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History of Company A 40th Eng Bn 1st AD Baumholder

Company A, 40th Engineer Battalion, is a distinguished unit within the 1st Armored Division, historically stationed in Baumholder, Germany. The battalion traces its lineage to World War II, participating in campaigns across North Africa and Europe. During the Cold War, Company A played a vital role in maintaining NATO readiness and constructing key infrastructure throughout the region. In recent decades, the unit supported operations in the Balkans, Iraq, and Afghanistan, providing essential combat engineer capabilities such as mobility, countermobility, and survivability to U.S. and allied forces.

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ABOUT Company A 40th Eng Bn 1st AD Baumholder

  • Origins and Lineage: Company A, 40th Engineer Battalion traces its roots to the formation of the 40th Engineer Regiment in 1917, which served in France during World War I.
  • World War II Service: The 40th Engineer Battalion played a critical role in the North African and Italian Campaigns, supporting the advance of the Allied forces by constructing bridges, clearing mines, and rebuilding infrastructure.
  • Assignment to 1st Armored Division: The battalion, including Company A, has been a key combat engineer asset for the storied 1st Armored Division, "Old Ironsides," since World War II.
  • Baumholder Era: For much of the Cold War and beyond, Company A was stationed in Baumholder, Germany, a strategic NATO garrison near the former East-West German border.
  • Cold War Exercises: While in Baumholder, Company A participated in major NATO exercises such as REFORGER, training extensively for rapid deployment and engineering support in a potential European conflict.
  • Combat Deployments: Company A, 40th Eng Bn, has deployed to various conflicts, including Operation Desert Storm in 1991, where they supported breaching operations and mobility for coalition forces.
  • Bosnia and Kosovo Operations: In the late 1990s, the unit participated in peacekeeping and rebuilding missions during Operation Joint Endeavor and Joint Guardian in the Balkans.
  • Iraq and Afghanistan: During Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom, Company A provided route clearance, construction, and force protection, often under challenging combat conditions.
  • Unit Motto: The 40th Engineer Battalion's motto is "Volens et Potens" ("Willing and Able"), reflecting their readiness to tackle any engineering challenge in support of combat operations.
  • Legacy and Honors: The unit has earned numerous campaign streamers and decorations, including the Presidential Unit Citation and the Meritorious Unit Commendation, underscoring its distinguished service.

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