1. OEF XIII-XIV
The sun sets on the route clearance package while stationed
at Forward Operating Base Pasab in the Zharay Province
east of Kandahar in the Arghandab River valley.
Photo: SPC. Soto
(This page) The 455th Engineer
Company's castle adorns the
entrance to her Tactical
Operations Center.
(Opposite Top) Commander:
Capt. Mason Flemmer
(Opposite Center) Executive
Officer: Andrew R. Turner
(Opposite Bottom) First
Sergeant: Adam J Schoessler
Photo: SPC. SotoPhoto: SPC. Soto
SGT. Schatz secures the Buffalo after an all-day route
clearance simulation during Mobilization. Training culminated
with a week long validation process prior to deployment.
40
Job 80008 Year 2014 Page 040 (561250564) 05/31/2014 3:16 AM
Images are low-resolution, are not color-managed, and do not reflect final quality.
Copyright © Jostens Inc, 2014
TRIM LINE TRIM LINE
TRIM LINE TRIM LINE
TRIMLINETRIMLINE
TRIMLINETRIMLINE

2. In the late summer of 2013, numerous Soldiers from across the country
volunteered to deploy with the men and women of the 455th Engineer
Company out of Hayden, Idaho. These volunteers came from units as far
away as the East Coast and from Military Occupational Specialties as
diverse as Surveyor Draftsmen, Truck Drivers, and Cavalry. For the next
nine months, their lives as students, teachers, tradesmen, and business
men would be placed on hold. Their mission was to seek out the
improvised explosive device (IED) threats which plagued the roads
throughout Regional Command- South.
Upon arriving in Afghanistan, the Maintenance Platoon quickly
established an efficient base of operations. With limited resources, they
were able to adapt and overcome extreme adversity and successfully
prepare the company’s three Route Clearance Packages (RCPs), each of
which consisted of more than one-dozen vehicles. Through their hard work
and determination, the Maintenance Platoon sustained a nearly 100
percent rate of mission readiness for each package throughout the
duration of the deployment.
The Headquarters department, too, faced its own set of challenges. In
spite of limited available resources and outside support, they managed to
meet the logistical and administrative demands of the company’s three
RCPs.
The platoon leaders and platoon sergeants demanded much of their
Soldiers. They not only devoted themselves to ensuring their Soldiers were
well versed in the latest Counter- IED tactics and procedures to combat
the threats; but they also committed themselves to raising their morale and
developing their military careers. Some Soldiers even submitted packets to
earn their “stripes.”
But the sacrifices of the Family Readiness Group, and the countless
family members and loved ones we left back home cannot go
unrecognized. The hardships of a deployment are shouldered by all we
leave behind.
Congratulations and thank you to all the members of the 455th
Engineer Company for a job well done. Prey to Kill!
Photo credit
455th En Co
SSG. Mittler Keeps Calm and Chives On.
12
The infamous Poo Pond of Kandahar Air
Field.
The RCP barely
outruns a wall of
sand and rain
near Kandahar
city.
Photo: SSG. Montoya
Photo: SSG. Montoya
Photo: SPC. Soto Photo: SPC. Soto Photo: SPC. Soto
41
Photo: SPC. Soto
Job 80008 Year 2014 Page 041 (561250565) 05/31/2014 3:16 AM
Images are low-resolution, are not color-managed, and do not reflect final quality.
Copyright © Jostens Inc, 2014
TRIM LINE TRIM LINE
TRIM LINE TRIM LINE
TRIMLINETRIMLINE
TRIMLINETRIMLINE

3. The Headquarters platoon
faced countless insurmount-
able challenges well before
even setting the first boot on
Afghan soil. From last minute
billeting issues to resolving a
Soldier's administrative
concerns to sustaining the
company's combat readiness
with adequate supplies and
equipment while divided
between two locations; HQ
thrived on a resourcefulness
which never let it fail to
successfully accomplish the
task. And the glue which
seemed to hold everything
together was SFC. Hartman.
With his heavy Vietnamese accent,
SPC. Nguyen was a natural for
Radio Telephone Operator.
CPL. Kinser was more than the
Supply Clerk. He was an integral
part of the company's success.
CPL. Pederson , the Commo
NCOIC.
HEADQUARTERS PLATOON
SSG. Mace maneuvers his forces into
position to dominate the battle space.
(Rear, L-R) SGT. Vroman, SFC. Hartman, 1LT. Turner, CPT. Flemmer, SSG. Mace, PFC. Byrd, SPC.
Pederson, SPC. Hulse. (Front, L-R) SPC. Nguyen, SSG. Kalpee, SSG. Minor, 1LT. Lind, SFC. "First
Sergeant" Schoessler, SGT. Bucher, SGT. "Doc" Wilson, and SPC. Pollei.
SFC. Hartman (left) pictured with SGT.
Bucher (center) and SSG. Mace.
The First Sergeant,
SFC. Schoessler
All photos this page by SPC. Soto except where noted.
Photo: SSG. Montoya
42
Job 80008 Year 2014 Page 042 (561442221) 05/31/2014 3:16 AM
Images are low-resolution, are not color-managed, and do not reflect final quality.
Copyright © Jostens Inc, 2014
TRIM LINE TRIM LINE
TRIM LINE TRIM LINE
TRIMLINETRIMLINE
TRIMLINETRIMLINE

4. 1st Platoon spent the first part
of the tour "holding the fort
down" from Kandahar while
2nd and 3rd were stationed at
FOB Pasab. With the company
consolidated once again back
at KAF, 1st Platoon then
pushed out to FOB Pasab
where they were to spend the
remainder of the Tour to serve
as the Infantry's go-to
Breaching Element. From
there, they maintained a fast
paced mission tempo clearing
along the numerous routes to
the south and west eliminating
any and all possible IED
threats along the way.
SPC. Gunkel displays his defiance
to the insurgency.
SPC. "Obee" O'Brien conducts pre-
mission checks on the Buffalo.
SPC. Bell was a critical part of the
Asset Recovery Team.
1ST PLATOON
1LT. Elhert (pictured) briefs his platoon prior to departing
on a mission from Kandahar Air Field. Most missions
began well before sunrise. A "late" morning start such as
this was a luxury welcomed by all.
Shortly after taking this photo, SPC.
Paul certainly did sprout wings.
Photo: SSG. Montoya
All photos this page by SPC. Soto except where noted. 43
Job 80008 Year 2014 Page 043 (561442222) 05/31/2014 3:16 AM
Images are low-resolution, are not color-managed, and do not reflect final quality.
Copyright © Jostens Inc, 2014
TRIM LINE TRIM LINE
TRIM LINE TRIM LINE
TRIMLINETRIMLINE
TRIMLINETRIMLINE

5. 2nd Platoon was led by 1LT.
Bailey and SSG. Montoya.
Shortly upon arriving to
Kandahar, 2nd pushed off with
3rd Platoon to the austere
conditions of Forward
Operating Base Pasab
approximately 10 miles west of
KAF where they would operate
with the 2nd Cavalry Regiment
"Dragoons". 2nd Platoon
consolidated back to KAF
shortly before New Years.
They would continue
conducting route clearance
operations this time with the
4th Infantry Division. The
platoon also operated as a
security force during a base
closer and as a Quick
Reaction Force to attacks.
Doc Schmidt rendering
critical life-saving aid.
SPC. Fife loves it when
a plan comes together.
Waiting with a sense of
urgency.
SPC. Soto and SPC. de St. Jean
celebrate with Old St. Nick.
2nd PLATOON
SPC. O'Neill, CPL. Hawkins, and
SPC. Brigman prior to SP.
SSG. Montoya (left) takes roll call with SSG. Mittler prior to departing
on a route clearance mission from FOB Pasab near Kandahar City.1LT. Bailey,Platoon Leader, briefs last
minute mission details prior to SP.
2nd Platoon prepares to collectively crush
the run portion of the Army Physical
Fitness Test while at KAF. The platoon
savored a 100% passing rate and relished
in the fact each one shaved at least one
minute off their individual run times.
SGT. Ortiz demonstrates
suppressive firing techniques.
(L-R) "Doc" Schmidt,
CPL. McGuckin, and
SGT. Yahrling.
All photos this page by SPC. Soto.
44
Job 80008 Year 2014 Page 044 (561442230) 05/31/2014 3:18 AM
Images are low-resolution, are not color-managed, and do not reflect final quality.
Copyright © Jostens Inc, 2014
TRIM LINE TRIM LINE
TRIM LINE TRIM LINE
TRIMLINETRIMLINE
TRIMLINETRIMLINE

6. Soldiers of 3rd Platoon,
your leadership is very
proud. On behalf of SSG
Matiska and myself, it
was an honor to work
with each and every one
of you. We could not
have asked for a better
group of Soldiers. Thank
you to 1st and 2nd
platoon as well. Your
support was vital to
mission success.
-- 1LT. James T. Hill
SGT. Allen, PV2. Beckman, and SPC. Weaver
suited up and ready for mission.
SPC. Hislop and SPC. Walker enjoy
some down-time prior to a mission.
SGT. Allen keeps CPL.
Green in check.
SPC. Bogart peers through the rear
hatch of his Royal Guard-33.
3rd PLATOON
SSG. Bowers is all smiles
in the pilot's seat of an
AH-64D Apache at
Kandahar Air Field. The
Army's combat-proven
multi-mission attack
helicopter played an
essential role in the
company's mission by
maintaining constant
vigilance from high
above against
any threats to
the route
clearance
patrols.
One of the
Apache's 40 Hydra
70 fire-and-forget
rockets
One of the
Apache's 40 Hydra
70 fire-and-forget
rockets
SSG. Kochanski patiently awaits to
board his flight out to FOB Pasab.
All photos this page by SPC. Soto except where noted.
Photo: SSG. Montoya
Photo: SSG. Montoya
Photo: SSG. MontoyaPhoto: CPL. MoorePhoto: CPL. MoorePhoto: CPL. Moore
45
Job 80008 Year 2014 Page 045 (561442252) 05/31/2014 3:18 AM
Images are low-resolution, are not color-managed, and do not reflect final quality.
Copyright © Jostens Inc, 2014
TRIM LINE TRIM LINE
TRIM LINE TRIM LINE
TRIMLINETRIMLINE
TRIMLINETRIMLINE

7. Led by Motor Sergeant, SFC.
Humphrey, and Shop
Foreman, SSG. Abbott, the
Maintenance Platoon diligently
worked 10 hour days on six
day rotations with one day off
per week to tackle the
company's various services
from routine lube orders to full-
on engine swaps. By tour's
end , Maintenance logged an
excess of 2,800 labor hours to
maintain an impressive 98.6%
Full Mission Capability.
"If we can git the pawrts, we
can git that sum bitch outta
here!" --SFC.Humphrey
SGT. Nonnemacher supervises
recovery of the M916's flat-bed.
SPC. Maldonado is a master of his
craft and fabricated numerous
solutions to tricky repair jobs.
SPC. Campbell bears the tell-tale
signs of long hours spent under the
trucks.
MAINTENANCE
CPL. Abramyan awaits to board the
bird out to FOB Pasab from KAF.
SPC. Peterson and SGT. Dyer re-
place the brake pads on a MaxxPro
Mine Resistant Ambush Protected
Vehicle between missions.
All photos this page by SPC. Soto46
Job 80008 Year 2014 Page 046 (561442262) 05/31/2014 3:21 AM
Images are low-resolution, are not color-managed, and do not reflect final quality.
Copyright © Jostens Inc, 2014
TRIM LINE TRIM LINE
TRIM LINE TRIM LINE
TRIMLINETRIMLINE
TRIMLINETRIMLINE

8. (Above) Battalion Commander Col. Acker personally
presents CPL. Moore with the Army Achievement
Medal. In all, 14 Soldiers were presented with the
AAM for their exceptional contributions to the
success of the 65th En Bn's mission.
(Above) The 14 Soldiers of the 455th who
received AAMs during an awards ceremony
presided by Lt. Col Acker, 65th En Bn
Commander.
(Left) The Army Achievement Medal (AAM) is
awarded for distinguished meritorious service
or achievement or for an exceptional specific
achievement in either combat or noncombat.
(Below) The face of the
65th Engineer Battalion
Challenge Coin .
(Left) Awardees of the
Army Achievement
Medal are personally
congratulated by
Command Sgt. Maj.
McVicker.
(Below) 65th Engineer
Battalion Commander, Lt.
Col. Acker presents several
Soldiers of the 455th with
the Battalion's Challenge
coin for their various
contributions to the
success of the platoon.
(Below) The back side
of the 65th Engineer
Battalion Challenge
Coin awarded by the
Battalion Sergeant
Major and Commander
for excellence in
combat.
AWARDSReceiving of the Task Force Bayonet Coin.
Recognition of meritorious service and achievements.
Recognition for Excellence in Combat.
Eight Soldiers re-enlisted while
on tour. Here, SSG. Matiska
swears in at his ceremony.
All photos this page by SPC. Soto escept where noted.
Photo: SPC. O'Neill
Photo: SSG. Montoya
47
Job 80008 Year 2014 Page 047 (561442236) 05/31/2014 3:21 AM
Images are low-resolution, are not color-managed, and do not reflect final quality.
Copyright © Jostens Inc, 2014
TRIM LINE TRIM LINE
TRIM LINE TRIM LINE
TRIMLINETRIMLINE
TRIMLINETRIMLINE

9. (Above) The newest members of the NCO
Corps: (L-R) SGT. Schatz, SGT. Allen,
SGT. Hanni, and SGT. Clawson.
(Right) Private First Class Mellott also earns
the honor of promotion to Specialist.
(Below) Private First
Class Sedgewick is
welcomed to the NCO
ranks as he receives his
promotion to Corporal.
(Right) 2nd Platoon, 1st
Squad Leader, SGT.
Mittler, represents the
455's only non-
Commissioned Officer to
ascend the NCO ladder
to earn the rank of Staff
Sergeant.
(Below) Privates First
Class Tran (pictured
with Capt. Flemmer)
receives his promotion
to Specialist. PFC.
Pederson (left) joins
the NCO Corps as
Corporal.
(Left) Private First
Class Ferguson, one
of 2nd Platoon's
machine gunner,
receives his long
awaited promotion to
Specialist.
PROMOTIONS2 Promotions to PV2. 14 promotions to Specialist.
8 promotions to Corporal. 6 promotions to Sergeant. One
promotion each to Staff Sergeant and Sergeant
First Class. And one promotion to First Lieutenant.
(Below) Private First Class Johnson
receives his promotion to Specialist from
Company Commander Capt. Flemmer.
(Left) Second
Lieutenant Bailey is
congratulated by
members of his
platoon after receiving
his field promotion to
First Lieutenant..
All photos this page by SPC. Soto.
48
Job 80008 Year 2014 Page 048 (561442264) 05/31/2014 3:34 AM
Images are low-resolution, are not color-managed, and do not reflect final quality.
Copyright © Jostens Inc, 2014
TRIM LINE TRIM LINE
TRIM LINE TRIM LINE
TRIMLINETRIMLINE
TRIMLINETRIMLINE

10. Lineage and History
455th Engineer Company
The humble beginnings of the 455th Engineer Company (En Co) stretches back to World War II when it was constituted
as the 608th Engineer Light Equipment Company in Rockford, Illinois by the United States Army on 19 December 1942. It
was activated shortly thereafter on 25 January 1943 at Camp Swift, Texas and sailed for England later the same year with
just over 100 Soldiers.
Elements of the 608th landed on Omaha Beach on D-Day and helped clear the beach of debris with their bulldozers for
the oncoming waves of landing Soldiers. The remaining elements crossed the English Channel to land on Utah Beach on D
+39. Under Patton's 3rd Army, in France and Germany the 608th cleared roads of rubble and debris for the advancing
Army, repaired bomb-cratered roads, erected bridges, dug entrenchments and even dug graves. The 608th returned from
Europe in 1945 and later deactivated 27 June 1946.
The next year it was redesignated as the 455th Engineer Light Equipment Company and activated from Kansas with the
Organized Reserves. It spent the next ten years reorganized and redesignated first as the 455th Engineer Maintenance
Company, next as the 455th Engineer Aviation Maintenance Company, then the 455th Engineer Aviation Field Maintenance
Company, the 455th Engineer Aviation Company, and finally on 1 February 1957 as the 455th En Co from Olympia,
Washington.
In 2006, Bravo Co "Wolf Pack" deployed to Iraq under the 321st Engineer Battalion on a route clearance mission as the
lead element of "Task Force Pathfinder." For its part, the 321st earned the Army's Valorous Unit Award for display of
extraordinary heroism in action and the Navy Unit Commendation for service with the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force where
they helped redefine the concept of valor to meet the needs of counterinsurgency operations throughout Anbar Province.
Numerous Bronze Stars and Purple Hearts were awarded to Bravo Co's Soldiers during the war.
Activated from its new home in Hayden Lake, Idaho on 16 September 2008, the 455th En Co would deploy to southern
Afghanistan in October 2013 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Under the 65th Engineer Battalion, the 455th
"Lobos" would conduct counter-Improvised Explosive Device (IED)and IED-Defeat operations clearing over 6,500
kilometers of roads from IED threats as part of "Taskforce Bayonet."
The 455th En Co returned to its home in Hayden Lake, Idaho in late July 2014 where it stands ready to deploy once
again ready to support the next mission as world-class Combat Engineers. Prey to KILL!
All photos this page by SPC. Soto.
The FOSSI arm was an
indespensible tool used to
interrogate culverts, debris, and
any suspected IED threats.
A brief stop over at Spin Boldak near the
Pakistani border provides for a quick photo op.
2nd Platoon
dismount team
sweeps for
command wire-IEDs
along Hwy. 4
outside of
Spin Boldak.
Job 80008 Year 2014 Page 049 (561442278) 05/31/2014 3:34 AM
Images are low-resolution, are not color-managed, and do not reflect final quality.
Copyright © Jostens Inc, 2014
TRIM LINE TRIM LINE
TRIM LINE TRIM LINE
TRIMLINETRIMLINE
TRIMLINETRIMLINE