Ensuring the safety of personnel serving overseas is pivotal and since the tragic death of Capt. Dean Sprouting on Al Asad Air Base in January 2018, many groups have come together to create a track and field on the base. On Sept. 9, 2019, with a singular focus on safety, Col. Daniel Leavitt, Al Asad Air Base Commander and 641st Regional Support Group commander, proudly conducted a ribbon cutting ceremony for the Capt. Dean Sprouting Track and Field.
Capt. Sprouting was struck by a vehicle during a run and died of his injuries. Sprouting was raised in Denny, Scotland and enlisted in the British Army in 1989. He was stationed at Al Asad Air Base as part of The Black Watch, 3rd Battalion, in the Royal Regiment of Scotland. During his career he served in northern Yugoslavia, Cyprus, Kosovo, Sudan, Angola, Germany, and finally Iraq.
“I am hopeful [the track] will facilitate the comradery and enthusiasm [Sprouting] embodied in his life through group sports, and his desire for personal physical enhancement,” said Leavitt.
Recognition was given to all the men and women having a part in the construction of the track and field. Even during the construction phase, U.S. and Coalition forces began using the field for group sports. Organizations like the United Service Organization (USO) have actively benefited from this completed task.
“I commend the USO and other units that have already used this facility for events supporting welfare and morale of the residents of Al Asad,” said Leavitt.
A monument will soon be constructed and placed near the field in the hopes that anyone who reads it remembers Capt. Dean Sprouting and honors his service.
Date Taken: | 09.16.2019 |
Date Posted: | 10.01.2019 09:36 |
Story ID: | 344824 |
Location: | IQ |
Web Views: | 449 |
Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Track and field dedicated to fall Coalition soldier, by MSG Tracy Korff, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.