Photo By Spc. Yolanda Moreno Leon | Lt. Col. Fred Johnson. deputy brigade comander. 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team 2nd...... read more read more
by Spc Yolanda Moreno Leon
138th MPAD
MOSUL, Iraq (September 15, 2006) – Throughout a military career, enlisted Soldiers and officers will have an opportunity to work for different commanders. It has special meaning for an individual to be hand picked by a Brigade Commander before heading to combat.
Col. Steven Townsend, commander, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division recommended to the Army that Lt. Col. Fred Johnson be their Deputy Brigade Commander for their deployment in support Operation Iraqi Freedom. The unit is stationed on Forward Operating Base Marez, Mosul, Iraq.
"I brought him here after asking the Army to send him when my assigned Deputy Commander was injured and could not deploy with us," said Townsend. "After the Army said I could take him as my deputy commander, I immediately agreed because he was my first choice."
The 3rd SBCT arrived in country a little more than six weeks ago and Johnson has been extremely busy. Not only does he serve as the brigade deputy commander, but also the Brigade Troops Battalion Commander.
"I give equal attention to both duties I am responsible for," said Johnson. "Some days I work more as the BTB commander and others I am more as a deputy commanding officer. What I do is based on what is going on throughout the week; I give as much attention to both jobs as I possibly can."
According to Townsend, Johnson is a quality officer and a sharp Dep. Cdr. He is absolutely essential to the SBCT and to the brigade combat team operations in theater.
This isn't the first time Johnson has been deployed to a war zone. In 1991 he was part of Coalition Forces who were responsible for ousting Iraqi Soldiers out of Kuwait during Operation Desert Storm.
"The mission during desert storm was to expel the Iraqi's out of Kuwait, it was more a kinetic operation," said Johnson. "This time around we are focused primarily in assisting Iraqi Security Forces to take over their area of responsibility."
According to Command Sgt. Maj. Julie Walker, 3rd SBCT, and native of Portland, Ore. Johnson is a motivated commander who cares about his Soldiers. Johnson looks at what Soldiers need, addresses them, and ensures they are squared away.
His coming on board has been a great asset," said Walker. "He is able to focus on both jobs and accomplish the mission. I did not know him personally, but when I met him I liked his good attitude, and his level of excitement."
| Date Taken: | 09.15.2006 |
| Date Posted: | 09.27.2006 09:56 |
| Story ID: | 7844 |
| Location: | MOSUL, IQ |
| Web Views: | 159 |
| Downloads: | 36 |
This work, Career officer hand picked as deputy commander for Stryker Brigade in combat, by SPC Yolanda Moreno Leon, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
