News from the Front

Dear 2E Family and Friends,

Hello from Afghanistan! We are still building combat power and our life support areas are still under construction but we are safe and doing well. We are currently conducting split operations – 595 Sapper and 40 MAC flew into Bagram Airfield (BAF) and are drawing equipment and preparing for their movement north from BAF to DehDadi (DD2) near Mazar-E Sharif (MeS). HHC and FSC flew into Camp Marmal and are at DehDadi2 where they are also drawing equipment, preparing to support Sapper and MAC’s movement and follow-on missions, and establishing our “home base” life support and command and control nodes. Additionally, we have an element at Camp Marmal who will interface with our higher headquarters, Regional Command – North (RC-N) staff as we plan, coordinate, and synchronize our assets with those of RC-N.

By the time you read this, we hope to be consolidated at DehDadi2, conducting final preparations, planning, and training prior to pushing out to locations nearer to those we are supporting to execute our follow-on missions. It may be the first and last time we will be together until we re-deploy next year.

While certain comforts are limited (or lacking all together), all our basic needs are being met. Some Soldiers are living in large, transient “RSOI tents” and others live in tents with little to no air or power, but generally life support and conditions at Bagram, DehDadi2 and Marmal are comparatively good. We are relatively safe, have access to food, showers, latrines, and gyms, and have cots and tents to sleep in.

However, we still all look very forward to calling someplace “home,” unpacking and getting settled so we can begin conducting our missions.

DD2 is still under construction with much work yet to be accomplished before we can completely occupy and be fully functional. HHC and FSC is working hard with the Navy Seabees to construct forms, pour the concrete pads, erect tents, connect power and environmental control units, as well as shower and latrine units. Additionally, we are operating the Seabees’ heavy equipment to level the land for our motor pools and life support areas. Movements between camps are cumbersome – we are thumbing rides until we can man vehicles with a full complement of ammunition and communications gear.

I’m glad to know that many of you are receiving consistent communications from your loved one. Many Soldiers have purchased Roshan or satellite phones, are placing 15 minute “morale calls” using available DSN phones, or are using SPAWAR or MWR-provided internet services that are available in some locations. We are still awaiting approval and procurement of the battalion’s government-provided Roshan/cell phones as well as better connectivity for our e-mail and internet systems. After we push out to our follow-on camps, these capabilities may change - either for the better or for the worse – but we will continue to do everything we can to ensure all Soldiers are afforded the opportunity to communicate back home.

Seemingly simple actions can be very difficult, easy coordination hard, basic communication difficult, and short movements long. Needless to say there are many frustrations, but we expected that from the get-go. Many believe that establishing ourselves here in the middle of the desert in Afghanistan is very similar to standing up a battalion on a remote installation in the middle of the desert in the United States.

As such, I am extremely proud of the work that’s been accomplished so far by our Soldiers, NCOs and officers. They came here with very little information and guidance and through their initiative and perseverance have taken the horse by the reins and made something out of very little. Morale seems to be fairly high, as long as there is work to be done and a goal to be met. You should be proud of the professionalism, commitment, and discipline of our Soldiers. I know I am.

We miss you all very much and enjoy receiving your letters, packages, and prayers. Thanks for keeping us in your thoughts. You’ve definitely been in ours. We hope you are all getting along OK back home and that you are receiving the support and assistance you need. Thanks for your continuing support of our Soldiers and the battalion. 2E!

Sapper 6