LOGAR PROVINCE, Afghanistan - U.S. combat engineers with Company A, 4-3 Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, have cleared many miles of terrain from improvised explosive devices and unexploded ordnance placed by the enemies of Afghanistan, since arriving in Wardak and Logar provinces earlier this year.
In their first few weeks they were tested many times by the enemy as the traditional fighting season began.
U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Aaron Billington, from Syracuse, N.Y., and a squad leader with 1st Platoon, Co. A, said the unit conducted more than one hundred missions, over half of which involved encountering an IED or UXO.
As combat engineers, Billington and his comrades routinely conduct dismounted and mounted route clearance patrols. "If there is an area where we think there's possibly an IED, we will scan the area for them," he said.
Once they detect a threat, the dangerous roadside IEDs and pressure plate IEDs that target military and civilians alike, they blow-in-place, a term used to describe the elimination of the threat by a controlled explosion, one of a combat engineers' favorite jobs.
U.S. Army Spc. Brandon Carver, a McDonough, Ga., native and a combat engineer with 1st Platoon, said he enjoys dismounted patrols and blowing-in-place. "I like being on the ground, it's better than sitting in the truck all day."
"If we can help defeat IEDs, we can help civilians from being hit by IEDs," added Carver, who's on his first combat tour.
The RCPs not only help keep the citizens safe, but also help improve the safe movement of coalition and Afghan forces who conduct operations to disrupt enemy activity and foster relationships with local citizens.
On a recent mission to support the 6th Squadron, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 4th IBCT, the combat engineers lead the way to ensure safe passage.
"The plan was just to clear for the 'cav' guys so they could do their population engagement," Billington said, "sounded a lot easier than it ended up being."
The patrol struck an IED, leaving one of their vehicles inoperable, followed by enemy fire. The 6-8 Cav. sent a quick reaction force to respond and it was struck by another IED. A recovery operation was initiated, and as a wrecker arrived on the scene, another IED went off.
After a long fire fight, 10 IED explosions, and two enemy fighters killed during a 40 hour period, all the Soldiers with 4th IBCT returned safely to base, a true testament to Task Force Vanguard's concept of a team of teams.
U.S. Army Pvt. Juan Toralba, from Denver, Co., and an infantryman with Company B, 3rd Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 4th IBCT, along with a small group of infantrymen routinely provide extra security as a response to comparable situations.
U.S. Army Spc. Jesse Powell, from Guyton, Ga., and a combat engineer with 1st Platoon, said, "I'm always thinking about getting back." But, he makes sure his explosive charges, radios, and weapon systems are ready for a long mission. "We always plan for three to four days, just in case," he added.
To ensure the success of the mission, U.S. Army Sgt. Charles Slabinski, a Detroit, Mich., native and combat engineer with 1st Platoon, said he makes sure his team is fully mission capable and conducts the proper inspections on the Soldiers, vehicles and equipment.
Their equipment, the Husky Vehicle Mounted Mine Detector being one type of vehicle, is very important for combat engineers and something they rely on to find the well hidden dangers.
"The Husky ...helps detect mines and any kind of ground placed IED," Slabinski said.
As U.S Forces stay committed to a better future of Afghanistan, combat engineers with Task Force Vanguard continue to clear the roads, despite the dangerous obstacles they face.
"They're just a great group of guys," said U.S. Army 2nd Lt. Bradley Buss, a Media, Ill., native and a platoon leader with Company A. "They've been through a lot and they've really just come together as a team and overcame everything that has been thrown at them."
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