Courtesy Photo | Pfc. Joshua Sweeney, a gunner with Bravo Company, 1st Combined Arms Battalion, 163rd...... read more read more
by Capt. Russ Cunningham
CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE ADDER, Iraq - One of the highlights of leadership in the Army is the ability to recognize outstanding soldiers for their many contributions to the success of any unit, large or small.
Brig. Gen. Don S. Cornett, Jr., commanding general of the 310th Expeditionary Sustainment Command and an Aurora, Neb. native, took the opportunity during his visit to Contingency Operating Base Adder to recognize Montana National Guard soldiers from the 1st Combined Arms Battalion, 163rd Cavalry Regiment, 4th Sustainment Brigade, 310th ESC, May 10.
Cornett presented combat action badges to nine soldiers with Echo Company, 1st CAB. The award recognizes soldiers who were personally present and actively engaging or being engaged by the enemy and performing satisfactorily in accordance with the prescribed rules of engagement.
The badges were awarded for three improvised explosive device attacks involving the convoy escort teams.
Soldiers awarded the CAB were: Spc. Brandon Dunkerson, a mechanic with Echo Company, 1st CAB and a native of Ronan, Mont.; Spc. Jeffery Martin, a gunner with E Co. and a native of Ronan, Mont.; Staff Sgt. Jonathan Rassmusson, a truck commander with Alpha Co., 1st CAB and a native of Billings, Mont.; Sgt. Henry McLaughlincross, a truck commander with A Co. and a native of Helena, Mont.; Spc. Dustin Schimetz, a gunner with A Co. and a native of Minot, N.D.; Spc. Brandon Thronson, a driver with A Co. and a native of Billings, Mont.; Spc. Nick Vanmierlo, a driver with A Co. and a native of Roundup, Mont.; Spc. Tyler Catron, a driver for Bravo Co. and a native of Missoula, Mont.; and Pfc. Joshua Sweeney, a gunner for B Co. and a native of Anaconda, Mont.
Cornett also awarded three team commanders with Army Achievement Medals for leading their teams through 100 accident-free days.
Staff Sgt. Matthew Sather, convoy commander with A Co., said this accomplishment is significant when considering how often they are on the road, what goes into maintaining their vehicles and how much they put into their off-time activities.
“I’m happy we’ve gone this long without serious incidents,” Sather said. “If we make it through the rest of the deployment without anything serious happening, I’ll be happy.”
The soldiers awarded were: Sgt. 1st Class Lorin Peterson, a convoy commander with A Co. and native of Billings, Mont.; Staff Sgt. Troy Mellum, an assistant convoy commander with A Co. and a native of Helena, Mont.; and Staff Sgt. Matthew Sather, convoy commander with A Co. and a native of Billings, Mont.
| Date Taken: | 06.09.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 06.19.2011 00:24 |
| Story ID: | 72352 |
| Location: | CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE ADDER, IQ |
| Web Views: | 319 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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