Photo By Cpl. Danielle Rayon | Oklahoma National Guard Capt. Coleton Crockett, commander of Company A, 777th Aviation...... read more read more
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OKMULGEE, Okla. – More than two dozen Oklahoma Army National Guardsmen were recently recognized and rewarded for their hard work and sacrifice while deployed overseas.
Members of Company A, 777th Aviation Support Battalion, 345th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 90th Troop Command were presented the Meritorious Unit Commendation in recognition of their service to country during their 2016-2017 deployment to Kuwait.
The Soldiers earned the award for their service in support of Operations Inherent Resolve, Spartan Shield, and Freedom’s Sentinel. They deployed from summer of 2016 to spring of 2017 as a distribution support company to an aviation support battalion. The unit executed fuel, water and supply operations that spanned four locations and accounted for more than 75,000 miles of travel within Kuwait.
“They were out making a difference over a really large area,” said Lt. Col. Tonia Toben, commander of the 345th CSSB. “They were there providing logistical support to multiple units, not just one.”
The Meritorious Unit Commendation is given to units who carried out their mission with outstanding performance during a period of combat. The standard of accomplishment required for a unit to earn a Meritorious Unit Commendation is equal to an individual soldier earning the Legion of Merit.
The award consists of two components. First, a streamer is displayed on the unit’s colors as a symbol of dedication to duty and willingness to make sacrifices to accomplish their mission.
Second, the individual Soldiers who were deployed with the unit are awarded a scarlet ribbon within a frame of laurel leaves. Twenty-seven Soldiers were permanently awarded the commendation during the ceremony.
“They will have this award for the rest of their careers,” said Toben. “This award is a reminder for those Soldiers of what they did and why they did it.”
The unit was essential in the disruption of ISIS operations and contributed to the liberation of Mosul. Their mission set was varied and complex, and their versatility and commitment set the standard for aviation task force operations in Iraq, Kuwait, Jordan, Afghanistan, and Syria in Joint Security Area Georgia.
The Soldiers who deployed with the unit set the legacy for the future of Company A, 777th ASB as an “always ready” unit, meaning they are ready for any mission at any time.
“A big part of their future is making sure that we are always ready if needed to be called,” Toben said.
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| Date Taken: | 02.05.2022 |
| Date Posted: | 02.15.2022 15:45 |
| Story ID: | 414127 |
| Location: | OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA, US |
| Web Views: | 61 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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