Two Soldiers with the 411th Engineer Brigade hang a banner in preparation for the brigade's farewell ceremony at Stewart Air National Guard Base April 19, 2012. The Army Reserve Soldiers known as Task Force Empire will spend approximately a year in A...
Zoe, a military working dog, was officially inducted into the ranks of the 411th Engineer Brigade, 412th Theater Engineer Command, during the unit's departure ceremony at Stewart Air National Guard Base April 19, 2012. Zoe will work as part of the ch...
Family members of Soldiers of 411th Engineer Brigade share an emotional goodbye during a deployment departure ceremony at Stewart Air National Guard Base April 19, 2012. The Army Reserve Soldiers known as Task Force Empire will spend approximately a...
Soldiers of 411th Engineer Brigade in their last formation before heading off to Fort Bliss for final deployment preparations April 19, 2012. The Army Reserve Soldiers known as Task Force Empire will spend approximately a year in Afghanistan supporti...
Yellow ribbons, marked with the names of the Soldiers deploying with the 411th Engineer Brigade, 412th Theater Engineer Command, were ceremoniously attached to a wooden castle as part of the brigade's farewell ceremony at Stewart Air National Guard B...
Brig. Gen. Doug Satterfield, deputy commander 412th Theater Engineer Command, addresses Soldiers, families and community members during the 411th Engineer Brigade Headquarters' departure ceremony at Stewart Air National Guard Base, Newburg, N.Y. Apri...
(L-R) 1st Sgt. Charles Reed, senior enlisted leader of Headquarters, Headquarters Company 411th Engineer Brigade, Capt. Brian Mykulak, commander Headquarters, Headquarters Company 411th Engineer Brigade, Command Sgt. Maj. Andrew Krom, senior enlisted...
Brig. Gen. David L. Weeks, commander, 411th Engineer Brigade addresses Soldiers, families and community members during the unit's departure ceremony at Stewart Air National Guard Base, Newburg, N.Y. April 19, 2012. The group of Army Reserve Soldiers ...
Capt. Brian Mykulak, commander Headquarters, Headquarters Company 411th Engineer Brigade, addresses Soldiers, families and community members during the unit's departure ceremony at Stewart Air National Guard Base, Newburg, N.Y. April 19, 2012. The Ar...
1st Sgt. Charles Reed, senior enlisted leader of Headquarters, Headquarters Company 411th Engineer Brigade, and the company commander Capt. Brian Mykulak, conduct a role call during the unit's departure ceremony at Stewart Air National Guard Base, Ne...
Fire fighters of the Cronomer Valley Fire District, Newburg, N.Y. pay tribute to the Army Reserve Soldiers of the 411th Engineer Brigade headquarters during the unit's departure ceremony at Stewart Air National Guard Base, Newburg, N.Y. April 19, 201...
Command Sgt. Maj. Andrew Krom, senior enlisted leader 411th Engineer Brigade (L) and Brig. Gen. David L. Weeks, commander 411th Engineer Brigade, case the unit's colors during a departure ceremony at Stewart Air National Guard Base, Newburg, N.Y. Apr...
NEWBURG, N.Y. -- Approximately 125 Soldiers from the 411th Engineer Brigade, 412th Theater Engineer Command, were honored at a deployment farewell ceremony held at Stewart Air National Guard Base April 19, 2012.
Brig. Gen. Douglas R. Satterfield, deputy commander of 412th Theater Engineer Command, and Brig. Gen. David L. Weeks, commander of 411th Engineer Brigade, addressed the large crowd that turned out to wish their local heroes a safe and successful mission in Afghanistan.
"We face a daunting task mission in Afghanistan. The eyes of the entire United States Army will be upon the men and women of the 411th Engineer Brigade. In a matter of months, they will assume full responsibility for combat engineering and tactical construction across the entire country of Afghanistan," said Weeks.
Task Force Empire will manage all military construction operations in the country in support of the ISAF Joint Command's efforts to improve security, development and governance for the people and government of Afghanistan.
"It's a big deal. We're going to be spread all over the country managing all the base camp construction and taking care of the war fighters that are over there," added deputy commander Col. John Elam.
Following an emotional farewell with families and friends, the Soldiers left for Fort Bliss, Texas, where they will undergo final preparations before leaving for Afghanistan in the next few weeks.
The ceremony attracted hundreds of family members, military officials, community leaders, the Warriors Watch Riders, the USO Liberty Bells, the United States Military Academy Band, and veterans support groups.
Related Links:
YNN-TV Hudson Valley, NY: Deployment ceremony held at Stewart
New York Senate Resolution honoring the 411th Engineer Brigade
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