Mission complete for Missouri Guard units and Guatemalans

By Ann Keyes
ngmo.pao@us.army.mil

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - While much of the Missouri National Guard's 203rd Engineer Battalion of Joplin is serving in Afghanistan, some of its Soldiers - particularly those with the 276th Engineer Company of Pierce City - embarked on a different mission as part of Beyond the Horizon.
"We built a two-room schoolhouse from the ground, up," said Sgt. 1st Class Timothy Brittain of the 276th. "The schoolhouse is in a community that serves about 120 families, and children were using an open-air, pavilion-type structure for their classes."
The 276th Engineer Company is the 203rd's vertical construction company, employing carpenters, electricians, plumbers, masons and other construction experts. In addition to serving as annual training for the 276th, Beyond the Horizon did double-duty as annual training for the Missouri Guard's Detachment 3, Company I, 185th Theater Aviation Company, a group of pilots and crew flying the C-23 Sherpa.
"The 203rd engineers were supporting Beyond the Horizon and our detachment flew personnel, equipment and supplies," said Chief Warrant Officer James Williams, of Monett.
Soldiers with the 276th went in groups of 20, said unit commander Capt. Larry Adrian, with staggered rotations running from late March to late May. Each group completed a segment of the schoolhouse. The 185th served in rotations during the month of April, said Williams.
Beyond the Horizon is a U.S. Army initiative that promotes partnership and friendship between Guatemala and the United States, assisting Guatemalans in their medical, dental and educational needs. The initiative is part of the Partnership of the Americas which aims to provide humanitarian assistance to the Guatemalan government and to further the United States' efforts in being a good neighbor.
This is the second like-mission for 203rd Soldiers. From February to June 2007, hundreds of 203rd Troops participated in Task Force Guatemala, whereby they constructed base-camp structures, as well as clinics and schoolhouses within the communities.
Staff Sgt. Derek Acheson of the 276th said he learned a lot on his first mission to Guatemala in 2007.
"It's a benefit to all Soldiers, to see other countries and see how other people live in other cultures," said Cassville resident Acheson. "It's an eye-opening experience for everyone."
"The locals were excited about the completion of the schoolhouse and had a ceremony at the end. It turned out great," said Adrian of the 2010 mission.
And as a partnership, the benefit goes both ways.

"Guatemalans use different construction techniques than we do here, and the locals are more familiar with the soil types and terrain," Adrian said. "This mission provides a great opportunity for our Soldiers to learn new techniques that apply to their trade."

For more information about the Missouri National Guard, please call 1-888-GoGuard or visit www.moguard.com.

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For more information about this release, please contact Ann Keyes at (417) 766-2778 or ann.keyes@us.army.mil.