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120th Engineer Battalion waits for time to come home

By Jerry Wofford, Tulsa World·March 20, 2013

Deployment Overview

The 120th Engineer Battalion first deployed to Iraq when the United States had been at war there less than a year, establishing the Broken Arrow-based unit's long record of service in support of America's post-September 11 military campaigns. Now, approximately 200 members of the battalion are serving in Afghanistan, helping to manage the ongoing drawdown of coalition forces and performing route clearance operations in the southern region of the country. The soldiers are nearing the end of their current deployment and are expected to return home in mid-spring 2013.

Lt. Col. Jackie Ritter, commander of the 120th Engineer Battalion Task Force Outlaw, spoke about her soldiers from Afghanistan. "They're getting excited about going home," she said, describing the mood among troops who have spent months conducting dangerous operations far from their families and communities in Oklahoma. The battalion arrived in southern Afghanistan around August 2012 and has been operating primarily in the region surrounding Kandahar province.

Even as they look forward to returning home, the soldiers of the 120th have maintained focus on their mission. Ritter noted that operations have shifted somewhat as the broader drawdown of coalition forces progresses, with the pace of route clearance decreasing compared to the most intense period of activity earlier in the deployment. The unit has adapted its mission accordingly, now focusing more on consolidating forces and supporting the movement of personnel and equipment back toward larger forward operating bases.

Route Clearance Mission

The 120th Engineer Battalion provides command and control for approximately ten engineer route clearance companies operating in southern Afghanistan. Task Force Outlaw holds the distinction of being the only "combat effects battalion" in Afghanistan during this period, reflecting the direct and tangible impact that the unit's route clearance operations have on combat outcomes across the southern region.

Since arriving in Afghanistan around August 2012, the units under Task Force Outlaw's command have collectively traveled more than 150,000 miles through hostile territory. This staggering figure underscores the scope and intensity of route clearance operations required to keep coalition supply lines and patrol routes safe in one of the most dangerous theaters of the conflict. Each of those miles represented potential exposure to improvised explosive devices and other threats that insurgents use to target coalition forces.

Ritter acknowledged that the operational tempo has evolved as the overall mission in Afghanistan enters a new phase. "We're not clearing as many routes as we were when we first got here," she said, noting that the focus has begun shifting toward supporting the consolidation of forces rather than pushing outward into new territory. The mission has changed direction but not its fundamental nature: the battalion is "starting to pull that back to the larger forward operating bases" as part of the broader strategic transition underway in Afghanistan.

Adding another dimension to the ongoing commitment of Oklahoma's Guard soldiers in Afghanistan, the 1220th Engineer Company of Muskogee recently left Oklahoma for training at Fort Bliss before heading to Afghanistan later in 2013. The 1220th will focus on deconstruction of forward operating bases in eastern Afghanistan, a mission that reflects the next phase of the drawdown as the coalition works to dismantle the extensive infrastructure built up over more than a decade of operations.

Looking Homeward

As the 120th Engineer Battalion approaches the end of its deployment, there is an unmistakable sense of anticipation and reflection among its soldiers. Ritter's comment that "we can see the light at the end of the tunnel" captures the emotional reality of troops who have endured months of dangerous and demanding work in a foreign country and are now within sight of the journey home. The mid-spring return date gives soldiers and their families a tangible milestone to look forward to.

The 2013 deployment also coincides with the 10th anniversary of American involvement in Iraq, a conflict that officially ended for U.S. forces in late 2011. That anniversary invites reflection on the long arc of sacrifice that Oklahoma National Guard soldiers have made across more than a decade of continuous combat operations. The first Oklahoma National Guard casualty of both conflicts was Spc. Kyle Adam (Showler) Brinlee, who was 21 years old when he was killed by an improvised explosive device on May 11, 2004.

Ritter expressed deep appreciation for the support that Oklahoma communities have shown for their soldiers throughout these long years of conflict. "It's incredible to feel and see this kind of support especially after this war, 12 years into it," she said, acknowledging that sustaining public engagement and gratitude over more than a decade of war is itself a remarkable feat. The soldiers of the 120th Engineer Battalion return to a state that has demonstrated consistent and heartfelt appreciation for their service and sacrifice.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the mission of the 120th Engineer Battalion in Afghanistan?

The 120th Engineer Battalion deployed to southern Afghanistan as part of Operation Enduring Freedom, arriving in the region around August 2012. Their primary role was to serve as command and control headquarters for approximately ten engineer route clearance companies operating throughout the southern region, including Kandahar province. The unit operated under the designation Task Force Outlaw, which held the distinction of being the only "combat effects battalion" in the entire theater of operations during their deployment.

The battalion's work centered on keeping supply routes and patrol roads safe for coalition forces by systematically detecting and neutralizing improvised explosive devices and other threats. This was critical work in southern Afghanistan, a region long considered one of the most contested and dangerous in the country. The 120th Engineer Battalion's presence provided organizational cohesion and tactical coordination for the many smaller engineer companies that carried out the dangerous hands-on clearing work each day.

By the time the unit was approaching the end of its deployment in early 2013, it had overseen operations that collectively covered more than 150,000 miles traveled through hostile territory. That figure represents an enormous volume of dangerous movement, reflecting the scale and intensity of route clearance operations required to keep the logistics and combat networks of coalition forces functioning in the south. The accomplishment stood as a testament to the unit's endurance and skill.

As the drawdown of American forces in Afghanistan accelerated, the 120th's mission evolved accordingly. Rather than clearing new routes at the same pace as earlier in the deployment, the battalion shifted toward supporting the consolidation of forces onto larger forward operating bases, reflecting the changing strategic posture of the coalition as it prepared for an eventual transition of security responsibilities to Afghan forces.

What is route clearance and why is it important?

Route clearance is a specialized military engineering mission focused on detecting, marking, and neutralizing explosive hazards along roads and paths used by military forces. In Afghanistan, improvised explosive devices planted along roads and trails represented the leading cause of casualties for coalition forces throughout the war. Route clearance teams used a combination of specialized vehicles, detection equipment, and trained personnel to systematically sweep routes before and during convoy movements, dramatically reducing the risk to those who traveled behind them.

The task requires a unique combination of technical expertise, situational awareness, and physical courage. Route clearance soldiers operate in vehicles specifically designed to detect or absorb the blast of buried explosives, but no equipment eliminates all risk. Teams must remain alert for indicators of buried devices, command-detonated explosives triggered by enemy observation, and complex ambushes designed to target the clearance teams themselves. The work is methodical, often slow, and conducted under constant threat of attack.

In southern Afghanistan, where the 120th Engineer Battalion was stationed, route clearance was especially important because the road network served as the lifeline for forward combat operations against Taliban insurgents in Kandahar province and surrounding districts. Without regular clearance operations, supply convoys carrying food, fuel, ammunition, and equipment could not safely reach the troops who depended on them. Route clearance teams therefore enabled nearly every other military operation in their area of operations.

The significance of this work extends beyond its immediate tactical effects. By keeping routes open and reducing IED casualties, route clearance operations also contributed to the broader strategic effort to demonstrate to the Afghan population that coalition forces could provide security. Communities that saw improved road safety were more likely to trust coalition forces and the nascent Afghan government, making route clearance a mission with both tactical and political dimensions.

Who is Lt. Col. Jackie Ritter?

Lt. Col. Jackie Ritter served as the commander of the 120th Engineer Battalion Task Force Outlaw during the unit's deployment to Afghanistan. In that role, she was responsible for the overall leadership and coordination of the battalion's route clearance mission in southern Afghanistan, including command and control of approximately ten engineer companies operating in her area of responsibility. Her leadership guided the unit through one of the most demanding phases of the Afghanistan campaign, as coalition forces simultaneously maintained combat pressure and began the complex process of drawing down military infrastructure.

Ritter embodied the dual-life nature of the National Guard, serving in civilian life as a corporal with the Tulsa Police Department's Gilcrease Division. This background in law enforcement and public safety complemented her military engineering role, as both professions require careful risk assessment, decisive action under pressure, and leadership of teams operating in dangerous situations. Her civilian career reflected the deep commitment to public service that characterizes many National Guard soldiers, who routinely balance demanding military responsibilities with equally demanding civilian careers.

During the deployment, Ritter spoke candidly about the morale of her soldiers as they approached the end of their time in Afghanistan. "They're getting excited about going home," she noted, capturing the natural anticipation felt by troops nearing the conclusion of a lengthy and dangerous deployment. At the same time, she articulated the significance of the 10th anniversary of American involvement in Iraq, reflecting on the long arc of sacrifice that Oklahoma's National Guard soldiers had contributed across more than a decade of sustained combat operations.

Her perspective on the unit's accomplishments was equally reflective. Ritter noted that units had traveled more than 150,000 miles through hostile territory during the deployment, and acknowledged that the pace of route clearance operations had begun to decrease as the drawdown progressed. Her comment that "we can see the light at the end of the tunnel" spoke to the sense of measured optimism that soldiers feel when a long and difficult mission is nearing its successful conclusion.

What is Task Force Outlaw?

Task Force Outlaw was the operational designation of the 120th Engineer Battalion during its deployment to southern Afghanistan as part of Operation Enduring Freedom. The task force designation reflects the common military practice of organizing units around a core headquarters element and attaching various supporting units to create a combined arms or combined capability formation tailored to the specific mission requirements of a given operational environment. In this case, the 120th Engineer Battalion served as the command and control headquarters for a collection of engineer route clearance companies.

What distinguished Task Force Outlaw from other engineer formations in Afghanistan was its unique status as the only "combat effects battalion" in the theater during its deployment. This designation reflected the unit's specific role in directly affecting combat outcomes through its route clearance mission, as opposed to engineering units focused purely on construction or other support functions. The combat effects role placed Task Force Outlaw in the thick of the operational fight, with its subordinate companies conducting dangerous clearing operations in some of the most contested areas of southern Afghanistan.

The Broken Arrow-based battalion arrived in Afghanistan around August 2012 and operated primarily in the southern region, including Kandahar province, which had long been a center of Taliban power and insurgent activity. The unit's command and control function meant that Lt. Col. Ritter and her staff were responsible for synchronizing the operations of approximately ten separate engineer companies, coordinating their movements with other coalition units, managing logistics and personnel, and reporting results up the chain of command to regional headquarters.

By early 2013, with the Afghanistan drawdown well underway, Task Force Outlaw's mission was evolving from aggressive route clearance to supporting the consolidation of coalition forces onto larger bases. The unit's collective achievements — including overseeing more than 150,000 miles of travel through hostile territory — represented a significant contribution to the security of coalition forces during one of the most complex phases of the war in Afghanistan.

What sacrifices did the 120th Engineer Battalion make in Iraq?

The 120th Engineer Battalion has a history of service that predates the Afghanistan deployment, having also deployed to Iraq during the early years of the conflict there. The battalion deployed to Iraq when the United States had been at war there less than a year, placing it among the earliest National Guard units to enter that theater of operations. This early deployment to Iraq reflects the critical need for engineering capability during the initial phases of operations, when route clearance, construction, and base establishment were all urgent priorities for coalition commanders.

The sacrifices of Oklahoma National Guard soldiers in Iraq are captured poignantly in the story of Spc. Kyle Adam (Showler) Brinlee, who holds the tragic distinction of being the first Oklahoma National Guard casualty of both the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. Brinlee, who was 21 years old, was killed on May 11, 2004, by an improvised explosive device. His death came during a period when IEDs were becoming an increasingly devastating weapon used by insurgents against coalition forces, and his loss was felt deeply by the Oklahoma Guard community and the state as a whole.

The anniversary of American involvement in Iraq took on particular significance in 2013, as it marked ten years since the initial invasion. By then, the United States had formally ended its combat mission in Iraq in late 2011, making the anniversary a moment for reflection on the human cost of the conflict. Lt. Col. Ritter captured this reflective mood when she noted that "it's incredible to feel and see this kind of support especially after this war, 12 years into it," referring to the combined duration of American military involvement in both Iraq and Afghanistan since September 11, 2001.

The generational weight of that commitment — more than a decade of repeated deployments, casualties, and family separations — shaped the outlook of every soldier serving in the 120th Engineer Battalion as they looked toward their return home in mid-spring 2013. The unit's history in both Iraq and Afghanistan reflects the sustained sacrifice of Oklahoma's National Guard soldiers and the communities that supported them through years of conflict across two separate war zones on opposite sides of the world.