Forward Support Company
Capt. Carolee L. Schwarzer
1st. Sgt. Jeffrey Melendez Rivera
Mission
On order, Forward Support Company deploys worldwide to execute transportation, maintenance, and logistical support for engineer combat operations in order to provide security, sustainment, command and control, and general engineering in support of the 19th Engineer Battalion.
History
On 16 February 2006 the 19th Engineer Battalion reactivated at Fort Knox, KY and within it, the Forward Support Company. Though the FSC began as a squad sized element, it soon formed into 3 platoons. All personnel within the FSC were made aware of their imminent deployment overseas and began training for possible scenarios and duties they may encounter.
On August 26, 2006, the FSC deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Upon arrival into theatre, the FSC conducted a transfer of authority with 505th North Carolina National Guard at COB Speicher, located outside Tikrit. Immediately, the FSC went to work. A battalion’s fleet of poorly maintained, ignored, and/or war-weary vehicles crowded the deadline report and the Maintenance Platoon quickly found the necessity of their trait. The Distribution Platoon's operations centered around the escorting and hauling of highly mission-essential engineer equipment throughout the entirety of MND-North supporting elements from company to division levels.
On November 11, 2007 the FSC redeployed back to Fort Knox after an extensive 15 month tour in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and currently remains in Kentucky.
In July 2008, FSC went to the field and supported the BN FTX through serving hot chow two times a day, fuel and water distribution, ammo support and distribution, wrecker, and onsite maintenance support. This vital support was essential to the rest of the battalion ability to continue their missions and training. FSC continued its support of the 19th EN BN in September of 2008 during PLT STX and convoy live fire exercise enabling the BN to conduct realist training exercises. In November of 2008, FSC and the BN trained at Fort Irwin during NTC 09-02 rotation.
FSC conducted over 20 missions hauling food, water, ammo, and thousands of pounds of class IV material. Through all its food, maintenance, and distribution support FSC conducted numerous training exercises and was the only company in the BN deemed trained in all areas that were graded during NTC.
In spring of 2009 the organization again deployed. This time, the FSC was operating from south-west Asia at Kandahar Air Field (KAF), Afghanistan, in support of theater engineering operations. It was a long year before the company was to redeploy back to Fort Knox, KY. From April 2010 to the present, the company has been supporting the CONUS operations for the Seahorse Battalion.
Awards & Honors
FSC is also nominated for Meritorious Unit Award for each of its performances during Operation Iraqi Freedom from August 2006 through November 2007 and for her most recent deployment to Afghanistan, from April 2009 through April 2010.