Volume 1, Issue 2 01 JUNE 2011

Commanders Note
By: CPT Ryan Strong
Greeting Friends and Family of the 391st! It's been an interesting month for the Hollywood Team. A lot of your loved ones were involved in a rather interesting project in Northern Iraq for a good portion of this month. At one time or another almost all of our Soldiers were involved with the mission and they performed with great distinction. The mission also allowed a lot of our Soldiers to see a portion of Iraq that many of them had never seen before. This country is so diverse; politically, economically, religiously, as well as topographically. Northern Iraq and its trees, green pastures, wheat fields, and rolling hills are not what one normally thinks of when picturing Iraq. It was a great opportunity for our Soldiers to experience a little different taste of this country. 1SG Paulin and I could not be prouder of the professionalism and dedication our Soldiers display daily. Unfortunately for the Hollywood Team we've hit a little lull in our operations and our Soldiers are striving to remain focused on their mission while always attempting to get better as individuals and as a team. I'm amazed at the lengths our Soldiers go to better themselves and I'm confident that each and every one of them has a plan to continue to improve each day. I consider it an honor to be a part of this historic mission here, not only for the proud service that each of your loved ones are doing, but to just be a part of this "family"! Please keep us all in your thoughts and prayers and I look forward to the next time I will have an opportunity to tell you all how great your loved ones are doing.

HOLLYWOOD

391ST ENGINEER COMPANY (SAPPER)

From Left to Right: SPC Hagler; Brigade Commander, COL Kaiser, addresses the Company; CPT Strong promotes CPL Loogman

Inside this issue:

FIRST SERGEANT Article By: 1SG Andrew Paulin EXECUTIVE OFFICER Article By: 1LT Jared Helle OPERATIONS Article By: SFC John Baker MAINTENANCE Article By: SPC Kyle Menck 1ST PLATOON Article By: SFC Cory Sessions 2 2 3 3 3 2ND PLATOON Article By: SFC Michael Haney 3RD PLATOON Article By: 1LT George Moreno A NOTE TO LEAVE YOU WITH Article By: SFC Robin Schwartz SOLDIER SHOUT OUTS AWARDS & PROMOTIONS 4 4 4 5-6 7-8

First Sergeants Note

By: 1SG Andrew Paulin
Hollywood Fans, the month of May has brought the heat to Iraq. Not figuratively, but, literally. As environmental temperatures rise, Hollywood Soldiers prepare for hot climate operations. I know no one is reading this to hear me talk about the weather. Last month I mentioned a little about the challenges we face, moving from a lead force to a supporting force. Hollywood is accustomed to being out front and in the spotlight. But, in order to support the overall reduction in U.S. presence, we will assume many roles to accommodate the draw down efforts. Our Soldiers and leaders will continue to adjust and find ways to accomplish what is laid out for them. May marked the passing of another Mothers Day celebration. So let me extend a special thanks to the mothers of our Soldiers, and the women who are mothers of Soldiers daughters and sons. Thank you for the gift of your sons and husbands. My thanks go out to all of the Families that have shared their loved ones with the 391 st Engineer Company. The U.S. Army is benefitting tremendously from your selfless commitment to our mission. As we enter the month of June and the beginning of the summer season, many Families will participate in a multitude of summer celebrations; Fathers Day, Independence Day, family reunions, and vacations. As you feel the absence of your Soldier, be encouraged that he is serving each day gallantly and diligently for the benefit of all. We will think of you, as you think of us, and look forward to our reunions. It is my hope that our Hollywood family will stay united and grow stronger from our experiences.

Executive Officers Note

By: 1LT Jared Helle
Good morning, afternoon, or evening, depending when you find yourself reading the newsletter. I hope all is well back in the United States. Things here are going well. Since arriving in Iraq, we have been adjusting to many things and the newest of which is adapting to the climate. However, the Soldiers are doing great and are still highly motivated. The Maintenance section has been working hard day after day to ensure all vehicles are properly serviced and maintained. This is not an easy task but an essential one as we cannot accomplish our many missions without operational equipment. Also, training does not stop because we are in theater. We have Soldier, Non-commissioned Officer, and Officer development training regularly. When the Platoons are not preparing for or going on missions they train to better their knowledge and skills of their weapons, equipment, vehicles, and tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs). The key to our success on the battle field is repetition. Thank you for your continued support. While the Soldiers are busy with their missions here in Iraq your support is instrumental in maintaining morale. I wish you the best in the upcoming month. Have a great month!
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Operations

By: SFC John Baker

The month of May saw things slow down for the Company but for Headquarters Platoon life went on pretty much as normal. SFC Hamlin continued to show why he is the best Supply NCO in the Army and we learned that we need to keep that fact to ourselves or we will have to share him with Battalion. SSG Matkin is fairly certain that if he never sees another Combat Action Badge (CAB) packet or award to process it will be too soon. SPC Hagler finally got to escape the TOC and go work at Battalion and help conduct a Combat Life Saver course. The whole platoon continued to take advantage of opportunities to get in shape by hitting the gym and the results were easy to see as Headquarters posted the highest average score on the physical fitness test in the Company. This dominance extended to the volleyball court as once again we reign as the Volleyball Champions of the World.

SSG Nicholas Matkin hard at work.

Maintenance

By: SPC Kyle Menck

drop to the floor and crawl back to the other room. I hide in a corner as they come running up the stairs like a herd of wild buffalo. I watch as the claymore explodes. Through the smoke and debris another four appear through the doorway. The simplest and most primitive fears are irrelevant. The only feeling that subsides is remorse, for not wielding the extended mag. Regardless of this feeling, Victory still appears on the screen. The video game Call of Duty is quite fun and helps pass time when we are not actively maintaining the Companys vehicles. Now, down to business, the maintenance platoon has been doing wonders. We recently took a Physical Training Test. Of the 12 Maintenance Soldiers, we had 9 pass the pt test, leaving us with a 75 percent pass rate which is above average. We have also completed all but one service by the mid month mark and cleaned out our parts room. We have been doing a fantastic job of keeping the vehicles up and mission capable and actually had a 100% mission capable report for a week. Also, a couple of Soldiers received promotions. PV2 Caleb Gordon and PV2 Elias Salazar were promoted to the rank of Private First Class, while PFC Kyle Menck was promoted to Specialist. We also had two Soldiers, SGT Horacio Sandoval and SPC Ethan Zoeller, help the Engineers on a 7-day long mission providing services as the wrecker crew. To all of you taking the time to read this article, thank you for your support. Take care and have a wonderful day.

My heart is thumping in my chest. The pounding is so loud it sounds like grenades are going off around me. I sprint from the fence to the brick wall for cover. I can hear the footsteps of my enemies coming. I wait for them to stop, and I come out guns blazing. Once the last casing hits the ground and the dust dies down, I look around. For a moment I feel great but know that I must keep moving. To my left there are a set of stairs leading up to a house. I decide to take cover inside the building. As I walk through the door there is dead silence. I sense an ominous presence. An attack is inevitable. I set a claymore by the door and continue on to the bedroom. There is a window overlooking a neighborhood. Outside there is madness. I try to post up and fire but Ive been spotted. I

First Platoon

By: SFC Cory Sessions

a much needed change of scenery and a great opportunity to interact with the local populace. On a lighter note, physical training continues to be the staple in the Hollywood Soldiers free time, while training and rehearsals keep us performing at the highest level. Again we are all CPL Michael Andrews receives the Combat doing well and, as always, we appreciate Action Badge from the Brigade Comyour thoughts and support. mander, COL Kaiser.
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To the Families and Friends of First Platoon Soldiers, we have yet watched another month come and go in fun filled Balad. Currently our schedule remains uncertain as the past few months; however, we were able to provide support as the Battalions bridging Company removed a bridge in Northern Iraq. The trip up north gave your Soldiers
VOLUME 1, ISSUE 2

Second Platoon
By: SFC Michael Haney
Greetings to everyone back home from the Soldiers of Second Platoon. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the Commander, XO, and First Sergeant for a noble effort in the latest 391st volleyball competition. Unfortunately, they proved no match to the superior athleticism and skill of Second Platoon and were rather soundly defeated (again). Things continue to go well for the Platoonnearly everyone has made significant strides in not only becoming better Soldiers during the course of the deployment, but also becoming Huger, much more physically fit and better looking. As forewarning, when we depart the plane in Boise after the deployment is complete; please dont confuse the young men of Second Platoon as an underwear modeling team (although our manly good looks and sculpted bodies might make it difficult to believe otherwise). In all seriousness, the Soldiers of the platoon have performed at a very high level throughout the deployment and will continue to do so. Although things have slowed as of late, we recently had the opportunity to conduct a route clearance and security mission into northern Iraq, enabling the platoon to see a lot of new and interesting territory. The platoon also continues to train hard for any type of mission we might be required to conduct in the future, as well as executing route clearance missions and spending lots of time in the gym. Congratulations go out to Specialist Carter and Corporal Loogman on their recent promotions, as well as Specialist Fusselman for achieving a score of 296 out of 300 on the platoons most recent Army Physical Fitness Test.

Following a display of their route clearance equipment, Soldiers from Second Platoon receive coins of excellence from the BDE Command Team . Left to Right: CPL Loogman with CSM Kendrick; 1LT Putnam with COL Kaiser; SGT Burger with COL Kaiser.

Third Platoon
By: SFC Kenneth Bouy
As another month flies by, all of the Third Platoon members here in Iraq want to sincerely thank all of the Third Platoon members back home, our families and friends, for your continued support and sacrifice. April into May brought a little more variety into the Third Platoon mission set, putting over 1,000 miles on our tires. We spent a couple weeks in May touring the countryside of northern Iraq as a security team in support of a combined force bridge retrieval operation, which was a great success. And while it may have been greener, cleaner, and quieter up north, it was nice to make it back safe to our Balad home and return to our regular mission set. The platoon continues to train and rehearse between missions to keep their skills sharp and always makes time during the day to get huger. The month of May also brought outstanding results on the physical fitness test, but of course we will continue to strive to get better. Once again, thank you for your love and support, we are the Mine Resistant Ambush Protecting vehicle, you are the wheels that keep us rolling.
Third Platoon standing tall in formation.
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A Note To Leave You With

By: SFC Robin Schwartz
Congratulations to our newest sen- Remember that this is a ior Non-Commissioned time to enjoy each other Officer, Sergeant First Class (SFC) John and recharge your Baker! Since I was on leave, here are some batteries, so HAVE FUN! quick thoughts, so you and your Soldier can enjoy your time together. so budget your time First, your Soldier has to wisely. Try not to schedcatch some long flights, ule too much into the from here to there, with leave, but have fun. some possible delays Limit the Honey-do list to along the way. The good a reasonable level. Be news is that this does not careful of spending too affect their leave time, much money, there are but may change their still the bills after leave. actual leave dates. The Remember that this is a bad news is that they time to enjoy each other may be tired for a couple and recharge your batterof days, due to: jet lag, ies, so HAVE FUN! In long flights, time differ- case we dont tell you ence, no sleep, etc. Time enough, we appreciate all seemed to fly by quickly, that you do. especially the last week,
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Soldier Shout Outs

Ali Engel, I miss you so much honey and daddy will be home soon. Love you, Dad - Joe Engel

Hey Slater Family, I love you all. Sammy I love and miss you. I will be home soon. Love, Chris Slater

Chuck Carr, hey dad just wanted to say I love you and miss you very much. Please tell everyone I love them and miss them all very much. Ill be home soon. Love, Jeff Carr

Just want to let everyone back home know that I am doing alright. Love you guys and I will be home before you know it! I miss you Shannon, Dustie, Mom and Dad. Michael Loogman

VOLUME 1, ISSUE 2

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Soldier Shout Outs

(continued from previous page)

Hey Honey, I've missed you and know that these months have been tough. Just remember that everyday is another day closer to me being home. I love you and hope you are safe and feeling well! Your loving husband. - Matthew Dillon

Sup family? Love you and miss you of course. I love you up to the sky, down to the ground and around the whole wide world Bella. Peace out. - Jacob Lauderdale

To my wife and kids, I love you and Ill see you soon. Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad. - Scott Watanabe

Hi Mom and Dad. Thanks for the support and Happy upcoming Birthday Mom. - SPC Hank Ray

VOLUME 1, ISSUE 2

Page 6

Awards

CPL Michael Andrews

The Combat Action Badge (CAB) was approved on 2 May 2005. Congratulations to the following Soldiers for receiving the Combat Action Badge: CPL Michael Andrews SPC Zachary Weyn SPC Cody Christensen PFC Joseph Engel SPC Hank Ray PFC Gregory Watts SPC Lloyd Ellis PFC Frederick Bailey 1LT Ryan Putnam

PFC Frederick Bailey

SPC Hank Ray

1LT Ryan Putnam

SPC Zachary Weyn

PFC Gregory Watts

SPC Cody Christensen

SPC Lloyd Ellis

PFC Joseph Engel

Congratulations to the following Soldiers for receiving the Army Physical Fitness Badge: SPC Cody Christensen SPC Jesse Fusselman SPC Hank Ray SGT Horacio Sandoval SFC Michael Haney 1LT Jared Helle

The Army Physical Fitness Badge was established on 25 June 1986 by the Secretary of the Army. The badge is awarded to Soldiers who obtain a minimum total score of 270, with a minimum score of 90 points on each event. The events include 2 minutes of push-ups, 2 minutes of sit-ups, and a 2-mile run. Soldiers must also meet the height and weight control requirements.

Push ups Left to Right: SPC Fusselman, SFC Haney, 1LT Helle, SPC Ray
VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1 Page 7

Awards

(continued from previous page)

Congratulations to SPC Hank Ray for receiving a coin of excellence from Maj. Gen. Cardon, Deputy Commanding General United States Forces-Iraq South.

Promotions
Congratulations to the following Soldiers on their Promotions: CPL Michael Loogman SPC Christopher Carter PFC Caleb Gordan SPC Kyle Menck SPC Joshua Knerr PFC Elias Salazar

PFC Elias Salazar

SFC John Baker Congratulations to the following NonCommissioned Officer on his Promotion: SFC John Baker SPC Christopher Carter

PFC Caleb Gordan

Follow Us ...
On the Battalion Facebook page by searching for Task Force Sapper Eagle: www.facebook.com/pages/Task-Force-Sapper-Eagle/142308099170737?ref=ts On Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/326engineer_BN On Scribd (newsletters and articles): http://www.scribd.com/326_EN_BN Questions? Comments? Concerns? Please contact 1LT Jared Helle at jared.helle@us.army.mil

Thanks for the support!!!