7th Eng. Bn. celebrates anniversary

LOGAR PROVINCE, Afghanistan – The 7th Engineer Battalion from Fort Drum, N.Y., celebrated its 150th year as a unit Dec. 31.

Currently deployed to several Forward Operating Bases in eastern Afghanistan, the 7th Eng. Bn. has a long and unique history dating back to the Union Army’s need for combat engineers during the Civil War.

“Our country has been around for 235 years and we’ve been around for 150 of those years,” U.S. Army Lt. Col. Mark Quander, a Washington D.C., native and battalion commander said.

The Soldiers of the 7th Eng. Bn. on Forward Operating Base Shank gathered to listen as the battalion history was read aloud and to remember those members who gave their lives during the Global War on Terrorism.

The anniversary is a significant milestone for the unit and gives perspective to their current deployment. Quander reminded those in attendance, “The history gives us a framework to consider what we’ve accomplished as an organization and the members of this battalion and regiment here today writing the history that others will read in the future.”

For Afghan National Army Lt. Col. Malikidin, 203rd Corps brigade engineer and ANA 1st Lt. Noor-Ahmed, an ANA route clearance platoon leader, this was the first time they had heard the history of the 7th Engineer Battalion.

These officers were invited to the ceremony because their units conduct partnership training and operations with the Soldiers of the 7th Eng. Bn.

Following the ceremony, Malikidin spoke with Quander saying, “I am impressed by the history of the 7th Engineer Battalion.  Prior to attending this ceremony, I was unaware of [It’s] rich history. I am thankful to have been invited and happy that my ANA engineers are able to work with the Soldiers of such a storied unit.”