Volume 1, Issue 1

TTTHEHEHE PPPACEMAKERACEMAKERACEMAKER PPPRESSRESSRESS Following the 864th Engineer Battalion During Its Time In Afghanistan

TASK F ORCE P ACEMAKER

Special points of in-

terest:

Pacemakers Uncase Their

Colors in Afghanistan

(pg 1)

Welcoming Baby

Pacemakers! (pg 4)

Walk to Afghanistan a

Success! (pg 5)

Commander’s Corner 2

SGM’s Foxhole 3

HHC Regulators Monthly

Update

4

FSC Providers Monthly

Update

5

585th Roughneck

Monthly Update

6

617th Trailblazers

Monthly Update

7

84th Trojans Monthly

Update

8

Inside this issue:

On February 16, the 864th Engineer Battalion

“Task Force Pacemaker” conducted its Uncasing of

the Colors and Assumption of Responsibility Cere-

mony at Forward Operating Base Sharana, Paktika

Province, Afghanistan. In attendance was the review-

ing officer, Col. Douglas M. McBride, 593rd Sustain-

ment Brigade CENTCOM Materiel Recovery Element

(CMRE) commander, and Command Sgt. Maj. Eric

Taylor, 593rd Sustainment Brigade CMRE command

sergeant major.

The conclusion of the ceremony symbolized the as-

sumption of their responsibility and authority as Task

Force Pacemaker -CMRE.

During the ceremony, McBride stated the following

in reference to Task Force Pacemaker being chosen as

one of the engineer units to fall under CMRE opera-

tions: "The 864th is the second CMRE engineer bat-

talion to arrive in Afghanistan. We requested this

engineer capability in order to meet the base closure

and base transfer requirements that must be met in

order to close

The conclusion of the ceremony symbolized the as-

sumption of their responsibility and (cont’d pg 2)

Pacemakers Uncase Their Colors In

Afghanistan

28 February 2013

Commander’s Corner: A Letter From LTC Henderson, Commander, Task Force Pacemaker

It's a great day to be a Pacemaker! On behalf of all the Pacemaker Soldiers,

Family, and Alumni, I want to congratulate COL McBride and the 593rd Sustain-

ment Brigade (CMRE) on a very successful tour and for all their steadfast support

to the Pacemakers as we deployed to Afghanistan. God Speed to you all as you re-

deploy and reunite with your Families. We also want to welcome COL Heussner

and his 43rd Sustainment Brigade from Fort Carson, CO. We look forward to serv-

ing with you.

On February 16, the 864th Engineer Battalion, “Task Force Pacemaker”, con-

ducted its Uncasing of the Colors and Assumption of Responsibility (con’t. pg 3)

Lt. Col. John Henderson and

Command Sgt. Maj. Christo-

pher Tipton uncase the 864th

Engineer Battalion “Task

Force Pacemakers” at the

Uncasing of the Colors Cere-

mony in Paktika Province,

Afghanistan on February

16th, symbolizing the as-

sumption of their responsibil-

ity and authority as Task

Force Pacemaker. (593rd

Public Affairs Office

(Uncasing cont’d) authority as Task Force Pace-

maker -CMRE.

During the ceremony, McBride stated the following in

reference to Task Force Pacemaker being chosen as one

of the engineer units to fall under CMRE operations:

"The 864th is the second CMRE engineer battalion to

arrive in Afghanistan. We requested this engineer ca-

pability in order to meet the base closure and base

transfer requirements that must be met in order to

close out operations in the Combined Joint Area of Op-

erations-Afghanistan by the presidential mandate. This

request for additional unit capability came at a time

where the Commander in Chief wanted to decrease

unit strength in theater. This took

special permission up through the

Chief and Staff and Secretary of De-

fense to gain approval for this critical

CMRE asset."

Task Force Pacemaker’s main focus,

while under CMRE command, is to pro-

vide engineering support to base clo-

sures and base transfers to the Afghan

national government. The decision to

deconstruct or transfer the forward op-

erating bases and combat out posts is a partnership

that starts with a discussion between commanders and

leaders at the provincial and district level. It is final-

ized by the ministers of the government of Afghanistan

through the Base Closure Commission. As of December

1, 2012, 370 bases have been transferred and 230 have

been closed, according to Col. McBride.

“This is certainly a historic phase of Operation En-

during Freedom, and the Soldiers and families of Task

Force Pacemaker are honored to be a part of the CMRE

and this daunting and complex mission,” stated Lt. Col.

Col. Douglas McBride, addresses the 864th Engineer

Battalion during the Uncasing of the Colors Ceremony

on February 16th. (593rd Public Affairs photo/SSG

Daniel Balda)

Deploying, however, is nothing new for the combat-

proven 864th Engineer Battalion. This is the fifth de-

ployment for Task Force Pacemaker in the past 10

years, its fourth deployment to Afghanistan, and its

third to Paktika Province. During this deployment,

Soldiers of Task Force Pacemaker will serve jointly

with Airmen from the 11th Civil Engineer Squadron

based out of Andrews Air Force Base, Washington,

and the 5th Civil Engineer Squadron based out of

Minot Air Force Base, N.D., in addition to “Seabees”

from the Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 28 out

of Barksdale, La.

It’s been 22 months since the Pacemakers returned

from their last deployment to Afghani-

stan in support of Operation Enduring

Freedom where they upgraded and

maintained combat out posts and

placed miles of concrete barriers, con-

structed tactical operation centers, bed

spaces, and miles of Hesco Barriers,

“What's ironic about this mission is

that the 864th Engineer Battalion

built most of the bases on previous de-

ployments that they are now charged

to take down. It has truly gone full circle for this com-

bat tested battalion. Under the outstanding leadership

of Lt. Col. Henderson and Command Sgt. Maj. Tipton,

they are more than up to the task. They are trained,

validated, and ready to get after this important mis-

sion at a critical time in our nation's history," McBride

said during the ceremony.

When asked how he felt about the eventual retro-

grade and removal of buildings and structures his unit

constructed during his last deployment with the 864th

Engineer Battalion, 1st Sgt. Raymond Washington,

585th Engineer Company first sergeant, responded

with the following, “over a year ago, I remember con-

structing several checkpoints, bed down areas, and

strongholds for combat units in Afghanistan during

Operation Enduring Freedom 10-11. I feel very good

about some of the very structures that the 864th Engi-

neer Battalion constructed last deployment being ret-

rograded and removed. I am honored to be part of the

CMRE element that will be doing this mission. I am

proud to be one of the first units to begin ‘to turn out

the lights in Afghanistan’.”

At the conclusion of his remarks during the

ceremony, Henderson stated, “Task Force Pacemaker

is exactly where we need to be right now to support

our Army and Nation, setting the pace for the respon-

sible retrograde of United States Forces.”

“This took special

permission up through

the Chief and Staff and

Secretary of Defense to

gain approval for this

critical CMRE asset.”

PAGE 2 THE PACEMAKER PRESS VOLUME 1, I SSUE 1

A reenlistment during this period of time with our

nation at war, is even more distinctive and shows

that our Soldiers knowingly and willing accept the

risks and hardships associated with our service. I

want to thank all of the supportive Family members

of these Soldiers whom have dedicated their lives to

this great service.

Task Force Pacemaker continues to operate at a

high standard and I am humbled to be associated

with our team. I consider it a privilege to serve be-

side our Soldiers and Airmen each and every day. I

cannot tell you how our standards and discipline sets

us apart from any other organization in the Army.

You should be proud of your men and women here, as

we continue to make history “Setting the Pace!” as we

did in Vietnam and are doing here in Afghanistan.

Finally, I cannot overstate how important your sup-

port will be to us all. I hope the upcoming Spring

Season will be an enjoyable one for all of you and

your children as you can a relax with Spring Break

and enjoy the beautiful Washington weather ;-).

― )يضبط االيقاع; يستخدم مثال, يضبط الوتيرة Set the Pace!)

CSM Christopher D. Tipton (Pacemaker 7)

(Commander’s Corner cont’d) Ceremony at Forward Operating Base Sharana, Paktika Province, Afghanistan.

Task Force Pacemaker’s main focus is to provide engineering support to the CENTCOM Materiel Recovery Ele-

ment (CMRE) for base closures and base transfers to the Afghan national government. This is a historic phase of

Operation Enduring Freedom, and the Soldiers and families of Task Force Pacemaker are honored to be a part of

the CMRE and this daunting and complex mission.

This is the fifth deployment for Task Force Pacemaker in the past 10 years, the fourth deployment to Afghani-

stan, and the third to Paktika Province. The warrior ethos is ingrained into the DNA of this unit. We have dili-

gently worked to train as we fight, and now the time has come (again) to fight as we have been trained. On this

tour, we are proud to serve jointly with our Air Force teammates from the 11th Civil Engineer Squadron based

out of Andrews Air Force Base and the 5th Civil Engineer Squadron based out of Minot Air Force Base. Addition-

ally, we are looking forward to serving with the “Seabees” from the Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 28 out of

Barksdale, LA who are scheduled to join Task Force Pacemaker this summer.

I could not be more proud of our Soldiers and Family members for the perseverance that they have shown over

the past 5 months to get ready for this deployment. Thanks to all of you for your hard work, patience, and contin-

ued support to our Soldiers. Getting here on short notice was a great accomplishment, but it only marks the be-

ginning of our mission here, which is the beginning of the end of the longest war in our Nation’s history. Task

Force Pacemaker is exactly where we need to be right now to support our Army and Nation, "setting the pace" for

the responsible retrograde of US forces. I am absolutely confident that we will "RISE To The Challenge"… we will

accomplish our assigned missions, and we will serve with distinction just as our fellow Pacemaker Veterans and

Alumni have done for the past 70 years. SET THE PACE!!

) نبضاتالقلب تحيات منظم (Greetings Pacemakers), I want to

first extend my thanks and gratitude to the Family mem-

bers and friends of Task Force Pacemaker for your sup-

port to our Soldiers and Airmen as we embark on this mis-

sion to conduct retrograde operations as part of the CENT-

COM Material Recovery Element (CMRE) here in Af-

ghanistan.

Overall, the preparations for missions and projects in

the Area of Operation are going extremely well. It has

been a overwhelming effort of all the Soldiers and Air-

men working diligently on establishing our combat

power. The Commander and I are really proud of the

accomplishments of our Soldiers and Airmen as they

keep up a positive sense of teamwork and camaraderie.

We are also very proud of

each and every one of our

Soldiers who were selected

for promotion and re-

enlisted over the past few

months– we had some great

Soldiers raise their right

hand and recite the oath.

Any reenlistment and/or

promotion are special and

show a commitment to our

Army and to the nation.

Command Sergeant Major’s Foxhole A Letter From CSM Tipton

PAGE 3 THE PACEMAKER PRESS VOLUME 1, I SSUE 1

Upper Left: CPT Joles and 1SG Wong, HHC Company

Command team, uncase the colors of their company

during the uncasing ceremony on 16 February.

Left: SPC Hyden, medic out of HHC, speaks with COL

McBride during his visit and tour of the Task Force

Pacemaker area of operations.

Greetings from the Regulators at FOB Sharana. Since

hitting the ground, HHC has been busy setting up the

Battalion’s tactical operations center and coordinating

upcoming missions. We have occupied a temporary area,

and are transitioning into more permanent living and

working quarters as other units depart country. Our Sol-

diers are doing well and getting acclimatized to the area

and preparing for our future missions. The weather in

Sharana has been cold and damp and reminds many of us

of Washington. As do all of the care packages Soldiers

have been receiving from home. Thank you to the Regu-

lator families and friends for your continued love and sup-

port for our Soldiers.

New

and

Expecting

Mothers!

The Pacemaker family

wishes to offer support

through the Pacemaker

Pregnancy Support Group!

Check it out on Facebook!

Search Pacemaker Preg-

nancy Support Group.

Headquarters and Headquarters Company

Regulators!

And the Pacemaker Family Expands!

PAGE 4 THE PACEMAKER PRESS VOLUME 1, I SSUE 1

The first month of deploy-

ment is a crucial time for a unit.

It is a time that essentially out-

lines the basis for future success.

Since the Providers have hit the

ground in Afghanistan we have

expeditiously worked in establish-

ing our area of opera-

tions so that we have a

solid foundation for fu-

ture operations. Over

the past month, we have

made dividends in logis-

tical operations to

include the fabrica-

tion of half a dozen

dump assets utilizing

flatracks, and inven-

tories of over 25 mil-

lion dollars in prop-

erty and acquiring

remote, field feeding

equipment. Our accomplish-

ments thus far have truly ex-

emplified our innovative and

agile capabilities, which have

allowed us to quickly react and

adapt to any situation. With

each and every new mission, FSC

Providers continue to lead the way

and set the pace!

PROVIDERS!!

away from Joint Base Lewis

McChord. From all the Pace-

makers deployed, thank you for

all of your support!

While Pacemaker Soldiers are

deployed overseas in Afghani-

stan, loved ones are showing

their support for their

loved ones by “walking

to Afghanistan”. Es-

sentially, supporters

of the Pacemakers get

together and walk for

either a certain time

or distance. After

each event, the miles

are logged and tallied.

Companies have a

friendly competition to

see who can log the

most miles. Supporters are even

sending in miles from places

The statistics are in!

Other units: 12 miles

FSC: 205.8 miles

617: 170.5 miles

585: 78.5 miles

HHC: 168 miles

Rear D: 2 miles

Grand total: 636.28 miles!!

Forward Support Company

Providers!!!

Pacemaker Families and Friends Walk to Support

Soldiers Deployed

PAGE 5 THE PACEMAKER PRESS VOLUME 1, I SSUE 1

SFC Wheeler shows off his skills in the

in handling the 10K Forklift.

SGT Bell and 1LT Manzano stand in front of

the HEMTT PLS.

Pacemakers “Walk to Afghanistan”!

Roughneck Family and Friends,

True to the Roughneck standard,

it has been another busy quarter

for us in our transition from JBLM

to FOB Sharana. Roughneck Sol-

diers hit the ground running after

returning from a well deserved

block leave. The first week back,

Roughnecks were busy at the

range to ensure all Soldiers quali-

fied on their individual weapon

systems for the upcoming deploy-

ment. In addition, Soldiers com-

pleted all mandated training and

worked hard to guarantee all nec-

essary supplies and equipment

were packed for the deployment.

In mid January, the advance party

consisting of CPT Lin, SFC Jones,

SSG Greene, SGT Molstad, and

PV2 Douglas, departed JBLM for

FOB Sharana and set the ball in

motion for the Roughnecks. These

five individuals accomplished a

tremendous

amount of

work to pre-

pare for the

arrival of the

rest of the

company by

securing the

Roughneck

living area on

FOB Sharana,

the company

operations

facility, sign-

ing for vehi-

cles and

equipment,

and complet-

ing many

other mission essential tasks.

Back on the home front, Rough-

neck Soldiers continued to work

hard on final pre-deployment

tasks. Soldiers and their families

were able to enjoy a final four day

weekend together for Martin Lu-

ther King’s Day and then dark and

early in late January, Roughnecks

said their

“see you

laters” to

our fami-

lies and

departed

JBLM.

The

Rough-

necks had

a long

journey

and en-

countered

many de-

lays from

JBLM to

FOB Sha-

rana. In Bagram, Roughnecks

received theater training. Despite

less than ideal weather conditions,

Roughnecks stayed motivated and

disciplined and, as always, gave

their 100% effort to get

the most out of the

training. After almost

two weeks in transit,

all of the Roughnecks

finally made it to FOB

Sharana, our home for

the next eight months.

Since arriving at FOB

Sharana, Roughnecks

have remained busy

preparing vehicles and

equipment for the up-

coming missions. In

mid February there

was an Assumption of

Authority ceremony

during which Colonel

Douglas M. McBride

Jr, 593rd Sustainment Brigade,

CENTCOM Material Recovery

Element (CMRE) Commander,

officially welcomed the 864th Engi-

neer Battalion into theater. The

864th Engineer Battalion is the

second CMRE Engineer Battalion

to arrive in theater to begin the

deconstruc-

tion proc-

ess to close-

out Af-

ghanistan.

Since the

864th Engi-

neer Bat-

talion is

not replac-

ing another

unit, there

are many

prepara-

tory steps

which have

to be taken

before we

can break

ground and begin missions. 585th

Soldiers have been fortifying the

company area to support the mis-

sions we are going to undertake,

performing maintenance on vehi-

cles to get them up to combat

speed, and analyzing our projects

and assets. Of note, the Rough-

necks will be gaining 2nd Platoon

from 617th Horizontal Engineer

Company led by 1LT Jacobs and

SFC Armijo in order to accomplish

the full scope of projects on FOB

Sharana.

Especially while deployed, the

leaders of the Roughneck family

are exceptionally grateful for the

support of the friends and families

of our Soldiers. We know behind

every Soldier is a support system

who makes it possible for our Sol-

diers to continue to do great

things. We could not have

achieved anything without your

love and support and we thank

you for that.

Sincerely,

CPT Brandon J. Mackey

Roughneck 6

585th Engineer Company

Roughnecks!!

PAGE 6 THE PACEMAKER PRESS VOLUME 1, I SSUE 1

SPC O’Quinn fixes a gator.

SPC Poli, SPC Camunas, and SGT West practic-

ing using a tourniquet.

Greetings from Sharana! I am

happy to report that the Trail-

blazer Family is settled in For-

ward Operating Base Sharana and

ready to start our first missions.

Over the past couple of weeks the

Company has been going through

many bases and training events.

We spent approximately a week in

Manas, Kyrgyzstan where we did

some training and acclimated to

the new time zone and weather.

From there we spent some time in

Bagram, Afghanistan where we

received additional training and

then finally made it to our home,

FOB Sharana, where we were met

by our Advance Party (LT Kut-

nink, SSG Braithwaite, SGT Lugo,

SGT Berger, SGT Morales, SGT

Ballard, SGT Perez, SGT Hernan-

dez, SPC Decirce, and SPC Dun-

can). The Advance Party did an

excellent job setting up the condi-

tions for our Company and we

could not be happier with their

performance.

Most recently, we have been con-

ducting rehearsals and Pre Com-

bat Inspections and Pre Combat Checks (PCI/PCCs) for our upcoming mis-

sions. Our Soldiers are also getting familiar on new equipment to include the

Mine Resistant Vehicle (MRAP) which is the safest and best vehicle you can

have in Afghanistan. Each platoon has received an extremely important mis-

sion which they will all be executing in the next couple of weeks. We also

recognized some Soldiers for their hard work with Company Coins. SGT

Hernandez, SGT Miligy, SPC Duncan, SPC Simmons, and SPC Zornes re-

ceived Trailblazer Coins from the Company for their outstanding perform-

ance and overall team work.

Lastly, I would just like to take a moment to say thank you to all the Trail-

blazer Families. Your enduring and selfless support is what keeps your Sol-

diers motivated and ready to perform any mission. The Company would not

be able to function without your help and support. Please feel free to contact

me if you every have any questions or concerns. Trailblazers Clear The

Way.

CPT Karoline M. Hood

Trailblazer 6

617th Engineer Company

Trailblazers!!

PAGE 7 THE PACEMAKER PRESS VOLUME 1, I SSUE 1

Have a Question Regarding Your Soldier’s Company’s FRG?

Family Readiness Support Assistant (FRSA)

Karyn Hubbell KARYN.HUBBELL@us.army.mil or 253-966-7019

864th ENGINEER BATTALION FRG LEADERSHIP

Senior Advisor: Amy Henderson AMYJOHENDERSON@gmail.com

HHC: Rowan Jones HHC864FRG@hotmail.com

FSC: Sandra Robinson FRGFSC864@gmail.com

557: Christy Mahn FRGLEADER557@aol.com

585: Stacey Mackey FRGLEADER585@aol.com

617: Holly Phelps FRGLEADER617@yahoo.com

617th Soldiers zero their rifles.

On 16 February, 617th

Uncased their Colors,

officially recognizing

the change from transi-

tion oriented to mission

oriented.

The Soldiers, Sergeants, and Officers of the 84th Engineer Detachment have all finally arrived safely in Re-

gional Command (RC) East, Afghanistan. Without skipping a beat, the team immediately went to work. CW2 Erick

Hume (Detachment Commander), SFC Ramon Villa (Detachment NCOIC), SGT Luis Sanchez, SPC John Lampman,

PFC Wesley Rivera and PFC Sue Lao flew out to numerous Forward Operating Bases (FOBs) to conduct thorough re-

connaissance to provide the steadily arriving “Pacemaker” companies with clear and accurate information to help ac-

complish the overall mission of closing the FOB’s.

Remaining on FOB Sharana SGT Rafael Picon and SPC Joseph Myrum started the important mission of sur-

veying the FOB by block while simultaneously providing the 864th Battalion with postage pickup and delivery. Approxi-

mately one month after the first group arrived SSG John Ingoglia, SSG Michael Sogge, SGT Ryan Swanson, SGT Ta-

batha Kearney, SPC Geary Boling, PFC Mason Babb and

PFC Daniel Burnside arrived in theater. SSG Ingoglia,

PFC Babb and PFC Burnside swiftly departed to many

other FOBs to conduct their recon of the area.

Only a week after returning from conducting

recons, a recon team left to conduct the first GPS Survey

and base recon. With the rest of the detachment on Sha-

rana, the priorities shifted towards completing all the re-

con’s by block. With the help of the newly arrived Airmen

the Detachment was able to complete mission ahead of

schedule.

Just as the recon crew returned, the “Trojans”

were finally moved in to their permanent quarters. Wast-

ing no time necessary improvements to the living area

have begun to improve the Soldiers’ quality of life. Also

acquiring new offices and many computers the team is up

and running and fully functional, ready to support the

Task Force Pacemaker mission.

As the detachment master driver, SGT Picon has been training Soldiers on the proper way to operate and

maintain both tactical and non tactical vehicles. On the sixteenth of February the 864th Engineer Battalion conducted

the “Uncasing of the Colors” ceremony. This is the second time the Detachment has unfurled its colors in combat and

the fifth time the battalion has done so in the War on

Terror. The commander of the CENTCOM Material

Recovery Element (CMRE) was present and honored

two members of the detachment, SPC Lampman and

PFC Lao, with the CMRE coin.

New missions coming to the Detachment

daily, SSG Sogge, SGT Kearney, and SPC Boling will

soon be heading to conduct more initial FOB recons.

The remainder of the detachment will continue their

efforts at Sharana while welcoming SGT Brandon

Mangiapane and PFC Damien Francis. All in all the

Trojans are on their way to a busy and fulfilling de-

ployment while serving a very important role in an

unprecedented Presidential level mission.

Set the Pace Trojans!

PAGE 8 THE PACEMAKER PRESS VOLUME 1, I SSUE 1

Trojans survey all types of buildings and structures

during recons.

The Trojans play a vital role for deconstruction operations.

Based upon their observations, companies can properly pre-

pare for later operations.

Shots from Around the Battalion Area

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/#!/p

ages/864th-Engineer-

Battalion-

Pacemakers/375569106780

The Pacemaker Press is an authorized

newsletter for members of the 864th

Engineer Battalion “Task Force Pace-

maker.” Contents are not necessarily

endorsed by the Dept. of the Army,

Dept. of Defense, Skynet, or the U.S.

Government. Content is reviewed,

edited, and approved by the Battalion

Public Affairs Officer (PAO). For

questions, comments, or concerns,

please contact the Battalion Public

Affairs Officer.

Public Affairs Officer: 1LT Elizabeth Lewis

Elizabeth.m.lewis3@us.army.mil

Building on the Streets of Sharana

Stairs that many Soldiers walk each day

View of the Sharana Scenery

Pulling Guard during the

Uncasing Ceremony

A Platoon Leader stands in front of her platoon, ready to lead.

Vehicles still need to be fueled!