172nd Infantry Brigade: deployment of excellence

Photo By Capt. Stephen Short | Garrison deployment specialists inspect the loading of vehicles in Grafenwoehr, Germany, during the 172nd Infantry Brigade's deployment to Iraq, Oct. 28, 2008.  

ISKANDARIYAH, IRAQ

05.18.2009

Story by Capt. Stephen Short 

Multi-National Division-South

FORWARD OPERATING BASE KALSU, Iraq — The 172nd Infantry Brigade won the 2009 annual Army Chief of Staff Deployment Excellence Award, active Army Operational (large unit) category.

The "Blackhawk Brigade" underwent the process of observation and judging by logistics experts, who selected the 172nd Inf. Bde., based in Grafenwoehr, Germany, for its logistical excellence during its deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2008-2009.

"Deployment excellence recognition means a lot to logisticians, because deployment is the Super Bowl for logisticians," said Maj. Maurice O. Alsing III, a multi-functional logistician involved in the brigade's deployment. "Most of our issues were alleviated with good leadership up front and the brigade commander's primary guidance of accounting for all equipment and personnel during this deployment."

"Our brigade was supported by U.S. Army Europe and the garrisons of Schweinfurt and Grafenwoehr," stated Alsing. "Everyone in the brigade is involved in the planning and execution of a deployment because the process touches each of us."

Representing the 172nd Infantry Brigade at the June awards presentations in Washington, D.C., will be Major Patrick R. Arends, the Blackhawk Brigade logistics officer and native of Colombia, Mo., and Master Sgt. William F. Fox from the brigade's rear detachment, Task Force Shield.

• Date Taken: 05.18.2009
• Date Posted: 05.18.2009 07:23
• Story ID: 33739
• Location: ISKANDARIYAH, IQ