Task Force Yukon commander recognizes six Soldiers

Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Marcus Butler | Army Col. Michael Howard, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division commander, talks with five Soldiers being recognized for the accomplishment of their mission involving the transit and receiving of all of the equipment for the brigade during an awards ceremony on Forward Operating Base Salerno, Afghanistan, March 9.  

BAGRAM AIR FIELD, AFGHANISTAN

03.10.2009

Story by Staff Sgt. Marcus Butler 

2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 11th Airborne Division Public Affairs

BAGRAM AIR FIELD, Afghanistan – Soldiers from 4th Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division were recognized for a job well done during an awards ceremony, March 9, on Forward Operating Base Salerno, Afghanistan.

Six Soldiers with military occupational specialties including infantryman, military policeman, logistical specialist, imagery analyst, medic and medical administration, were awarded medals for the execution of their mission as the 4th BCT, 25th ID, equipment reception and transit team.

These Soldiers left the frigid temperatures of Alaska with the mindset of a single mission to aide their battalions; however that mission quickly evolved into something much greater.

"We all left Fort Richardson, Alaska, on Jan. 17, with the original mission of handling their individual battalion's equipment coming into Afghanistan," said Army Sgt. 1st Class Dustin Leishman, a military policeman from Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 425th Brigade Special Troops Battalion and native of Wasilla, Alaska. "But when we finally arrived into Afghanistan, we saw that we had a much larger task at hand."

The mission originally planned for the Soldiers quickly grew from handling their respective battalion's equipment to handling all the equipment for the entire brigade.

"Once we recognized the challenge we had, specific duties were assigned," said Leishman. "We all had to come together and make it one big effort to accomplish the mission."

"I am honored to recognize the outstanding effort you Soldiers showed by accomplishing this mission," said Army Col. Michael Howard, Task Force Yukon commander. "Your efforts have helped the brigade tremendously with our overall mission. Thank you for what you have accomplished."

Even with the praise of their brigade and battalion leadership, these Soldiers only thought of one thing during their time undertaking this task – accomplish the mission.

"It feels really good to be recognized for doing what we set out to do," said Army Sgt. Chad Wimmer, a squad leader with the 425th BSTB. "But it really feels good to know that we did the job really well and we all came together."

In all, six medals were presented:

Leishman, Wimmer and Army Cpl. Richard Herold, 725th Brigade Support Battalion and native of Butler, Pa. received the Army Commendation Medal.

Spc. William D. Farrow, HHC, 425th BSTB, and a Jamaica, Queens, N.Y. native, Army Pfc. James Malcolm, HHC Brigade, 4th BCT, 25th ID, of Chesapeake, Va. and Spc. Emmeli Rich, HHC, 2nd Battalion, 377th Parachute Field Artillery Regiment of Holt Summit, Mo., received the Army Achievement Medal.

"I really did not know what to expect with bringing so many different personalities and jobs specialties together but once we set out on this mission these Soldiers went above and beyond my expectations," said Leishman.

• Date Taken: 03.10.2009
• Date Posted: 03.10.2009 07:55
• Story ID: 30944
• Location: BAGRAM AIR FIELD, AF