MICHAEL SWAN: JUST IN TIME FOR FREEDOM FEST >>>

News release out of the Fort Lewis PAO:

Fort Lewis, Wash. - About 350 Soldiers of the 14th Engineer Battalion will return home to Fort Lewis from a 15-month deployment to Iraq Saturday, July 4. The Soldiers will be reunited with families and friends at a Welcome Home ceremony scheduled for 4:30 p.m. at Wilson Gym on North Fort Lewis.

The 14th Engineer Battalion deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in mid-April 2008 and its engineer companies accomplished many successful missions during the battalion's tour of service in Iraq.

HHC, FSC, and 570th Engr. Co. - Headquarters and Headquarters Company (HHC) and the Forward Support Company (FSC) supplied security and logistical support while the 570th Engineer Company conducted route clearance patrols in northern and central Iraq. The 570th also completed the first iteration of the Iraqi Army Route Clearance Academy, where they trained 15 Iraqi Army Engineers over a 16-day course.

571st Engr. Co. - The 571st Engineer Company conducted route clearance patrols in northern Iraq. They also completed the construction of a Joint Security Station. The 571st also became involved in several humanitarian assistance missions designed to increase the Soldiers interactions with the local populace and foster improved relations with surrounding communities.

610th ESC - The 610th Engineer Support Company (ESC) completed the construction of numerous projects that included convoy staging lanes, motor pools, and a bulk fuel installation. The 610th ESC also assisted in the construction of a tactical communications facility, as well as force protection and drainage repairs.

About 170 other members of the 14th Engineer Battalion will arrive home on Monday, July 6.

Filed under: Engineers Fort Lewis Iraq