47th Transportation Company: Pride and Honor of the Combat Patch

Courtesy Photo | Capt. Jennifer A. McIntyre, the 47th Trans. Co., 751st Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 10th Sustainment Brigade?s commander and Wappingers Falls, N.Y. native, addresses her company during the unit?s combat patch ceremony at Al Asad Airbase. She commended the Soldiers on the progress they have made during the first 30 days of their deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. The event marked a milestone in the unit's deployment.  

AL ASAD, IRAQ

08.24.2009

Courtesy Story

13th Armored Corps Sustainment Command (13th ESC)

AL ASAD AIRBASE, Iraq — Recently, Soldiers with the 47th Trans. Co., 751st Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 10th Sustainment Brigade, from Fort Bliss, Texas, surpassed the first 30 days of their deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

The company commemorated this time by upholding the time-honored tradition of the combat patch ceremony.

The emplacement of the unit patch upon the right shoulder sleeve of the uniform signifies having served in combat with that respective unit. For many Soldiers it is a symbol of the camaraderie and cohesion among their comrades-in-arms.

Capt. Jennifer A. McIntyre, a native of Wappingers Falls, N.Y., and the 47th Transportation company commander, stood before the formation of Soldiers at the ceremony and commended them for the progress they have made since their arrival at Al Asad Airbase and expressed the importance of what it means to wear the combat patch.

While many Soldiers within the unit have multiple deployments in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and are well versed in what it means to receive a combat patch, there are a few who have longed to earn the privilege and honor of wearing one.

For Staff Sgt. Eric J. Montanez, a heavy-wheeled vehicle operator and native of San Lorenzo, Puerto Rico, it was a monumental moment to receive his first combat patch. Previously, Montanez held a position as an Advanced Initial Training instructor at Fort Bliss. In an effort to fulfill his patriotic duty, he actively sought to be transferred to the 47th Transportation Company in an effort to support their upcoming deployment to Iraq. When asked about this being his first deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom he responded with a resounding "Yes sir, it is and I love it ... I'm in one of the best units in the world."

As the first military service member in his family, Staff Sgt. Montanez exclaimed, "The United States is a great organization filled with great people ... and it's all about getting along with everybody and making the mission happen."

Montanez fulfills the duties of commodity manager when conducting logistical convoys, coordinating the loading of logistical supplies at the Joint Distribution Center for transport based on Transportation Movement Requests, vehicle preparedness, internal convoy communications, and crew/driver qualifications. He has managed the movement of 258 short tons of supplies and traveled more than 5,144 miles in support of the 47th Transportation Company's mission.

From receipt of a combat patch to perfecting the duties of a commodity manager, Staff Sgt. Montanez, as well as other Soldier's within the 47th Transportation Company, will forever remember the significance of their first 30 days supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

• Date Taken: 08.24.2009
• Date Posted: 08.28.2009 09:47
• Story ID: 38056
• Location: AL ASAD, IQ