Courtesy Photo | U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar and Brig. Gen. Robert D. Carlson discuss the award...... read more read more
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BLOOMINGTON, Minn. – The 372nd Engineer Brigade received the Meritorious Unit Citation for completing 2,500 missions in Afghanistan and clearing 200,000 kilometers of roads from improvised explosive devices in a ceremony held in Bloomington, Minn., Saturday, Feb. 22, 2014.
From November 2009 to September 2010, approximately 1,500 members of the 372nd Engineer Brigade transformed Forward Operating Base Sharana from a minor tract of land of 700 acres serving 2,400 personnel to a fully-functional logistical operation base of 4,000 acres serving 9,000 personnel. The unit upgraded 40 forward operating bases in northern and eastern Afghanistan with 400 construction projects.
“It set the stage for the troop expansion and it's a great honor to be a part of this unit and receive this award,” said Col. Kurt Wagner, now the regional engineer chief of operations for the 88th RSC. Wagner deployed with the 372nd and served as the brigade’s chief of operations.
United States Senator Amy Klobuchar, Army Reserve Ambassador for Minnesota Thomas Haugo and 372nd Engineer Brigade Commander Brig. Gen. Robert D. Carlson attended the ceremony and presented the award.
“This is an incredible achievement that happens once in a generation,” said Carlson.
The Meritorious Unit Citation is rare. It recognizes military units
for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of duties for at least six continuous months during a period of military operations against an armed enemy. The 372nd was involved in training Afghan National Army engineer counterparts in nation building and preparing critical infrastructure for Afghanistan.
“They accomplished over a thousand combat missions during this period and brought everyone back safely,” said Carlson. Carlson went on to say that service members with the 372nd Engineer Brigade had multiple missions throughout much of Afghanistan and received the Meritorious Unit Citation for their exceptional efforts.
Soldiers who served with the brigade during the deployment are authorized to wear the Meritorious Unit Citation as a permanent award.
| Date Taken: | 02.22.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 02.23.2014 15:30 |
| Story ID: | 121011 |
| Location: | BLOOMINGTON, MINNESOTA, US |
| Web Views: | 1,342 |
| Downloads: | 2 |
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