Just Awards

Courtesy Photo |  

LOGISTICS SUPPORT AREA DIAMONDBACK, IRAQ

11.25.2005

Courtesy Story

DVIDS Hub       

LSA DIAMONDBACK, Iraq " Soldiers of the 494th Transportation Company and 1/82nd Paratrooper Support Detachment left with more than medals during a 142nd Corps Support Battalion awards ceremony Oct. 17 here " they left with a sense of achievement.
Recognizing more than 175 Soldiers for their deployment accomplishments, commanders Capt. Justin Herbermann of the Fort Campbell-based 494th Trans. Co. and Chief Warrant Officer2 Anthony Cavalieri of the Fort Bragg-based 1/82nd Paratrooper Support Detachment said they can't praise their Soldiers enough.
"It's been phenomenal," Herbermann said. "Their performance has really been extraordinary. You can never really thank them enough for what they've sacrificed."
"It's great," added Cavalieri. "It's a magnificent feeling to look back at the past 12 months and see all that they've accomplished."
Herbermann's Soldiers, who conduct daily combat logistic patrols to the Q-West Base Complex, Forward Operating Base Courage and FOB Sykes, have accrued more than 600,000 miles, escorted more than 43,000 third country national trucks and moved more than 5,000 people since their arrival in Mosul in January. In addition, his Soldiers have moved more than 5,000 pallets of mail and supplies at LSA Diamondback.
Cavalieri's Soldiers have had success as well. As a multi-functional personnel detachment postured to support a brigade, his unit has produced division-like numbers, servicing between 13,000 and 15,000 Soldiers and processing more than 75,000 personnel actions and transactions. Cavalieri said that while some of his Soldier's accomplishments are attributed to his motto "motivated by challenge," the overall success results from something simpler.
"It's the way we do it," Cavalieri said. "It's the best way I can describe it. We're aggressive and determined to come in here each day and service the Soldiers of MNF-NW."
Another ingredient to the Soldier's success is what they've learned and how their work has impacted the people of Iraq.
"I've learned that change is possible in a very quick time," said Sgt. Brad Leary, an 82nd light wheeled vehicle mechanic. "It was good to see the different attitudes, and that people in Iraq are proud of their country as well."
"I think we've played a pretty good role in helping out the local nationals," added Sgt. Jorge Rios, a 494th motor transport operator and team leader. "I think we're leaving a lasting impression."
Lasting impressions have also been left among the Soldiers of the units, who have drawn close together despite differences.
"We have a lot of different people," Rios said. "Every time there's a stressful situation " no matter what the ranks " we all pull together. Even though we're so different, we learn to trust each other like family."
While stressful situations may be the norm in a combat zone, they won't stop some Soldiers from returning on another deployment.
"If the Army asked me to come back, I"d come back," said Sgt. Thomas Lyttle, 494th Trans. Co. "No questions, no hesitations."

• Date Taken: 11.25.2005
• Date Posted: 11.25.2005 07:49
• Story ID: 3855
• Location: LOGISTICS SUPPORT AREA DIAMONDBACK, IQ