Photo By Sgt. Edwin Rodriguez | Gen. William Fraser, head of the U.S. Transportation Command, takes the reins of a...... read more read more
FORT EUSTIS, Va. - Twenty-two soldiers assigned to the 331st Transportation Company (Modular Causeway System), 24th Transportation Battalion, 7th Sustainment Brigade, were decorated for their actions in Antarctica by the commander of U.S. Transportation Command, General William M. Fraser, at a ceremony, April 9.
The soldiers received Joint Service Achievement Medals for their role in Operation Deep Freeze, a yearly operation to support the science and research activities conducted by the U.S. Antarctic Program.
2nd Lt. Bill Battles, platoon leader for the 331st TC, expressed his gratitude for the soldiers awarded JSAM’s.
“What they did was impressive. They stayed strong during the tough conditions and inhospitable environment,” said Battles. “They certainly endured when temperatures were below freezing, which was most of the time there.”
The 331st TC’s motto “Causeway or No Way” held true during this years’ operation on the frozen continent. Unusual winter conditions at McMurdo Station, Antarctica, a U.S. research center with the largest community on the continent, caused the artificially constructed ice pier to be insufficient for cargo operations. The situation resulted in an urgent request through U.S.TRANSCOM, which was answered by the 7th Sus. Bde.
“We found out in early winter so it was a fast turnaround,” said Battles. “We asked our Soldiers to volunteer and then prepared them for the mission; many were eager to go.”
At McMurdo, they worked around the clock to put together their causeway pier in order to facilitate the off-loading of more than 15 million pounds of material. In eight days, the TC, along with a U.S. Navy cargo-handling battalion, battled sub-freezing temperatures and sustained Antarctic winds to complete the mission.
Fraser was enthused to meet the brave soldiers in person and award the 331st TC their medals.
“To succeed in austere conditions like you did is a testament to your training and leadership,” said Fraser. “I applaud you all.”
After the ceremony, Pfc. Allison Lowber, a watercraft operator for the 331st TC, was able to reflect on her first deployment overseas.
“It was an experience that opened my eyes. I felt like we were trained enough and that I would never forget the experience,” said Lowber. “I am now more willing to go where the Army takes me next.”
The “Causeway or No Way” company proved to be vital to the success of the Joint Task Force – Support Forces Antarctica, comprised of U.S. Navy, Army and Air Force and New Zealand Armed Forces, to ensure the success the National Science Foundation’s research now and into future.
| Date Taken: | 04.10.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 04.12.2012 13:44 |
| Story ID: | 86650 |
| Location: | FORT EUSTIS, VIRGINIA, US |
| Web Views: | 198 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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