Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Phillip Valentine | Helping an outgoing patrol, Sgt. Travis Tasharski, communications non-commissioned...... read more read more
BAGHDAD — "You don't need to be the top dog to make a difference," said Command Sgt. Maj. Sal Katz, the senior non-commissioned officer for Division Special Troops Battalion, 1st Armored Division, about the DSTB hero of the week.
These heroes he refers to are Soldiers who have been recognized by their commands for significant accomplishments above and beyond their peers.
Chicago native Sgt. Travis Tasharski, the non-commissioned officer in charge of communications at 501st Military Police Company, DSTB, made such an impression that he was recommended for the hero of the week by someone outside of his chain of command. He was recognized March 31 at the start of the weekly battalion meeting.
Sgt. 1st Class Benjamin Guerrero, NCOIC of information technology, Company B, DSTB, and a Los Angeles native, nominated Tasharski even though he was not Tasharski's direct supervisor.
Guerrero said Tasharski was a major contributor in making communications clear and more reliable for Soldiers operating in the Baghdad area.
"When we first got [to Camp Liberty,] things were a mess," he said. "Now we can communicate in places we couldn't before."
The Soldiers of 501st experienced problems with radio communications when they traveled outside the camp in their vehicles. Without dependable communications, mission success is almost unattainable. Reporting medical evacuations and enemy contact would be virtually impossible.
Tasharski made several checks of the radio systems and found nothing wrong. He was certain the problem lay elsewhere.
"It was frustrating," said Tasharski. "The last straw was when we replaced every antenna we had."
He made his way to Signal Hill at Camp Liberty.
With the help of Staff Sgt. William Richard, a Bellwood, N.C., native assigned to 146th Signal Company, DSTB, several checks of the area were made and they found a cut wire which did not allow the signals to get through. The wires were repaired and communications between the vehicles outside the wire and the MPs operations center were fully restored.
After resolving the issue at Signal Hill, Tasharski once again found himself dealing with another communications problem.
The 501st vehicles were experiencing difficulties when traveling toward the International Zone. Vehicle radios were put through numerous radio checks, but hours of troubleshooting still did not fix the problem. Guerrero made a call to the radio relay site at Contingency Operating Location Union III in the IZ and had them check the entire radio system on location, including all wires and antennas.
"We had to be absolutely sure that it was not our equipment before we looked elsewhere," said Tasharski.
The checks came back green; all systems were in working order.
So sure was Tasharski his equipment was operating properly that he convoyed out to the relay site and checked for himself.
"I had a mission to do and I had to complete it," he said. "I care about my guys' safety and if they go out, I want them to communicate."
Once a thorough check of the area had been made, he found an antenna that was not mounted high enough, which made 360-degree communications impossible. He took the time to raise the antenna and make adjustments. Communications were brought back to full operations.
With all their communications restored, Guerrero remembered the hero of the week program. He submitted the paperwork and received word Tasharski would be honored. Guerrero said he believes it is important to recognize what outstanding Soldiers daily do.
"Sometimes the littlest things matter. For the NCOs out there, don't let things go," he said. "Anything Soldiers do that enhance mission success should be recognized."
When Tasharski heard he had been nominated, he was humbled.
"We really put in a lot of effort, yet at the same time, I wanted to remain modest," he said. "I am proud to have won it."
Recalling the day when he received the award, he said he was surprised when Guerrero summarized the events that led to his nomination.
"When I was hearing it, it was like, 'Wow, I did all that?' Yeah, I guess I did," said Tasharski.
Even Tasharski's modesty showed as he recognized the Soldiers of 146th Sig. Co.
"I give all the credit to the guys on the hill — they have done a tremendous job," he said. "I tip my hat to them."
| Date Taken: | 04.06.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 04.07.2010 12:49 |
| Story ID: | 47810 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 317 |
| Downloads: | 257 |
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