TF 1-148 Field Artillery holds first combat dining-in at FOB Warrior, Iraq

Courtesy Photo | The 42nd Division Artillery Commander Col. Eugene Dever (far left, partially covered) and Task Force 1-148 Field Artillery Commander Lt. Col. Russell Johnson (left) present Order of Saint Barbara Awards to TF 1-148 Field Artillery Soldiers during the unit's first-ever combat dining-in event Sept. 2 at the Forward Operating Base Warrior dining facility. (Photo by Spc. Benjamin Brubaker, TF 1-148 Field Artillery)  

KIRKUK, IRAQ

09.08.2005

Courtesy Story

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FOB WARRIOR, Iraq -- The 116th Brigade Combat Team's Task Force 1-148 Field Artillery conducted its first ever combat dining-in event September 2 at Forward Operating Base Warrior to honor both soldiers and traditions.

The event upheld a long-standing field artillery tradition and recognized 25 TF 1-148 FA Soldiers who received Order of Saint Barbara Awards. Lt. Col. John Worster, 116th BCT chaplain and formerly TF 1-148 FA chaplain for almost fifteen years was the keynote speaker for the dining-in.

Worster talked about what this deployment means to him, citing various examples throughout his lifetime during the United States" various eras of warfare. He said he has enjoyed the blanket of freedom and protection offered by the sacrifices of America's soldiers, and now the time has come for him to 'take his turn" in combat to protect his nation.

The time-honored field artillery tradition of "The Grog" was observed, as were the various toasts by members of the mess. Several unit soldiers were nominated to partake of the Grog, to include TF 1-148 FA Command Sgt. Maj. William Green, TF 1-148 FA Howitzer Battery 1st Sgt. Michael Merlette, 116th BCT Fire Support Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) Sgt. 1st Class Steve Hafner, and Staff Sgt. Ted Hansen, a TF 1-148 FA headquarters battery NCO.

During the event, attendees enjoyed a presentation by members of TF 1-148 FA's Raider Combat Logistical Patrol Team who compiled hundreds of pictures and videos into a movie that played on a large projection screen.

Distinguished guests in attendance included 116th BCT Commander Brig. Gen. Alan Gayhart, 116th BCT Command Sgt. Maj. Leroy Lewis, 116th BCT Deputy Commander Col. Guy Thomas, 42nd Division Artillery Commander Col. Eugene Dever, 42nd Division Artillery Command Sgt. Maj. Dennis Flynn, TF 1-148 FA Commander Lt. Col. Russell Johnson, TF 1-148 FA Command Sgt. Maj. William Green, 145th Support Battalion Commander Lt. Col. Terry Harrell, 145th SB Command Sgt. Maj. Charles Whittier, U.S. Air Force 506th Air Expeditionary Group Commander Col. Scott Mason, 506th AEG Command Chief Master Sgt. C.L. Glick, Iraqi Army 2nd Brigade, 4th Division Command Maj. Gen. Anwa Hamed Amin, and Cecom Representative Wil Finley.

"The dining-in was a huge success, bringing together all of the soldiers of the 1-148 FA to a little well-deserved merriment after the challenges of this deployment so far," said Spc. Adam Fink, a TF 1-148 FA soldier who attended the event.

The 116th BCT's TF 1-148 FA and the Air Force's 506th AEG are based at Kirkuk Regional Air Base, also known as Forward Operating Base Warrior. The 116th BCT is comprised of headquarters and staff sections, two armor battalions, a mechanized infantry battalion, a support battalion, a field artillery battalion, an engineer battalion, and various intelligence, signal, and specialized units. The 116th BCT is one of several Army National Guard units deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom III.

• Date Taken: 09.08.2005
• Date Posted: 09.08.2005 09:42
• Story ID: 2935
• Location: KIRKUK, IQ