203rd BSB welcomes new company commander

Photo By Sgt. Natalie Loucks | Capt. Jeremy Brown, from Vincent, Ohio, Headquarters Company, 203rd Brigade Support Battalion, shakes the hand of Capt. Fenicia Jackson, from Hartsville, S.C., after she relinquished command of Company A, 203rd BSB during a change of command ceremony Dec. 3 at Forward Operating Base Hammer, Iraq.  

FORWARD OPERATING BASE HAMMER, IRAQ

12.06.2007

Story by Sgt. Natalie Loucks 

3rd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division

By Sgt. Natalie Rostek
3rd Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs

FORWARD OPERATING BASE HAMMER, Iraq – Soldiers from Company A, 203rd Brigade Support Battalion, welcomed a new company commander while bidding farewell to another Dec. 3 at Forward Operating Base Hammer.

Capt. Fenicia Jackson, from Hartsville, S.C., relinquished command of Company A to Capt. Emanuel Valez, from Arecibo, Puerto Rico, in a ceremony held at FOB Hammer's supply support activity area.

After the formal ceremony was complete, Lt. Col. Kelly Lawler, from Monticello, N.Y., commander of the 203rd BSB, spoke in high regards about Company A.

"You all should be proud of yourself," he said. "You are truly heroes of today's Army. You are warriors and professional logisticians."

Lawler described Jackson as an Eagle Hall of Fame logistical linebacker.

"Capt. Jackson's motivation and tough love leadership style always took care of the Soldiers and families of the great Outlaw (Company A) team."

The ceremony was bittersweet for Jackson, a medical service officer who took command of Company A during the unit's deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom III.

"It's been a long, challenging journey from OIF III to OIF V," she said. "This has been the best experience of my military career."

Jackson also addressed Valez, the incoming commander.

"You are inheriting a great organization who welcomes you with open arms," she told Valez. "They will go to the ends of the earth if you ask them to."

Jackson's awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, the Army Commendation Medal with four oak leaf clusters, the Army Achievement Medal with three oak leaf clusters, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean National Defense Service Medal, both the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary and Service Medals, the Expert Field Medical Badge, the Parachutist Badge, the Air Assault Badge, and the Combat Action Badge.

Co. A, 203rd BSB, is assigned to the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division and has been deployed in support of OIF V since March.

• Date Taken: 12.06.2007
• Date Posted: 12.06.2007 13:16
• Story ID: 14478
• Location: FORWARD OPERATING BASE HAMMER, IQ