A Co. 62nd. In Kuwait

Their contributions literally make a lasting impression. They are the earthmovers, plumbers, carpenters and electricians who make life on Doha and out in the kabal much easier for everyone. They are Company A, 62nd Engineer Battalion, 13th Corps Support Command.

           

Their mission is to sustain the Army’s presence, enhance survivability, provide mobility, and counter enemy advancement, according to 1st Lt. Ryan White, 1st Platoon, Co. A, 62nd Eng. Bn., 13th COSCOM.

         

“We are currently renovating parts of the Combined Operations Intelligence Center, providing a more permanent structure and strengthening security,” said White. “We came up with a design and began demolition. We tore down the partitions, removed all the debris, laid the floor, framed the walls, put up sheet rock and ran wire. A contractor installed the telecommunications. Then we put up the drop ceilings.”

                      

In addition to renovations at the COIC, quality of life improvements are underway for other buildings on Camp Doha, according to Lt. Col. Stuart Harrison, Director of Installation Support, ARCENT-KU. New billeting is planned for several buildings where empty space will be converted into open bay sleeping areas.

“Our project is a warehouse conversion that will provide a headquarters facility for the Combined Joint Task Force,” said Marine Capt. Joseph Plenzler, CJTF spokesman. “It will include operational, administrative, billeting and storage spaces. The operational spaces are designed to accommodate coalition forces.”

               

“CJTF is funding the project and the Corps of Engineers is responsible for the design, supervision and administration of the project,” added Plenzler. “Al Ghanim Combined Group Co., a local Kuwaiti contractor, was chosen to do the construction.”

“With the help of the Corps of Engineers, the work was launched as a fast-track project to meet the Task Force’s operational requirements for a fully operational facility, providing work and billeting space in 60 days,” Plenzler continued. “Al Ghanim crews are working around the clock to meet the deadline.”

         

Also, more than 500 new living containers are under construction and thirty-two bathrooms to accommodate the occupants will be moved inside other warehouse buildings according to Harrison. Each bathroom will have three showers, sinks and latrines.

Additionally, four new latrine trailers will replace four of the oldest trailers, according to Harrison. The trailers removed will be refurbished and the cycle will continue until all latrines are up to standard.

The 62nd is not participating in most of the renovations at Camp Doha, but they are busy with missions in the kabals. They have enhanced the units’ mobility, set up structures to discourage and resist uninvited guests and landscaped the Udairi Desert in the process.

“We’ve connected different points in the kabal with roads for easier and safer travel,” said Sgt. Eddie Caraballo, 3rd Plt., Co. A. “We prepared a subsurface for tents that included a two-inch excavation. We dropped four inches of gravel on top of that and flattened it out for a smooth surface that would drain. Muddy tents can make life miserable out here.”

Recently, the 62nd broke ground on a MEDEVAC helicopter pad, according to Caraballo. The pad’s edges slope into the surrounding perimeter and make for a better approach. The surface is finished with a material that hardens like clay, significantly reducing the “brown out” conditions caused by helicopters landing on sand.

While mobility is important, security is also a priority.

“We’ve raised berms and made the s-curve barricades at the gates in the kabal,” said Caraballo. “The s-curve reduces speed, making it easier to stop vehicles and harder for them to escape. The gate guards are safer as a result.”

Beyond their support in the kabal and on Doha, the engineers can directly support infantry and artillery units, continued Caraballo.

“We can build defensive tank ditches, increasing survivability,” said Caraballo. “We use the excess dirt to surround the tank with a berm to conceal position. We also dig foxholes, bunkers and other fighting positions. We have road graders, bulldozers, scoop loaders and rollers out here that can move and push dirt a lot faster than an e-tool.”

Besides benefiting those on the ground, the berms and roads give visual advantages to pilots, according to Caraballo.

While the work might seem strenuous to some, Spc. Joshua Holsclaw, 1st Plt., Co. A, enjoys the fruits of his labor.

“I’ve always loved working with my hands and building things I’m proud of,” said Holsclaw. “We built the framework for the tents that house internet connections and DSN phone lines. Being part of something that raises moral is rewarding.”

Photos provided by Hazel Kimbrell 
Secratary, Land Clearing Assn.  
Thanks Hazel

Home