34.5 F
Clarksville
Thursday, March 28, 2024
HomeNewsFort Campbell's 101st Sustainment Brigade Lifeliners "Sapper Eagles" demark Brigades, re-patch...

Fort Campbell’s 101st Sustainment Brigade Lifeliners “Sapper Eagles” demark Brigades, re-patch Combat Patch

Written by Sgt. 1st Class Pete Mayes
101st Sustainment Brigade Public Affairs Officer

Fort Campbell KY, 101st Airborne Division101st Sustainment Brigade - Lifeliners

Fort Campbell, KY – A storied Army engineer battalion opened a new chapter in its illustrious history Tuesday, marking a transition to a new brigade.

The 326th Engineer Battalion, 20th Engineer Brigade, conducted a patch ceremony to mark the transition to the 36th Engineer Brigade. The “Sapper Eagles” are assigned to the 101st Sustainment Brigade, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), while stationed at Fort Campbell.

John Fallon, a former captain with the 36th Engineer Brigade, gives a “Seahorse” patch to a Soldier from the 326th Engineer Battalion, 101st Sustainment Brigade, during a Patch ceremony at Fort Campbell. The “Sapper Eagles” are attached to the Lifeliners while assigned to Fort Campbell. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Pete Mayes.)
John Fallon, a former captain with the 36th Engineer Brigade, gives a “Seahorse” patch to a Soldier from the 326th Engineer Battalion, 101st Sustainment Brigade, during a Patch ceremony at Fort Campbell. The “Sapper Eagles” are attached to the Lifeliners while assigned to Fort Campbell. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Pete Mayes.)

The left shoulder diamond-shaped combat patch bearing the engineer castle was replaced with the shield-shaped red and white combat patch bearing the seahorse insignia. The brigade, which falls under Third Corps at Fort Hood, Texas, is known for its amphibious assault legacy dating back to World War II.

“We have a great working relationship with the “Rugged” team, and the history that they’ve had since WWII, along with the experience of their leadership that they provide is phenomenal,” said 1st Sgt. Frank Stiglich, command sergeant major, 326th Eng. Bn.

Stiglich said the 326th Engineer Bn., was on the original activation orders for the 101st Airborne Division.

“We’ve always been a part of this division, and will continue to do so, but it’s really just modularity under the Army as to what patch we’ll wear,” he said.

Battalion Commander Lt. Col. Patrick Kinsman said the ceremony and re-patching does not take away from the achievements of the “Sapper Eagles.”

“We’re transitioning from one great brigade to another …this battalion has an amazing legacy of service that goes back to the original formation of the 101st,” he said. “We will always be here as the “Sapper Eagle” battalion.”

Cpt. John Fallon, a former Soldier with the 36th Engineer Brigade during World War II, was the special guest for the patch ceremony, and was given the honor of presenting the first patch to one of the Soldiers in the formation.

“I am very impressed with the people here, the training, and extremely pleased with the hospitality,” Fallon said. “They’ve been so nice to me, and they’ve made every minute here a pleasure. I’m sure they’ll be glad to be in the 36th now.”

RELATED ARTICLES

Latest Articles