April was a busy month that saw additional missions working with the Iraqi Intervention Forces (IIF) in order to continue to train them and to develop a strong tactical relationship. Most notably, during OPERATION CASABLANCA, the Sappers of Charlie Rock conducted a cordon and search in Khaldiyah using two platoons of Sappers working alongside one platoon from the 3rd Battalion, 2nd Brigade, 1st Iraqi Army Division. Although US advisors were still present with the Iraqi units, they performed well and they continued to provide the "human" element to these missions by presenting an Iraqi face to their fellow countrymen. We look forward to continuing to strengthen our working relationship with them and to conducting many more operations together in the future. The company also played a key role in raids and cache sweeps with the Currahees of TF 1-506th IN, while also conducting several company-level cache sweeps to continue to deplete the resources of the enemy in the local area. A significant amount of work was also accomplished on Camps Habbaniyah, Corregidor, and Combat Outpost with a great amount of that being accomplished thanks to the assets from the 1st Platoon, 82nd Combat Support Equipment (CSE) that were attached to the company in March. After months of painfully bumpy rides and several vehicle deadlines due to the unforgiving terrain, the West Gate Road was finally upgraded, while an entire new "low road" was also constructed for everyone's riding pleasure. On a personal note, I was able to enjoy mid-tour leave for the first part of April, reluctantly leaving the company in the capable, but mischievous, hands of 1LT Walsh. I did get back in time to witness the Change of Responsibility ceremony between 1SG Etter and 1SG White. After nearly two years as the senior NCO of Charlie Rock, 1SG Etter leaves us for the less comfortable confines of the battalion S3 shop. Sadly, we say good-bye and wish 1SG Etter the best at battalion. At the same time, we are proud to welcome 1SG White to our ranks and look forward to having him as a big part of our family. Finally, maybe it's the fact that we're moving down the home stretch of the deployment, or maybe it's for the love of the Army, or maybe it's the extra chlorine in the water... OR MAYBE it's just the lure of a big chunk of tax free money, but I'm proud to say that we had 12 Sappers re-enlist in the month of April. SSG Lambert, SSG Lee, and SGT Maddox promise me that the numbers will be even higher in May. I have agreed to serve a second consecutive tour in Iraq if this holds true!