Photo By Master Sgt. Theanne Tangen | U.S. Army Spc. Tyler Deibert, of Volga, S.D., of the South Dakota Army National...... read more read more
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Hundreds of family members, friends and community supports gathered at the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, Tuesday, Oct. 7, to welcome home 162 Soldiers from the South Dakota Army National Guard’s 1742nd Transportation Company.
The ceremony was held to honor the Sioux Falls and Flandreau-based unit’s return from a nine-month deployment to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. The Soldiers recieved a rock star welcome as they entered the sports complex’s anena floor to music and a roaring crowd.
“What a great way to welcome home the Soldiers of the 1742nd,” said Gov. Dennis Daugaard. “I almost thought to myself ‘They’re rock stars.’ That’s the way it should be. Well, the 1742nd is better than rock stars.”
Daugaard, along with Congresswoman Kristi Noem, Flandreau city council member Dan Sutton and Maj. Gen. Tim Reisch, adjutant general of the SDNG, all took the opportunity to congratulate the unit for successfully accomplishing its mission.
The 1742nd deployed in December to provide transportation and convoy security support, perform various supply and service functions and drawdown military bases throughout the country.
“Ten months ago, I stood pretty much in front of the same audience and the receiving line that followed, and many fellow leaders, fathers and mothers shook my hand and said ‘Bring them home captain,’” said Capt. Tyler Gerlach, 1742nd commander. “I will not tell you I accomplished this. We accomplished this.”
While in Afghanistan, the majority of the 1742nd was stationed at Kandahar Airfield in Kandahar Province – with some Soldiers periodically stationed at other bases throughout the country.
The unit conducted 50 tactical convoy missions, leading 27 of them, while driving more than 107,000 miles. They moved more than 1,113 tons of supplies that provided logistical sustainment to U.S. and coalition forces, and more than 3,710 tons of equipment.
“Being a 2003 veteran, I experienced the set-up of many U.S. bases and the early groundwork of the war in Iraq,” said Sgt. 1st Class Matthew Tjaden, assistant convoy commander of 1st platoon. “It’s interesting to compare that to the tear-down in Afghanistan. Previously, we hauled everything ourselves. This time we integrated local drivers to haul many of the loads, while we provided security for their safe travel.”
The 1742nd assisted in the closedown and retrograde of 10 forward operating bases in Regional Command – South and accounted for the turn-in of more than $74 million of unit equipment.
The unit’s Soldiers were often the last U.S. forces to stand where the bases once were, as they hauled away the last pieces of equipment.
“We were sometimes the last Americans on specific pieces of soil and always figured out how to get that last load out,” said Gerlach.
The unit also supported supply and service functions with personnel located in three regional areas throughout the country; running warehouses, receiving and shipping points, fuel and ammo points and managing commodities such as food and water, petroleum, repair parts and major items like tanks, vehicles and rocket launchers.
“Class 1 (food and water) is a key element in sustainment,” said Sgt. Daniel Grosz, who was in-charge of Kandahar Airfield’s Class 1 supply yard. “In addition to food, bottled water is a huge necessity… especially with temperatures reaching up to 120 degrees.”
To keep the 1742nd operating at such a high level, the unit’s maintenance section logged over 8,300 maintenance man-hours and maintained an operational readiness rating of 98 percent on 101 pieces of equipment. They also provided vehicle recovery support for convoys within the unit.
“We relied heavily on the outstanding support provided by our maintenance section,” said 1st Lt. John Breeschoten, convoy commander of 1st platoon. “Their long hours, attention to detail and dedication kept our convoys moving. They were extremely vital to the success of our missions.”
The 1742nd’s Unit Movement Operations team operated an empty container control point; where containers were inspected, repaired and marked for seaworthy transport back to the United States, theater reuse or scrap – saving $32 million.
“UMO is something we don’t get a lot of training on back home,” said Staff Sgt. Eric Niles of 1st platoon. “We learned a great deal about palletizing and about the Air Force’s standard operating procedures for cargo transfer and inspection. Because the process was relatively new to us, it was a huge accomplishment to receive a first-time inspection pass.”
For all the missions and accomplishments of the 1742nd, 17 Bronze Star Medals and 134 Army Commendation Medals were awarded for personnel service and actions.
“The 1742nd Soldiers once again demonstrated the work ethic and professionalism that precedes us with the image that our South Dakota Soldiers are the best,” said Gerlach. “When our higher headquarters asked ‘Can you do it?’ our leaders and Soldiers always responded with ‘Yes we will’ and made it happen.”
Of the 162 Soldiers that deployed with the unit, 43 volunteered from surrounding units in South Dakota including the 740th Transportation Company, 200th Engineer Company, 109th Regional Support Group, 115th Brigade Signal Company, Company A, 139th Brigade Support Battalion, 147th Forward Support Company, 153rd Forward Support Company and the 730th Area Support Medical Company.
As the deployment ends, Soldiers look forward to going home to see their families and reflect on the “second family” they made while overseas.
“Working together from day one and living in close quarters, you truly get to know each other inside and out,” said Sgt. Steven Spors, a volunteer from the 740th of Milbank. “We have become a family and together we have experienced something not many people get to be a part of.”
| Date Taken: | 10.07.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 10.08.2014 14:54 |
| Story ID: | 144625 |
| Location: | SIOUX FALLS, SD, US |
| Web Views: | 314 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, 1742nd Soldiers welcomed home from Afghanistan, by LTC Anthony Deiss, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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