(Bringing you part 4 of this five-part series on the 54th Chief of Engineers’ visit to the Transatlantic Afghanistan District, we take you on his journey to some of the projects and meeting the regiment)
Lt. Gen. Todd T. Semonite, USACE Commanding General and 54th U. S. Army Chief of Engineers, and Command Sergeant Major Brad Houston packed a lot of engagements into their recent visit to the Transatlantic Afghanistan District.
Beyond the operation briefings and regimental town hall, General Semonite was able to get out about the Afghanistan footprint where the Regiment works. He remarked about a sign he had seen on one of walls at the USACE headquarters which read, “If you had to be here till the end what more would you do today.”
Semonite spoke about the enlisted E-3 pay grade soldier he just met who is a roller operator in the construction company, saying that whether you’re a senior civilian in the Corps, whether you’re a Major, or command sergeant major, are we doing everything we can to try to make a difference here.
He was also able to engage in a dinner with senior Army Engineer leaders where they discussed updates across the Engineer Regiment and topics relevant to engineer operations in Afghanistan. Gen. Semonite stressed how Engineers continue to play a vital role in our nations support to the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces.
Some of his visits took him to see the Afghanistan District Power Cell team at Resolute Support as they continue in the support of USAID in helping the Afghan government provide electrical power transmission and distribution throughout the country.
He engaged with regimental soldiers from the 801 Engineer Company and the 315th Engineer Battalion, along with the 264th engineers.
This fast-paced visit took him to a couple USACE project sites even before he was headed on a plane out of country he was able to see the progress with some of the enhancement in security capabilities.
During this visit General Semonite reminded the regiment that right now the commitment on the part of the federal government is we’re going to continue to have a capability here. “That’s not so much about building new barracks, not so much about moving walls around inside of a dolke or something, but it really goes back to show the Afghan community at large that we’re committed to be able to help them have a future. That’s what it’s all about,” he said.