MULTI-NATIONAL DIVISION – BAGHDAD
Army engineers celebrate diversity
1st. Lt. Stephen Clements
46th ECB (H), 926th Eng. Bde., MND-B January 19, 2009
CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq – Many of today’s Soldiers are recent immigrants from nations in
Africa, and their diverse backgrounds and skills greatly contribute to the strength of
our nation.
In perhaps the most patriotic contribution possible, five Soldiers in the 46th Engineer
Combat Battalion (Heavy) came directly from African countries to serve their new
nation as a U.S. Army Soldier. Alongside their native born American brethren, they
are currently deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. In Iraq, the 46th
Engineer Battalion is attached to the 926th Engineer Brigade, Multi-National Division –
Baghdad.
Pfc. Lucky Ekupke, earthmoving platoon, 46th ECB (H), a native of Lagos, Nigeria, is in
his third year of service as a heavy equipment operator. A former student at New
York’s City Technical College, he lived in the South Bronx for ten years before
enlisting in the Army.
“I was inspired by my father’s time in the Boy Scouts and became interested in the
opportunities in military service,” state Ekupke. “Since joining I have taken part in
crater repair, route sanitation, and barrier emplacement missions while in Iraq.”
Pfc. Jacoba Vermeulen, combat medic, 46th ECB (H), a native of Kimberley, South
Africa, is in her second year of Army service and first tour in Iraq where she rolls out
as convoy medic in support of missions all over Baghdad.
Her family, now resides in Phoenix, Ariz., illustrates the diversity of the peoples of
Africa, being of Afrikaaner, or European lineage.
“My father served as a signal officer in the South African army for 18 years. I wanted
to follow in his footsteps so I joined the U.S. Army,” stated Pfc. Vermeulen. “I hope to
get accepted in the nursing program and become a commissioned officer in the
future.”
Pfc. Asteroids Lomotey, carpentry/masonry specialist, a native of Accra, Ghana, has
served over four years in the 46th ECB (H). There he attended the Mfantsipim
College, the alma mater of Kofi Annan, former Secretary General of the United
Nations.
Lomotey came to the United States at the age of 26, when he was awarded a visa
through the State Department’s Diversity Visa Program Lottery. Since joining the
military he has contributed to the construction of special-use buildings, Soldier’s
quarters and a desert outpost.
“I’ve always had aspirations for military service since I was a cadet in high school,
and so joined the U.S. Army less than a year after coming to the States,” stated
Lomotey. “This is my second tour in Iraq.”
Sgt. Kalaluka Nyumbu, combat medic, 46th ECB (H), a native of Lusaka, Zambia, now
residing in South Bend, Ind., has served in the Army for more than three years.
Nyumbu is Airborne-qualified, was declared Soldier of the Month, Quarter and Year
for the 46th ECB (Heavy). He serves as the medic for a special task force in Baghdad,
and has been awarded the Expert Medical Field Badge.
Nyumbu a Copper Belt University alumni, also won the State Department’s Diversity
Visa Lottery, and moved to the United States.
“I joined the U.S. Army soon after arriving stateside, both for the opportunity to
integrate into American society and to become a part of the greatest Army in the
world,” stated Nyumbu.
Sgt. Edgar Gufwoli, nuclear/biological/chemical noncommissioned officer, was born in
Boston, Mass., and raised in Kisumu, Kenya, near Lake Victoria. Gufwoli lived in
Kenya until he turned 17.
Gufwoli returned to the United States to attend the University of California-Davis,
where he earned his Bachelor’s of Science in Biochemistry.
“I worked for years in pharmaceutical research, but wanted to join the Army after
seeing the sacrifices the Soldiers were making to fight terrorism in the aftermath of
9/11,” declared Gufwoli.
Gufwoli has been contributing to the fight against terrorism for the last 2.5 years,
most recently as a member of a convoy security team for the 46th ECB (H).
Each of these Soldiers enjoys the teamwork of Army service and feel like both they
and their new country benefits from their commitment to serving the cause of
freedom.
Sgt. Nyumbu.
CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq – Sgt. Kalaluka Nyumbu, medic, 46th Engineer Combat Battalion
(Heavy), a native of Zambia, joined the U.S. Army to serve in the “greatest Army in
the world.” In Iraq, the 46th Engineer Battalion is attached to the 926th Engineer
Brigade, Multi-National Division – Baghdad.
(U.S. Photo by 1st Lt. Janeene Yarber, 46th ECB (H) PAO, 926th Eng. Bde., MND-B)
Pfc. Vermeulen.
CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq – Pfc. Aletta Vermeulen (standing), medic, 46th Engineer
Combat Battalion (Heavy), a native of Kimberley, South Africa, demonstrates the
proper way to insert an intra-venous needle during a combat life-savers
recertification course, in September 2008. Vermeulen states her father’s service in
the military inspired her to follow in his footsteps. In Iraq, the 46th Engineer Battalion
is attached to the 926th Engineer Brigade, Multi-National Division – Baghdad.
(U.S. Photo by Sgt. Micheal L’Italien, 46th ECB (H), 926th Eng. Bde., MND-B)
Pfc. Ekupke.
CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq – Capt. Sean Heenan (left), commander, Company A, 46th
Engineer Combat Battalion (Heavy), congratulates Pvt. Lucky Ekupke (right), heavy
equipment operator, a native of Lagos, Nigeria, during his promotion ceremony, Oct.
1, 2008. In Iraq, the 46th Engineer Battalion is attached to the 926th Engineer Brigade,
Multi-National Division – Baghdad.
(U.S. Photo by 1st Lt. Jordan Davis, 46th ECB (H) PAO, 926th Eng. Bde., MND-B)
Pfc. Lomotey.
CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq – Pfc. Asteroids Lomotey, a native of Accra, Ghana, who serves
as a carpentry and masonry specialist, 46th Engineer Combat Battalion (Heavy),
conducts a check of his vehicle before heading out on a convoy, Jan. 13. Lomotey is
currently serving his second tour to Iraq. In Iraq, the 46th Engineer Battalion is
attached to the 926th Engineer Brigade, Multi-National Division – Baghdad.
(U.S. Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Jasper Stallworth, 46th ECB (H), 926th Eng. Bde., MND-B)
Army engineers celebrate diversity
1st. Lt. Stephen Clements
46th ECB (H), 926th Eng. Bde., MND-B January 19, 2009
CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq – Many of today’s Soldiers are recent immigrants from nations in
Africa, and their diverse backgrounds and skills greatly contribute to the strength of
our nation.
In perhaps the most patriotic contribution possible, five Soldiers in the 46th Engineer
Combat Battalion (Heavy) came directly from African countries to serve their new
nation as a U.S. Army Soldier. Alongside their native born American brethren, they
are currently deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. In Iraq, the 46th
Engineer Battalion is attached to the 926th Engineer Brigade, Multi-National Division –
Baghdad.
Pfc. Lucky Ekupke, earthmoving platoon, 46th ECB (H), a native of Lagos, Nigeria, is in
his third year of service as a heavy equipment operator. A former student at New
York’s City Technical College, he lived in the South Bronx for ten years before
enlisting in the Army.
“I was inspired by my father’s time in the Boy Scouts and became interested in the
opportunities in military service,” state Ekupke. “Since joining I have taken part in
crater repair, route sanitation, and barrier emplacement missions while in Iraq.”
Pfc. Jacoba Vermeulen, combat medic, 46th ECB (H), a native of Kimberley, South
Africa, is in her second year of Army service and first tour in Iraq where she rolls out
as convoy medic in support of missions all over Baghdad.
Her family, now resides in Phoenix, Ariz., illustrates the diversity of the peoples of
Africa, being of Afrikaaner, or European lineage.
“My father served as a signal officer in the South African army for 18 years. I wanted
to follow in his footsteps so I joined the U.S. Army,” stated Pfc. Vermeulen. “I hope to
get accepted in the nursing program and become a commissioned officer in the
future.”
Pfc. Asteroids Lomotey, carpentry/masonry specialist, a native of Accra, Ghana, has
served over four years in the 46th ECB (H). There he attended the Mfantsipim
College, the alma mater of Kofi Annan, former Secretary General of the United
Nations.
Lomotey came to the United States at the age of 26, when he was awarded a visa
through the State Department’s Diversity Visa Program Lottery. Since joining the
military he has contributed to the construction of special-use buildings, Soldier’s
quarters and a desert outpost.
“I’ve always had aspirations for military service since I was a cadet in high school,
and so joined the U.S. Army less than a year after coming to the States,” stated
Lomotey. “This is my second tour in Iraq.”
Sgt. Kalaluka Nyumbu, combat medic, 46th ECB (H), a native of Lusaka, Zambia, now
residing in South Bend, Ind., has served in the Army for more than three years.
Nyumbu is Airborne-qualified, was declared Soldier of the Month, Quarter and Year
for the 46th ECB (Heavy). He serves as the medic for a special task force in Baghdad,
and has been awarded the Expert Medical Field Badge.
Nyumbu a Copper Belt University alumni, also won the State Department’s Diversity
Visa Lottery, and moved to the United States.
“I joined the U.S. Army soon after arriving stateside, both for the opportunity to
integrate into American society and to become a part of the greatest Army in the
world,” stated Nyumbu.
Sgt. Edgar Gufwoli, nuclear/biological/chemical noncommissioned officer, was born in
Boston, Mass., and raised in Kisumu, Kenya, near Lake Victoria. Gufwoli lived in
Kenya until he turned 17.
Gufwoli returned to the United States to attend the University of California-Davis,
where he earned his Bachelor’s of Science in Biochemistry.
“I worked for years in pharmaceutical research, but wanted to join the Army after
seeing the sacrifices the Soldiers were making to fight terrorism in the aftermath of
9/11,” declared Gufwoli.
Gufwoli has been contributing to the fight against terrorism for the last 2.5 years,
most recently as a member of a convoy security team for the 46th ECB (H).
Each of these Soldiers enjoys the teamwork of Army service and feel like both they
and their new country benefits from their commitment to serving the cause of
freedom.
Sgt. Nyumbu.
CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq – Sgt. Kalaluka Nyumbu, medic, 46th Engineer Combat Battalion
(Heavy), a native of Zambia, joined the U.S. Army to serve in the “greatest Army in
the world.” In Iraq, the 46th Engineer Battalion is attached to the 926th Engineer
Brigade, Multi-National Division – Baghdad.
(U.S. Photo by 1st Lt. Janeene Yarber, 46th ECB (H) PAO, 926th Eng. Bde., MND-B)
Pfc. Vermeulen.
CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq – Pfc. Aletta Vermeulen (standing), medic, 46th Engineer
Combat Battalion (Heavy), a native of Kimberley, South Africa, demonstrates the
proper way to insert an intra-venous needle during a combat life-savers
recertification course, in September 2008. Vermeulen states her father’s service in
the military inspired her to follow in his footsteps. In Iraq, the 46th Engineer Battalion
is attached to the 926th Engineer Brigade, Multi-National Division – Baghdad.
(U.S. Photo by Sgt. Micheal L’Italien, 46th ECB (H), 926th Eng. Bde., MND-B)
Pfc. Ekupke.
CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq – Capt. Sean Heenan (left), commander, Company A, 46th
Engineer Combat Battalion (Heavy), congratulates Pvt. Lucky Ekupke (right), heavy
equipment operator, a native of Lagos, Nigeria, during his promotion ceremony, Oct.
1, 2008. In Iraq, the 46th Engineer Battalion is attached to the 926th Engineer Brigade,
Multi-National Division – Baghdad.
(U.S. Photo by 1st Lt. Jordan Davis, 46th ECB (H) PAO, 926th Eng. Bde., MND-B)
Pfc. Lomotey.
CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq – Pfc. Asteroids Lomotey, a native of Accra, Ghana, who serves
as a carpentry and masonry specialist, 46th Engineer Combat Battalion (Heavy),
conducts a check of his vehicle before heading out on a convoy, Jan. 13. Lomotey is
currently serving his second tour to Iraq. In Iraq, the 46th Engineer Battalion is
attached to the 926th Engineer Brigade, Multi-National Division – Baghdad.
(U.S. Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Jasper Stallworth, 46th ECB (H), 926th Eng. Bde., MND-B)
