1092nd Engineer Battalion to Return from Afghanistan Friday

​​From the West Virginia National Guard:

PARKERSBURG -- Approximately 200 Soldiers with the 1092nd Engineer Battalion are returning to West Virginia after spending nearly a year in Afghanistan. Unit members left the Mountain State in February, 2010 for mobilization training in Wisconsin prior to deploying.

The troops are due to arrive at the Mid-Ohio Valley Airport at 11:30 a.m. A welcome home reception with friends and family members is planned shortly after the Soldiers’ arrival.

For nearly a year, members of the 1092nd Engineer Battalion conducted a diverse range of engineer operations including Civil Military Operations, vertical and horizontal construction. They worked on construction projects and developed future plans for engineer missions throughout Afghanistan’s Regional Command - East.

Civil Military Operations allowed Soldiers not only to construct projects within Afghan communities, but to teach their skills to the Afghan contractors and other local workers. Courses ranged from business management to small engine repair. In all, 13 general contractor courses were taught to dozens of Afghans. Another training initiative, the Center for Engineering Excellence, trained nearly 400 students.

The unit administered $7.1 million in civil projects, performed 25 Quality Assurance/Control missions to Sharana City to include building the first Orphanage in Paktika Providence.

The unit command and controlled several engineer companies that completed various vertical and horizontal construction projects to construct combat outposts throughout their area of operations. Their efforts have improved the living conditions and increased the force protection for Soldiers operating in southern Afghanistan.

NOTE: Media interested in covering the homecoming ceremony should plan to arrive at the airport by 11 a.m. Please contact Sgt. Anna-Marie Hizer at 304-561-6763 for additional information.

Contact: Anna-Marie Hizer, 304-561-6763