An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Home : News : Article View
NEWS | March 12, 2007

875th Engineer Battalion Hits Milestone with 500th Find in Iraq

By Staff Sgt. Chris Durney 875th Engineer Battalion Public Affairs Office

Arkansas Guard Unit finds Success in Search for Improvised Explosive Devices

CAMP STRIKER, Iraq - Less than six months into a yearlong deployment to Iraq, the Arkansas Army National Guard's 875th Engineer Battalion has found and cleared its 500th improvised explosive device.

The 875th deployed to Iraq in late September 2006, and is tasked with a critical route clearance and route sanitation mission along a major military and Iraqi commerce artery in central Iraq. Staff Sgt. Adam Edmons of Floral, Ark., made the historic 500th find while on patrol Mar. 6, 2007, with 2nd Platoon, Alpha Company.

According to Capt. David Moore, Alpha Company commander, the 500th was significant, but the 499th was a more difficult find due to the way it was concealed. The sharp eyes of Sgt. Zachary Mullins, of Cherry Valley, Ark., were able to spot the dangerous roadside bomb before it could be detonated by terrorists.

Each of the IEDs were rendered harmless by an explosive ordinance detachment before the patrol continued on with a mission that lasted over eight hours. Alpha and Charlie Companies operate out of Logistics Support Area Anaconda, near Balad. The battalion headquarters and the 131st Engineer Company are located at Camp Striker, near Baghdad.

"We honor all of the 499 finds and clears that got us to 500," said Lt. Col. Patricia Anslow, 875th battalion commander," but we are especially proud of the 500th because it is a significant milestone in the battalion's fight against IEDs."

Over 400 Arkansas troops are deployed with the 875th, which is also made up of over 200 Soldiers from Vermont and Indiana Army National Guard units. The battalion mobilized in March, 2006, and is slated to return from Operation Iraqi Freedom in the fall.

 

 

Related Articles
The 111th Electromagnetic Warfare Company conducts training exercise, Operation Golden Corridor in Dahlonega, Georgia, August 15, 2025. Throughout the duration of the exercise, Soldiers simulated peer and near-peer electromagnetic warfare scenarios and enhance unit proficiency in spectrum mapping, RF detection, and alternative radar awareness capabilities under austere conditions.
Georgia Guard Company Leads in Electromagnetic Warfare Modernization
By | Aug. 27, 2025
DAHLONEGA, Ga. - The Georgia Army National Guard’s 111th Electromagnetic Warfare Company, based in Forest Park, Georgia, is rapidly establishing itself as a leader in the Army’s modernization efforts within the...

Soldiers from the 1st Battalion 182nd Infantry Regiment, Massachusetts Army National Guard, and the 1st Battalion 69th Infantry Regiment, New York Army National Guard, participated in the annual Logan-Duffy Shooting Match, August 21, 2025, at Fort Devens, Massachusetts. The history of the Logan Duffy Rifle Match goes back nearly 90 years to the first match, which was held in 1936.
Massachusetts, New York Guard Members Compete in Historic Logan-Duffy Rifle Competition
By Sgt. 1st Class Steven Eaton,   | Aug. 27, 2025
DEVENS, Mass. – Soldiers from the 1st Battalion, 182nd Infantry Regiment, Massachusetts Army National Guard, and the 1st Battalion, 69th Infantry Regiment, New York Army National Guard, participated in the annual Logan-Duffy...

An Alaska Air National Guard HH-60G Pave Hawk assigned to the 210th Rescue Squadron a real-world rescue operation at Point MacKenzie, Alaska, Sept. 1, 2022. After a Christen A-1 Husky crashed into a marsh, National Guardsmen rappelled and conducted a rescue operation, ensuring the aircraft was safely vacated. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Julia Lebens)
Alaska Air Guard Rescues Individual With Facial Laceration Near Knik Glacier
By Alejandro Pena, | Aug. 27, 2025
JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska — Alaska Air National Guard members with the 176th Wing rescued an individual with a facial laceration Aug. 25, about 40 miles northeast of Anchorage in the vicinity of Knik Glacier.The...