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RIVERSIDE, Calif., California National Guard Soldiers of the 315th Engineer Vertical Construction Company stand tall in formation. Platoons aligned behind their company’s guidon, a flag symbolizing the unit's identity, pride, and history that garners the unit's rallying point in ceremonies, as a moment of recognition years in the making unfolds before them.
The 100th Troop Command’s Commander, U.S. Army Col. Trevor P. Phillips, and Command Sgt. Maj. Alexandre Santana, approaches the guidon held by one of the unit's Soldiers. With reverence and tradition they attach the Superior Unit Award streamer, a rare distinction that honors the unit's extraordinary performance. Soldiers, prior commanders, and retired service members witness the achievement bellowing on the guidon standing tall.
The 315th EN VCC, 100th Troop Command, was awarded the meritorious Superior Unit Award on April 4, 2025 at March Air Reserve Base, Riverside, Calif.
The Superior Unit Award, established in April of 1985, is given for extraordinary performance on difficult missions during peacetime. In the case of the 315th EN VCC, from January 14, 2019, to March 15, 2021, their work spanned several critical missions while exceeding expectations. This included disaster response during California wildfires, support during civil unrest, and vital security roles during the presidential inauguration.
In lieu of the 315th EN VCC achievement, the Soldiers within the unit are given the opportunity to proudly attach the Army Superior Unit emblem to their army green service uniform.
“The Army Superior Unit Award recognizes outstanding meritorious performance of a unit during peacetime, for difficult and challenging missions under extraordinary circumstances setting it apart from other units with similar missions,” said Staff Sgt. Chris Ryan, Master of Ceremony and member of the 315th EN VCC.
The award ceremony not only held current members of the 315th EN VCC but brought together prior commanders and retired service members who had stood in those formations years prior. Among them was retired Col. Zac Delwiche, former commander of the 100th troop command who reflected on the unit's tireless dedication.
“The three years I was here in the brigade it was non-stop," said Delwiche.
From fire missions, to landslides, to civil unrest, the 315th EN VCC answered the call, he said.
Also present was retired Staff Sgt. David Edilson, prior member of the 315th EN VCC from 2013 through 2022. After the ceremony he shared his thoughts on the significant milestone the unit has crossed.
“The engineers deserved it, the colonel was right, the engineers handled a lot of stuff that went beyond just their MOS.”
Sgt. Kevin Flag of 2nd Platoon, 315th EN VCC echoed that sentiment crediting his leadership, Sgt. 1st Class Joe Hyde, the acting 1st Sgt. of the unit, for their shared success.
“If it wasn’t for Sgt. 1st Class Hyde motivating me and being the mentor that he is, pushing through it would have been much more difficult,” Flag explained. “All the hard work and time we have put in, it's a good feeling seeing something tangible be given to the unit.”
As the ceremony concluded, Col. Phillips and Command Sgt. Maj. Santana led the unit in a heartfelt rendition of the Army Song, the drill hall echoing the voices of all present. With the streamer secured and spirits high, the Soldiers were released to a well earned celebration and the kind of camaraderie that comes with shared sacrifices.
| Date Taken: | 04.25.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 04.27.2025 18:56 |
| Story ID: | 496251 |
| Location: | RIVERSIDE, CALIFORNIA, US |
| Web Views: | 8 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, 315th EN VCC recognized for extraordinary performance, by SPC William Espinosa, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
