to the plate and begun an Advise Train and Assist partnership with an Iraqi Army Field Engineer Regiment. Business wise the

company feels like Google taking off as the 591st is now the talk of the town and we have become high demand for our services. The XO

and 1SG will tell you more about our adventures in the next couple pages.

Aside from the route clearance patrols and partnership the company has been very proud of the Soldiers who represent the 591st as we

have seen many promotions and E4s getting promotable status to SGT over the last 30 days. It is truly a privilege to see So ldiers being

recognized for their performance as leaders. I am going to talk about a Soldier, one of many to be very proud of: PFC Holzinger was

promoted to the rank SPC through the orders of the United States Forces Iraq. This is the first time in my 16 year career I have seen a Battle

Field Promotion and based on his driven work ethic and leadership potential he is very deserving of a higher rank and responsibility. I hope

to see more Soldiers who deserve this honor get the same recognition in the future. By the way, all this came from the hard work and effort

of the Soldier, the hard work and effort of the platoon leadership and most importantly in this stage, the hard work and consistent pursuit of

this promotion by 1SG Skidmore. This unit is blessed to have such a fine Senior Noncommissioned Officer lead from the front yet have a

working relationship with each Soldier from SFC to PVT.

We have had our share of goodbyes this month as two of our finest in SSG Bryant and PFC Holland return to the rear for conditions beyond

their control. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Bryant family as they go through a trying time and PFC Holland returns for surgery to

his knee, we look forward to getting them back with the team once we re-deploy. Also, we had two well respected Soldiers prepare to

leave the service in pursuit of their dreams after the military. We thank them for what they have done as both were recognized prior to

leaving theater. These fine young men will achieve anything they set their mind to as they are winners and represented the 591st and 326th

with distinction. Good luck to SPC Morton and SPC Diaz, they served this country honorably and that is all I could ever ask as a commander.

On July 6th, I look forward to seeing as many of the FRG that can make it as I will be back on R/R. We will talk about the current activities of

our team, the future considerations of the company while deployed as well as upon our return, and basically have an open forum to talk

about the FRGs future. I have committed myself to get not only the newsletter but pictures of your spouses, friends, sons, and grandsons

on the 326th Engineer Battalion Face-book so take a moment and take a look. The starting photos do not have write ups but in the future

we will identify the people and actions. Last comment on FRG, I want it to be a conduit of information both from the front to the rear and

rear to the front, a friendly group who look forward to getting together, and a source of social and military support.Until Next Month, Take Care, God Bless, and GO PHILLIES. CPT Mark Welch

Company CommanDErs CornEr

CPT MARK WELCH

591st Engineer Company (Sapper) Newsletter

June 2011


2/13

Hello, again! The Sappers of the 591 st have kept busy thismonth. They have participated in constant route clearanceoperations and tying in with the Iraqi Armys engineers aswell. Their professionalism and progress in our new area ofoperation has been applauded at higher echelons up to theCommanding General of U.S. Forces in Iraq, be proud of them.This month we had the honor of promoting Jonathan Garza toStaff Sergeant. Michael McConnell received his Corporalstripes, the first step in the realm of being a

Noncommissioned Officer. Another first for me happenedwhen Joseph Holzinger was approved for a battlefieldpromotion to Specialist. We were also honored to promoteKyle Watson and Darrell Dockery to Specialist, Ronny Moya-Panniagua, and Dennis Chua to Private First Class as well. Iwould like to congratulate SGT Eric Westbrook, SPC MatthewCascio, and SPC Jamal Lucas on successfully passing thepromotion board and receiving their promotable status. Iwould also like to say good luck to SPC Miltiades Diaz and SPCDouglas Morton as they leave the Company and the US Army

to start new careers.

I am hearing that a lot rumors are floating around back homeconcerning our redeployment date. We will let you know assoon as we know, but expect a full 12 month tour. If it is less,we will all be happy.

Until next month, be safe!

FIrst sErGEants soap BoX

1SG KEITH SKIDMORE

SSG Seth Walls pinning SSG

Jonathan Garzas new rank. SSG Jay Kavanagh welcoming

CPL Michael McConnell to

the NCO ranks

The 591st

s newly promoted NCOs and Soldiers


3/13

Hello to all. 1SG talked about some of the promotions we

have had over the past month. It is always a great thing to see

people get the recognition and reward they deserve from

hard work and performance. It is another reminder that your

men are getting the job done out here in all areas regardless

of the circumstances.

We recently had a farewell awards ceremony for SPCs

Miltiades Diaz and Douglas Morton. They will be heading back

to the States soon due to their upcoming release from theArmy. They were both former 2nd Platoon members but the

entire Company will miss them for the way they always got

the job done with a great attitude. Their humor in the worst

times kept us sane. They can drink a cold beer back in the

States knowing they are part of a small minority who have

served this Nation honorably in a time of war.

Finally, the operations section and maintenance team have

continued to kick butt up in COB Speicher. SFC Ipatzi has taken

over the reins as Operations Sergeant and has done an

incredible job managing the personnel, resourcing, and

operations of the entire Company. The last 5 months have

gone by fast and we intend to work hard til the end.

All good things,

CPT Donald Gustavson

Xos two CEnts

CPT DONALD GUSTAVSON SPCs Diaz and Mortonafter receiving their

awardsthey will be

sorely missed!

PFCs Mead and

Hutchinson receiving

the Combat Medical

Badge and Combat

Action Badge,

respectively.


4/13

The company headquarters section has continued to do an outstanding job ensuring that the line

Platoons are fully resourced and supported to conduct their combat mission. Our mechanics, supply team,

communications, operations personnel, and company command team work their butts off and maintain a

positive attitude.

LT Gus, SPC Ingarra of the 391st EN CO on

loan to us, and PFC Gibson take a quick

photo op during some training with the

FER. The mechanics have been a huge

help to the Iraqis in refining their

maintenance program.

1SG Skidmore watches over

SAPPERLAND

Mechanics working on the Deer, a

Chinese Toyota knockoff that wassalvaged from the scrap yard. They

had it runningfor a while.


5/13

Newly promoted SPC Dockery looking

good out on mission when he isnt

beating everyone at horseshoes.

SGT Wade at work and smiling on

one of our Route Clearance vehicles.

He is rocking some awesome

coveralls.

PFC Commo Jones at work during

one of our patrols. PFC Jones has

worked long hours ensuring all of our

complicated communications

systems stay up and running


6/13

SPCs Morton and Diaz saying their

farewells to the Company prior to

leaving theater. It was sad to see

these great Soldiers go but great to

see them get the recognition they

deserve for a job well done!

Our Company Commander speaks

with Iraqi Army leadership about

future training events and joint

patrols. Ensuring that our

counterparts are prepared to take

over our mission once we depart is a

key component to our success.


7/13

1LT RYAN ROCCO OCONNOR SFC MICHAEL THE BEAST COMFORT

Hello again from Iraq! Congratulations to SPC Lucas and SPC Cascio who earned their promotable status

on their next step to becoming NCOs. Our condolences go out to SSG Bryant and his family whos Father

has become ill causing SSG Bryant to return home we will miss his leadership. Happy Birthday to Mrs.

Cascio and Mrs. Hutchinson who had their birthdays this month, so how old are you really ladies? 1st PLThas remained very busy this month, between clearing routes, training, and physical fitness. We have also

continued to assist the Iraqi Engineers in their training. The Soldiers enjoy training with them and being

able to learn about their culture. Our camaraderie as a team is bonded through trading patches

between the Soldiers. Pictures say 1,000 words and here below are a few of the platoon. Please look for

more photos of your loved ones on facebook at The 326th Engineer Battalion, 591st photos. Enjoy.

SPC Brown and his new

friend Steven from the

Baji Oil Refinery,

Sappers make friends in

the darndest of places.

PFC Hunt Skelator

Breathes fire, an

illusion from the Oil

Refinery

PFC Mead interacting

With Iraqi Police


8/13

Sappers taking

some down time.

SGT Casoose JuneBug

Demonstrating the proper technique

Of an officer being technically and

tactically proficient???

1LT OConnor, SGT Woeltje

And SGT Deweese, a meeting ofThe minds, it was a small meeting

PFC Ross chillin after a mission,

thats what he does on mission

too. So I guess he is always on

missions. Just Joking.SGT Deweese radio check over?

SFC Comfort roger I am 1 foot away

- one day you too will be a SFC


9/13

1LT RYAN ROCCO OCONNOR SFC MICHAEL THE BEAST COMFORT

1ST Platoon SAPPERS EAT THEIR DEAD

Til Next Month- Take Care and God Bless


10/13

2LT JAMES TASK FORCE LOWE SSG SETH IRON MAN WALLS

PFC THOMAS

Hello mom and Megan! I miss you all. I am

doing okay and I will be home soon. Keep me in

your prayers and wishes. I will be home before

you know it. For my son Tylan, I love you and I

am ready to get back home to you.

SPC EARLY

Hey just throwing a shout out to my wife

and my mother. I love you all and I cant

wait to be in the States. I am doing fineand time is going by fast! You guys

know the drill. Love ya. I would also like

to say thank you to the 591st Veterans

Association. Thank you guys for the

sacrifices you have made and the

support you provide to us.


11/13

PFC HOLTCLAW

Hey, just want to let my family know

Im doing well and I hope you guys are

too. Thank you to everyone for all the

support and prayers. I will be homebefore you know it. I miss you all!

SPC WEEKS

Hi to everybody reading this, Im doing awesome,

and thank you all for your support. I will be back

shortly and cannot wait to be back in the States

with everyone again. To the 591st Veterans

Association: thank you guys for the newsletters and

keeping us up to date while we are here. The

support you provide has greatly helped to raise thespirits of your fellow Sappers!


12/13

1LT Huey Schmidt SFC McVay Tippett

The Soldiers of 3rd Platoon is doing well here in our new home at COB Speicher, Iraq. Our mission tempo

has picked up and this keeps us busy and happy. If you dont like the weather at Speicher just wait three

minutes or three days depending. We get more than our fair share of dusty lung. Its awesome when

visibility on the roads goes from 100% to negative 10% in minutes, but we do love a challenge. We

decided to stray from a Platoon photo this month and instead decided on showing one of the locals inthe area. We hope you are all safe and well and know that we miss you all everyday.

Why we are here, in case anyone forgot.

This is the Iraqi traffic police at

checkpoint, go ahead and speed.

SPC Hufford

SFC Tippett and PFC Anglin operating

equipment at an adjacent units

compound during their free time. This

work was much needed for the

development of their new living area.

PFC Anglin in a chopper


13/13

2nd Squad after a

hard night of training.

SPC Holzinger and PFC

Rodriguez: I have no

idea whats going on

here, but theyre the

two best friends thatanybody could ever

have

Soldiers seen here are conducting vehicular

Medical evacuation training. It looks like a bad

day but only for pretend.

PFC Flanagan: The gyms

that way.

591st June Newsletter

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