http://www.mvd.usace.army.mil/579festm The Official RSS Feed for the FEST-M en-us http://www.mvd.usace.army.mil/579festm/rss.jpg http://www.mvd.usace.army.mil/579festm 90 96 http://www.mvd.usace.army.mil/579festm/pressroom/2011/pressrelease/072011_fest-m_welcomes_new_command_sergeant_major.htm VICKSBURG, Miss. (July 20, 2011) – A new Command Sergeant Major for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is in town and he is ready to put field force engineering on the map. Command Sgt. Maj. Karl J. Groninger takes over as the Command Sergeant Major of the 579th Engineer Detachment (Forward Engineer Support Team - Main), an active duty Army unit comprised of Soldiers and civilians. The unique engineering team based out of Mississippi recently returned from a 12-month deployment to Afghanistan. http://www.mvd.usace.army.mil/579festm/pressroom/2011/mediaadvisory/051111retirementceremony.htm VICKSBURG, Miss. (May 11, 2011) – A Soldier stationed in Vicksburg, Miss. with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will be retiring after 35 years of service to the United States Army, and will be honored during an official ceremony and luncheon. Command Sgt. Maj. Harry L. Collins, originally from Scooba, Miss., recently completed a year-long tour in Afghanistan as the senior enlisted advisor for the 579th Engineer Detachment (Forward Engineer Support Team - Main). http://www.mvd.usace.army.mil/579festm/pressroom/2011/headlinenews/040811_fest-m_conducts_transfer_of_authority_ceremony_in_afghanistan.htm KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan (April 8, 2011) – Last year around this time, a group of Soldiers and Civilians cased its unit colors in preparation for deployment overseas. The same U.S. Army team performed the casing procedures once again. But this time it's headed back home to America after completing its engineering mission in Afghanistan. The 579th Engineer Detachment (Forward Engineer Support Team - Main) transferred responsibilities to the 533rd Engineer Detachment (FEST-M) during a ceremony here yesterday. http://www.mvd.usace.army.mil/579festm/pressroom/2011/headlinenews/022711_fest-m_fights_flooding_in_the_desert.htm KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan (Feb. 27, 2011) – They were happy with the result. They were proud of what they accomplished. More importantly, a group of engineers helped their own grounds flow a little bit smoother yesterday by removing a staggering amount of trash clogging their drainage project. http://www.mvd.usace.army.mil/579festm/pressroom/2011/headlinenews/022611_fest-m_training_day_helps_prepare_for_return_home.htm KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan (Feb. 26, 2011) – With redeployment only a few months away, unit members gathered in a small classroom and went back to basics by relearning some of the necessary skills needed to succeed in the workplace and back home. The 579th Engineer Detachment (Forward Engineer Support Team - Main) completed annual training requirements yesterday to better prepare its Soldiers and Civilians to reintegrate from Afghanistan to the United States. http://www.mvd.usace.army.mil/579festm/pressroom/2011/headlinenews/021111_usace_chief_says_farewell_to_engineers_in_afghanistan.htm KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan (Feb. 11, 2011) – Lt. Gen. Robert L. Van Antwerp, or “General Van,” as he is affectionately known throughout the Corps, visited Afghanistan for the last time yesterday as the Army’s top engineer after 39 years of service. Members of the 579th Engineer Detachment (Forward Engineer Support Team - Main) and Afghanistan Engineer District – South hanged on Van Antwerp’s words as he discussed the state of the Corps of Engineers, and the strides it has made, especially in Afghanistan. http://www.mvd.usace.army.mil/579festm/pressroom/2011/headlinenews/020411_engineers_in_afghanistan_show_safety_matters.htm KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan (Feb. 4, 2011) – The 579th Engineer Detachment (FEST-M) gathered for a unit safety stand-down day, and received certificates and award items in recognition of maintaining a zero-accident record during the unit’s deployment to Afghanistan. http://www.mvd.usace.army.mil/579festm/pressroom/2011/headlinenews/013011_engineer_general_visits_fest-m_in_afghanistan.htm KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan (Jan. 30, 2011) – Brig. Gen. Mark W. Yenter traveled from his headquarters office in the northern city of Kabul to the southern province of Kandahar to provide the 579th Engineer Detachment (FEST-M) with an update on the development of engineering in Afghanistan during a Town Hall Meeting. He also thanked the FEST-M for all of its hard work and dedication to the engineering mission. http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=873014E2D7E54D41 KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – Soldiers and Civilians of the 579th Engineer Detachment (FEST-M) offer the Army's warmest holiday wishes to Family and Friends back home. http://www.mvd.usace.army.mil/579festm/pressroom/2010/headlinenews/121710_fest-m_soldier_sees_stars_during_uso_event.htm KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan (Dec. 17, 2010) – A FEST-M Soldier met and took pictures with seven-time Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong, actor and comedian Robin Williams, comedian Kathleen Madigan, Grammy award-winning comedian Lewis Black, country music star Leon “Kix” Brooks, and Hall of Fame songwriter Bob DiPiero. http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=BEF09B51B9AF92C3 KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – View a collection of videos from the team of Soldiers and Civilians of the 579th Engineer Detachment (FEST-M) as they wish their family and friends back home a happy Thanksgiving all the way from Afghanistan. http://www.mvd.usace.army.mil/579festm/pressroom/2010/headlinenews/111210comkaffloodsengineerswithcommendations.htm KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan (Nov. 12, 2010) – Eight members of the 579th Engineer Detachment (FEST-M) received the Commander of Kandahar Airfield (COMKAF) Commendation during a private ceremony held last night in Afghanistan. Air Commodore Gordon Moulds, COMKAF, presented the award to the deployed FEST-M members for their hard work and dedication towards a technical engineering project completed for Kandahar Airfield. http://www.mvd.usace.army.mil/579festm/pressroom/2010/headlinenews/103010festmshowstruecolorsinafghanistan.htm KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan (Oct. 30, 2010) – In front of the Kandahar International Airport you will see many flags flying. One of them is the Canadian flag. Another is the Afghan flag. And you’ll also find the American flag. But if you stopped by the Kandahar airport yesterday, you may have noticed another flag. Not as dominating as the others. Not as colorful as most. Not as recognizable as you can imagine. http://www.mvd.usace.army.mil/579festm/pressroom/2010/headlinenews/102410koolrunningthroughafghanistan.htm KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan (Oct. 24, 2010) – What do you get when you have a coalition member, a ten-mile race, and a tight boarding time for a flight? Give up? What you get is one nervous runner in Afghanistan. It was a cold Saturday morning for Scott Kool. But this wasn’t just any Saturday. On this particular day he was tasked with a mission in which he needed to catch a flight. He had also decided to run a ten-mile race before boarding. http://www.mvd.usace.army.mil/579festm/pressroom/2010/headlinenews/091910kandaharschoolchildrenwelcomeengineers.htm KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan (Sept. 19, 2010) – A Kandahar school welcomes deployed personnel through its doors every Saturday morning. But this isn’t a place for them to sign up for a class to earn college credit. This is an opportunity for them to interact with children of Afghanistan. http://www.mvd.usace.army.mil/579festm/pressroom/2010/headlinenews/081810usacechiefvisitsfestminafghanistan.htm KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan (Aug. 18, 2010) – The Army's top engineer made a trip here yesterday and addressed a team of deployed engineers. Lt. Gen. Robert L. Van Antwerp, U.S. Army chief of engineers and commanding general of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, discussed what engineers are accomplishing all over the world, and thanked the 579th Engineer Detachment (Forward Engineer Support Team - Main) for all they do in Afghanistan. http://www.mvd.usace.army.mil/579festm/pressroom/2010/headlinenews/081410engineergrouptakesbreakinmiddleast.htm KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan (Aug. 14, 2010) – A team of deployed Civilians and Soldiers participated in a social event here in the desert yesterday. After more than three months of a year-long deployment, the 579th Engineer Detachment (Forward Engineer Support Team - Main) introduced new members, said goodbye to another, and awarded certificates to individuals during the occasion. http://www.mvd.usace.army.mil/579festm/pressroom/2010/headlinenews/080910usaceteamredesignscounterinsurgencytacticsinafghanistan.htm KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan (Aug. 9, 2010) – A blend of civilian and military members in an Active Duty U.S. Army unit are proving to be a relevant force to battle insurgents in Afghanistan. But not in the typical “battle” sense accustomed to war doctrine. These Department of the Army Civilians aren’t providing security for convoys. These U.S. Army Soldiers aren’t raiding enemy hideouts. This hybrid field force engineering team is helping bring stability to the city of Kandahar through a counterinsurgency (COIN) effort, which aims to protect local residents from insurgents and provide Afghans with a functioning society focused on development and governance. http://www.mvd.usace.army.mil/579festm/pressroom/2010/headlinenews/071810festmengineerslockontotargetsduringuavtour.htm KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan (July 18, 2010) – There were no trains and there were no automobiles anywhere in sight. But a group of Army engineers stationed in Afghanistan got up close and personal with plenty of planes during a recent Air Force tour. Members of the 579th Engineer Detachment (Forward Engineer Support Team - Main) were on cloud nine yesterday as they visited the 62nd Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron facilities here to learn about the many types of aircraft used within the airspace of Afghanistan. http://www.mvd.usace.army.mil/579festm/pressroom/2010/headlinenews/071310theresnoplacelikehomeforusaceengineer.htm KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan (July 13, 2010) – He must have clicked his heels only twice because he didn’t quite make it back to his home country of Pakistan. But he did manage his way to the neighboring nation of Afghanistan. M. Javed Ahmed, highway engineer for the 579th Engineer Detachment (Forward Engineer Support Team - Main), is stationed at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, where he designs roads and buildings for the people of Afghanistan. Yesterday afternoon, he took the time to improve his teammates’ understanding of the country they are trying to aid. http://www.mvd.usace.army.mil/579festm/pressroom/2010/headlinenews/063010intelanalystsaysgoodbye.htm CAMP PHOENIX, Afghanistan (June 30, 2010) – Do you know the guy who produces intelligence reports at Headquarters, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers? Do you know the person who processed and distributed strategic and tactical intel reports while you were on a field exercise in South Korea? Do you know the man who accessed and analyzed timely intel that protected the Soldiers and Civilians of the 579th Engineer Detachment (Forward Engineer Support Team - Main) while deployed to Afghanistan? Well his name is Winston. Jack Winston. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B9rg6rBbYsk Members of the team describe their moments in fatherhood, and others give a Father's Day shout out to their loved ones. The 579th Enigneer Detachment (FEST-M) is currently deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. http://www.mvd.usace.army.mil/579festm/pressroom/2010/headlinenews/051710counterinsurgency.htm CAMP JULIEN, Afghanistan (May 17, 2010) – As the fictitious representative of the Coalition Forces, 1st Lt. Jungsang Yoon, factual intelligence officer for the 579th Engineer Detachment (Forward Engineer Support Team - Main), and his fellow team members, participated in a 3-day Counterinsurgency (COIN) course, from May 14 to 16, designed to increase the understanding of Afghanistan and the insurgency. http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=2F72CEFB1FC7EA59 Watch the the Soldiers and Civilians of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 579th Engineer Detachment (FEST-M), as they send warm greetings to Mothers all across the globe through their video messages. http://www.mvd.usace.army.mil/579festm/pressroom/2010/headlinenews/040310deploymentceremony.htm VICKSBURG, Miss. (April 3, 2010) – A U.S. Army Corps of Engineers deployable detachment cased its colors yesterday as it prepared for movement to Afghanistan. The Soldiers and Civilians of the 579th Engineer Detachment (Forward Engineer Support Team - Main) were honored by family, friends and the Vicksburg community during a deployment ceremony here in front of the Vicksburg District building. Other U.S. Army organizations, including the Mississippi Valley Division, Vicksburg District, Engineer Research and Development Center, and the 412th Theater Engineer Command gathered to pay tribute and send off the team. http://www.mvd.usace.army.mil/579festm/pressroom/2010/mediaadvisory/031910deploymentceremony.htm WHAT: The 579th Engineer Detachment (Forward Engineer Support Team - Main), a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers field force engineering unit consisting of Soldiers and Civilians, will be honored before setting off for a year-long deployment to Afghanistan. Friends and family of the FEST-M, and other U.S. Army organizations, including the Mississippi Valley Division, Vicksburg District, Engineer Research and Development Center, and the 412th Theater Engineer Command, will gather to pay tribute and send off the detachment. Photo Opportunity: HMMWVs and a static display consisting of gear and equipment that will deploy with the FEST-M will be on hand before and after the ceremony. Media interested in attending the Deployment Ceremony need to contact the 579th Engineer Detachment (FEST-M) Public Affairs Officer by Thursday, April 1, in order to be placed on the Media List. Check-in time will be from 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. on April 2 in front of the Vicksburg District Building. http://www.mvd.usace.army.mil/579festm/pressroom/2010/pressrelease/030810commander.htm VICKSBURG, Miss. (Mar. 8, 2010) – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ field force engineering team based here welcomed a new commander to its unit. Col. Richard W. Dean II assumed command of the 579th Engineer Detachment (Forward Engineer Support Team - Main) as it prepares for future military contingencies and disaster relief operations. As the FEST-M commander, Dean will deliver USACE support to combat, stability and disaster operations through forward deployed and reachback capabilities. He will be in charge of a $3.5 million budget, and will lead a combined military and civilian work force in design, construction and project management. http://www.mvd.usace.army.mil/579festm/pressroom/2010/headlinenews/021110combatlifesaver.htm VICKSBURG, Miss. (Feb. 11, 2010) – Medic! I need a medic! These are words you may have heard in the movies, but certainly not words you want someone calling out for you in real life. What if there was no combat medic nearby? What if all you had was your battle buddy whose specialty was being an engineer? What could he or she do for you? Army figures show that severe bleeding from an arm or leg, tension pneumothorax, and airway obstruction continue to be the most preventable causes of death in modern combat. If this is the case, it is imperative that your battle buddy have some type of training to provide immediate care that can save your life. http://www.mvd.usace.army.mil/579festm/intac/index.htm The FEST-M team learned the characteristics of terrorism, how to properly shoot weapons, the culture of the Middle East, and defensive driving techniques during their weeklong training. http://www.mvd.usace.army.mil/579festm/intac/specialpart/five.htm WINCHESTER, Va. (Jan. 30, 2010) – The biggest concern people may have when driving to work is being on time. For military units deployed overseas, punctuality is the least of their worries. They face dangers unlike any other when placed behind the wheel of a vehicle. Whether an explosive device is placed inside of their car to a roadside bomb waiting to be detonated on a stretch of the road, drivers need a special set of skills that can’t be taught in a high school driver’s education class. It’s the mentality of chess-like maneuvers that prove most valuable to drivers. http://www.mvd.usace.army.mil/579festm/intac/specialpart/four.htm WINCHESTER, Va. (Jan. 28, 2010) – Members of an Army unit stationed in Mississippi continued its training to better prepare for worldwide deployments. The 579th Engineer Detachment (Forward Engineer Support Team - Main) spent the past two days learning more about terrorism from a global perspective and domestic outlook during their weeklong Individual Training Awareness Class (INTAC). “International terrorist groups are not a part of domestic terrorism,” said course instructor Chris Kozlow, who taught the domestic portion of the class. http://www.mvd.usace.army.mil/579festm/intac/specialpart/three.htm WINCHESTER, Va. (Jan. 26, 2010) – A well-known professor in military circles instructed an Army unit about Middle Eastern culture yesterday to better prepare its Soldiers and Civilians for deployment overseas. Dr. Michael Izady helped the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 579th Engineer Detachment (Forward Engineer Support Team - Main) learn about Afghanistan and its surrounding countries. He focused on the history, customs, religion, geography and tribalism of the area as part of his curriculum during the weeklong Individual Terrorism Awareness Class training. “Well it is the intention of the program to give you some familiarity,” Izady said. “With the human terrain of the area, get to know the people, their culture, to realize they are human beings like you and that you are there to help them and not to actually defeat them, occupy their country, and leave.” http://www.mvd.usace.army.mil/579festm/intac/specialpart/two.htm WINCHESTER, Va. (Jan. 25, 2010) – As an architect, Alfonso Santa is used to sketching plans on paper, so his teammates would forgive him if drawing a weapon from his holster looked a bit awkward. Little did they know, and perhaps even Santa himself, that he was a natural born gunslinger. He and the 579th Engineer Detachment (Forward Engineer Support Team - Main) conducted firearms training at the BSR, Inc. firing range yesterday as part of its weeklong Army Individual Training Awareness Class training. On the cold, wet day, Santa and the FEST-M began with a weapons familiarization and shooting techniques training in the classroom. They learned to use the Beretta 92F handgun most of the day, and would also shoot the AK-47, M4 carbine, and a shotgun to conclude their weapons training. http://www.mvd.usace.army.mil/579festm/intac/specialpart/one.htm WINCHESTER, Va. (Jan. 24, 2010) – Team members were on edge as they spotted suspicious activity along their route to a checkpoint. Three vehicles along various intersections and possible chokepoints appeared to be surveying and planning attacks on the line of vehicles. As the team arrived back to its base location, those same vehicles ambushed the team in its own parking lot yesterday evening as part of an Army training exercise in anti-terrorism. Members of the 579th Engineer Detachment (Forward Engineer Support Team - Main) began its weeklong training of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Dynamics of International Terrorism Program, an Army Individual Terrorism Awareness Class (INTAC) here yesterday. The FEST-M and various Department of Defense personnel’s first day of training consisted of classes introducing them to terrorism awareness, and conducting a route analysis and surveillance detection exercise. http://www.mvd.usace.army.mil/579festm/pressroom/2010/headlinenews/012010sciencefair.htm VICKSBURG, Miss. (Jan. 20, 2010) – Not an engineer or even a scientist by trade, Ocie Williams leaped at the chance to become a science fair judge to support students of the Vicksburg community. Williams judged over 130 entries to support the St. Francis Xavier Elementary School Science Fair last Friday, Jan. 15. Kindergarteners through sixth graders put him and five other Mississippi Valley Division members to the test in deciding whose project showed the most promise in the field of science. Along with Williams, fellow 579th Engineer Detachment (Forward Engineer Support Team - Main) member, Billy Stewart, and Mississippi Valley Division employees Ann Bargains, Becky Brown, Don Cool, and James Gutshall participated as judges during the school’s science fair. http://www.mvd.usace.army.mil/579festm/pressroom/2010/headlinenews/011210farewellceremony.htm VICKSBURG, Miss. (Jan. 12, 2010) – A U.S. Army active unit based in Vicksburg held an award ceremony for a departing Soldier honoring his time as the first assigned member since its two-year reactivation. Maj. Sean Powell, executive officer for the 579th Engineer Detachment (Forward Engineer Support Team - Main), received a send-off from his unit during the ceremony inside the FEST-M office. Powell was a leading force in the development of the unit. http://www.mvd.usace.army.mil/579festm/pressroom/2010/pressrelease/010510newwebsite.htm VICKSBURG, Miss. (Jan. 5, 2010) – The 579th Engineer Detachment (FEST-M), a flexible team capable of rapidly deploying into disaster relief operations and military contingencies, launched an official unit website and fan page on Facebook. The website features stories, photos and information regarding the reactivated unit’s functions as it prepares for global support. “Having the unit on the web is a great opportunity for everyone to learn more about the team,” said Lt. Col. Sam Jaynes, commander, 579th Engineer Detachment (FEST-M). “Our online presence allows the public to get accustomed to our physical presence here in Vicksburg, Miss.” http://www.mvd.usace.army.mil/579festm/pressroom/2009/headlinenews/121709holidayparty.htm VICKSBURG, Miss. (Dec. 17, 2009) – The 579th Engineer Detachment (FEST-M) and its family members took a break from daily operations and held their holiday luncheon yesterday here at the unit office inside the Vicksburg District building. This was the first unit function since the unit’s reactivation in late 2007. “I’m happy to see us all together during this time of the year, especially when we have all the training to prepare for our upcoming overseas contingency operation,” said Lt. Col. Sam Jaynes, commander of the 579th Engineer Detachment (FEST-M). “It takes a special kind of person to get ready and go do what we’re going to do. Not everyone can do it.” http://www.mvd.usace.army.mil/579festm/pressroom/2009/headlinenews/120909ffetrainingpage1.htm MOBILE, Ala. (Dec. 9, 2009) – Forward Engineer Support Teams situated throughout the divisions of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers trained at the Readiness Support Center here on Dec. 1 to 8 to better support disaster relief operations and the warfighting. The teams divided itself into groups for various lessons, which included base camp development, bridge reconnaissance, and reachback operations procedures. Getting over the bridge was not going to be difficult for Capt. Willie Hutchinson and his team members of the 579th Engineer Detachment (FEST-M). It was what they were planning to do afterwards that would be a defining moment as a field force engineering team. http://www.mvd.usace.army.mil/579festm/pressroom/2009/headlinenews/112309ta50issue.htm FORT POLK, La. (Nov. 23, 2009) – Usually when stationed on an Army post, you can drive to your local Clothing Issue Facility within 10 to 15 minutes. For Civilians of the 579th Engineer Detachment (Forward Engineer Support Team - Main) stationed in Vicksburg, Miss., there is no local CIF, so they made the five-plus hour drive to Fort Polk, La. for their tactical gear last Friday, Nov. 20. Unit members received over 35 pieces of equipment, including wet weather gear, a sleeping bag, a flak vest, an entrenching tool, knee and elbow pads, the Modular Lightweight Load-carrying Equipment (MOLLE), and a whole hand receipt list of other items that fit into their issued duffle bag and ruck sack. http://www.mvd.usace.army.mil/579festm/pressroom/2009/headlinenews/111609matsinkingunit.htm VICKSBURG, Miss. (Nov. 16, 2009) – When new employees of the 579th Engineer Detachment (Forward Engineer Support Team - Main) are hired, they are aware of the situations facing their new employment. They can be sent someplace across the nation to anywhere around the world. For one FEST-M engineer, he never imagined that he would end up on a barge along the Mississippi River. For the past month, Roman Bieniek, the FEST-M mechanical engineer, was selected for duty with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Vicksburg District, Mat Sinking Unit, which lays mats to protect the banks of the river from further erosion, get it back to a stable slope, and then over time have the vegetation reestablish itself and turn back into a natural condition and still be stable from the revetment. http://www.mvd.usace.army.mil/579festm/pressroom/2009/headlinenews/111309eeotraining.htm VICKSBURG, Miss. (Nov. 13, 2009) – Sometimes providing the correct question is the right answer, especially when it comes to learning more about the Department of the Army Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) program. Vicksburg District employees and 579th Engineer Detachment (FEST-M) members filled the Vicksburg District Multi-Purpose Conference Room on Nov. 12, 2009, to learn more about the EEO program. Filmed in front of a live conference room audience, the EEO office arranged for a game of Jeopardy with EEO topics. The contestants were comprised of supervisors and junior employees, the former having Maj. Sean Powell, executive officer for the 579th Engineer Detachment (FEST-M), on its team. http://www.mvd.usace.army.mil/579festm/pressroom/2009/headlinenews/110609lifeinthemilitary.htm VICKSBURG, Miss. (Nov. 6, 2009) – With his uniform neatly pressed, medals proudly displayed, and shoes lightly shined, the Army captain looked over his slides just before it was time to give his presentation. As he glanced up to survey the room, the students’ eyes darted at him waiting for his next move. Unnerved, he stood at ease ready to speak about his experiences in the military and how it relates to everyday life. Capt. Willie Hutchinson, signal officer for the 579th Engineer Detachment (FEST-M), helped commemorate Veterans Day by speaking with Vicksburg High School students about the physics of field artillery and Afghan culture at their school, on Nov. 5. http://www.mvd.usace.army.mil/579festm/pressroom/2009/mediaadvisory/110409lifeinthemilitary.htm WHAT: To commemorate Veterans Day, a U.S. Army Captain stationed in Vicksburg will speak with Vicksburg High School students about the physics of field artillery and his experiences of living overseas while deployed. Media interested in attending should contact the 579th Engineer Detachment (FEST-M) PAO to meet in front of Vicksburg High School at 8:45 a.m. http://www.mvd.usace.army.mil/579festm/pressroom/2009/pressrelease/100709festmupdate.htm VICKSBURG, Miss. (Oct. 7, 2009) – The 579th Engineer Detachment (Forward Engineer Support Team – Main) is quickly integrating new members to become part of the team capable of rapidly deploying in support of local, national and global disaster relief and operations. The reactivated unit has seamlessly been able to plug itself into the Mississippi Valley Division and fill positions through extensive efforts to recruit personnel with a high level of engineering skill and technological expertise. While the 579th Engineer Detachment (FEST-M) falls under Division, it is physically located in the Vicksburg District in Suite 120. Employees of the District may not remember how the old Suite looks because of its extreme makeover. What started out as bare floors has become a fully operational center capable of staffing 36 personnel ranging from engineers to supply technicians and communications specialists to human resource specialists.