2nd Combat Engineer Battalion continues the fight

Photo By Sgt. Walter D. Marino II | Sgt. Maj. Steven Brown, sergeant major of 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion, helps Maj. Kirk F. Cordova uncase their unit's colors, during a change of command ceremony Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan, Oct. 10, 2009. The ceremony concluded the final step in rotating 1st CEB with 2nd CEB. During their seven month deployment in Afghanistan, 1st CEB found over 175 roadside bombs.  

CAMP LEATHERNECK, AFGHANISTAN

10.29.2009

Courtesy Story

2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade

CAMP LEATHERNECK, Helmand province, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan — Engineers play a vital role in Afghanistan. Over the past seven months, 1st Combat Engineer Battalion, a.k.a. the Super Breed, Marine Expeditionary Brigade- Afghanistan has found over 175 roadside bombs and cleared over 750 miles of road. As 1st CEB's tour comes to an end, 2nd CEB prepares to continue operations.

Before departing, the Super Breed passed on their operational knowledge to the Marines relieving them.

"What we did was put the Marines with the same jobs together and showed them the exact things we did every day," said Cpl. Jonathan M. Pralour, a wireman with 1st CEB. "They sat right next to us while we worked, then this past week we let them do the job and critiqued them and made sure they were doing it correctly."

1st CEB Marines feel proud of their accomplishments and are confident that their replacements are going to continue to get the job done.

"We're proud of every single one of our men fighting the engineer fight," said Maj. Prescott N. Wilson, operations officer, with 1st CEB. "It's been challenging but it's only been possible with our fantastic Marines and sailors. 2nd CEB has come in with the same size and some fresh ideas, they're going to take the ball and run."

During a ceremony Oct.27, Brig. Gen. Larry D. Nicholson, commanding general of MEB — Afghanistan, had the following words to say to the new engineers.

"It is not a change of command ceremony, rather a relief in place, the fight isn't stopping," said Nicholson. "I know 2nd CEB is ready, my expectation is that you improve upon this."

Relieving the Super Breed will be no easy task, but Maj. Kirk F. Cordova, commanding officer of 2nd CEB, feels confident that his Marines will get the job done, with a primary focus on roadside bombs.

"My measure of effectiveness is to increase the number of finds to strikes, pushing IEDS away from our forward operating bases," said Cordova. "We're excited to have the opportunity to support the MEB with our capabilities."

• Date Taken: 10.29.2009
• Date Posted: 10.29.2009 07:28
• Story ID: 40809
• Location: CAMP LEATHERNECK, AF