FORT CARSON, Colo. — Division Command Sgt. Maj. Timothy L. Metheny, 4th Infantry Division and Fort Carson, speaks to Soldiers of 588th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Inf. Div., before presenting coins as a sign of recognition and gratitude for the dedication to the unit. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Ange Desinor)
By Staff Sgt. Ange Desinor
3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs Office, 4th Infantry Division
FORT CARSON, Colo. — Early one Sunday afternoon, Soldiers of 588th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, and Fort Carson Fire and Emergency personnel battled a fire near Gate 5 and the Navajo Village housing area March 4, 2018.
Staff Sgt. Michelle Kay Maschino, squad leader, Company B, 588th BEB, and 13 other engineers cleared burned debris to help contain the blaze.
Maschino received a call from her platoon leader instructing her to recall all available Soldiers to the company to help combat a fire burning on post.
Upon receipt of mission, Maschino sprang into action.
FORT CARSON, Colo. — Soldiers with the 588th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, battle the Orchard Canyon Fire in training area 38 on Fort Carson. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Ange Desinor)
“After my platoon leader called, all I could think about is how big the fire was, what the damage was already and I prayed nothing else would happen,” said Maschino. “I called all of my (NCOs) and told them to (send any nearby Soldiers) to the company area.”
The engineers staged their bulldozers, donned their protective gear and were ready to move out to the affected areas within 45 minutes.
“We loaded up our equipment and rolled out,” she said. “It took us about 15 minutes to get to the golf course …, stage and find out where to go from there.”
Once on scene, firefighters directed the Soldiers to begin excavating the area near the hospital to prevent the fire from spreading.
“They informed us they needed a firebreak from the hospital fences across the hill to prevent the fire from getting over to the hospital or coming back toward” 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) compound, said Maschino.
FORT CARSON, Colo. — Lt. Col George A. Mitroka, commander, 588th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, speaks to Soldiers of 588th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 3rd ABCT, expressing his gratitude for their dedication to the unit. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Ange Desinor)
Maschino and her Soldiers worked diligently, clearing a 1,800-meter strip of earth between the fire and the post.
After a few hours, the fire died out and the Soldiers were allowed to load their equipment and head back to the motor pool.
Pleased with their quick response, Command Sgt. Maj. Timothy L. Metheny, 4th Inf. Div. and Fort Carson, presented the Soldiers with coins as a sign of recognition and gratitude for their dedication to the unit and safety of the Mountain Post Families, Soldiers and the surrounding community.
“I just wanted to say thank you, thank you for hard work,” said Metheny.