76th Engineer Company cases colors for final time at Fort Knox

By 1st Lt. Ella Peterson, 76th Engineer CompanyNovember 2, 2017

Inactivation
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

Members of 76th Engineer Company (Vertical) cased their colors for the final time at Fort Knox's Waybur Theater Oct. 12 as the unit inactivated.

The company has been a key player in 19th Engineer Battalion and in the Fort Knox community since it activated in October 2005.

During that time, the company deployed to Afghanistan from December 2006 until March 2008, where Soldiers provided general engineering support through quality of life and force protection facilities for coalition forces.

Members of the company deployed to Afghanistan from April 2009 until April 2010, providing construction at forward operating bases and combat outposts in support of the U.S. troop surge. Most recently, the company deployed to Camp Arifjan, Kuwait from November 2013 to August 2014.

The inactivation ceremony marked a bittersweet moment in the company's history, which stretches back to 1933 when it was first constituted.

The 19th Engineer Battalion commander, Lt. Col. Estee Pinchasin, ended this chapter of 76th's history by remarking that this was not a farewell or goodbye but rather a "see you later on down the road."

As has other Army units, 76th could be reactivated when Army needs change.

During the past 12 years, 76th left its mark on Fort Knox with a variety of construction projects to include building a helicopter pad for the U.S. Army Reserve Aviation Command, constructing a pavilion for the 19th Engineer Battalion, barracks and improvements to Burcham Range.

Many Soldiers from the unit will remain in the battalion, transferring to 15th Engineer Construction Co. or 887th Engineer Support Co. at Fort Campbell, Kentucky.