ST. LOUIS – Veterans Day is a time to give thanks to those who have served in defense of our country and those who continue to serve.
Here in the 648th Regional Support Group, the experiences of the soldiers of the 648th vary in mobilizations, deployments, and missions both at home and abroad
“We were making sure routes were cleared,” said Capt. Ramon Gill, commander, 648th Regional Support Group.
During the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, roadside improvised explosive devices created a daily threat to convoy and logistical operations, and soldiers were needed to ensure the roads were clear.
Gill was deployed to Iraq with the Army, but also deployed on the USS Abraham Lincoln working in aviation ordinance while in the
Navy in the 90s, he said.
War zone operations aren't the only important jobs during
overseas conflicts.
In the beginning of combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, soldiers were needed to build up areas quickly to prepare for protracted combat. Facilities for supplies and vehicles were needed quickly and efficiently.
“It was critical they had the facilities (for combat),” said Warrant Officer Mark Panozzo, officer in charge of S6 operations, 648th RSG.
During his deployment to Kuwait, Panozzo was assigned as an escort for local national contractors to build up the Ali Al Salem Air Base, he said. In just a few months, the base went from housing 2000 American troops to 14,000.
“It was an integral part of combat operations,” Panozzo said.
It's not just overseas deployments that are important. Soldiers are needed back in the states too.
“To know what the Soldiers need to be trained on, you have to get out there,” said Sgt. 1St Class Floyd Glasco, noncommissioned officer in charge of the engineering section, 648th RSG.
Glasco mobilized to Ft. McCoy, Wisconsin, in 2003 to help train soldiers going overseas. He would make sure every unit coming through for training was ready to deploy overseas, he said.
Training was based on a mix from 'Big Army' and lessons learned from Soldiers returning from deployments, he said. He made sure to keep in touch with training missions so everyone deployed overseas would be fully mission capable.
Deployments are hard on soldiers and their families, but are important for the United States and the rest of the world.
“Soldiers deploy in support of our democracy,” Gill said. “They need to deploy to make the world a better place.”
The 648th has many soldiers who have deployed in support of the defense of freedom around the world, and many more eager to do their part. This Veterans Day, we honor all our past, present and future heroes.
| Date Taken: | 11.10.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 11.10.2014 09:12 |
| Story ID: | 147474 |
| Location: | ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, US |
| Web Views: | 102 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Celebrating the members of the 648th who have served, by SSG Francis Horton, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
