Engineers Return from Iraq, Cut Forces in Afghanistan

Capt. John Kubeika, executive officer, 576th Engineer Company, salutes a rendition of the “The Star-Spangled Banner” Dec. 30 during a welcome home ceremony. Almost 200 combat engineers deployed in August to provide route clearance and sanitation missions in Afghanistan. An end-of-year accelerated reduction of forces resulted in almost half of the unit redeploying after only four months.