LITCON 10 heads home, mission complete

Photo By Sgt. Daniel West | A Lithuanian soldier watches over a ceremony to open an engineering annex at the al Kut, Iraq, Vo-Tech, June 17, 2008.  

AL KUT, IRAQ

07.28.2008

Story by Sgt. Daniel West 

Multi-National Division-Central

By Sgt. Daniel T. West
41st Fires Brigade

FORWARD OPERATING BASE DELTA, Iraq – It all seemed familiar to soldiers of Lithuanian Contingent 10, Iron Wolf Brigade: packing to leave Iraq. They did it two months ago. That time, with just a week left in their tour, they were given a choice – volunteer for a two-month extension or go home.

Twenty-nine of the 40 soldiers of the contingent chose to stay, and fly home to Lithuania, August 1, with their six-month tour (plus two) complete.

"The mission is not finished when our time is finished," said Cpl. Rimvydas Stasaitis. "If we wanted to finish it, we had to stay."

Two months later, 1st Lt. Gediminas Alisauskas said the extension was the culmination of their mission, and definitely worth it.

"The last two months were the best part of the mission," he said. "It was an unexpected challenge for all, and that's when we got our most professional work from all the soldiers."

In their time at Forward Operating Base Delta, soldiers of LITCON 10 worked as a Personal Security Detachment and Quick Reaction Force.They mostly worked with Soldiers of Company B, 411th Civil Affairs Battalion.

"They've been outstanding," said Staff Sgt. David McFate, team leader for Civil Affairs Team Spider, of Co. B. "Tactically, I'd match them up against any American unit I've been out with."

The soldiers also earned a commendation from the Lithuanian Minister of Defense and the Supreme Commander of the Lithuanian military.

He said in a statement, they understood the importance of the mission (in Iraq) and performed professionally in all the tasks they were given. A sentiment echoed by coalition forces.

"Hands down, they are 100 percent professional," said Capt. Brian Hall, team leader for CAT Oneway, of Co. B. "Just because of their capacity as soldiers, it bridged the language gap between us and their soldiers.

"Without their work as PSD, the work of the [214th Fires Brigade] and [Provincial Reconstruction Team Wasit] would have never been possible," he added.

Alisauskas, Senior Warrant Officer Arunas Zajanckauskas, Master Sgt. Dainius Vilkaitis and Staff Sgt. Arturus Dargevicius were also awarded U.S. Army Commendation medals in recognition of their superior service during their time here. All soldiers of the contingent earned certificates of appreciation from both the 214th and 41st Fires Bde.

Mission now complete, Alisauskas looks forward to going home.

"First, I will spend time with my family," he said. "It will be a time to relax and prepare for new duties and challenges."

The soldiers will be afforded the opportunity to spend two weeks at a health center with their families, to help them readjust, said Alisauskas.

"All of us look forward to rehabilitating our bodies and inner things, and going back to duty fit," he said.

• Date Taken: 07.28.2008
• Date Posted: 07.28.2008 07:47
• Story ID: 21899
• Location: AL KUT, IQ