Photo By Sgt. Mike MacLeod | Lt. Col. Andrew Danwin, commander of 307th Brigade Support Battalion, 1st Advise and...... read more read more
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AL ASAD AIRBASE, Iraq – A group of 82nd Airborne Division paratroopers based at Al Asad Airbase was recognized June 16 for being named the best maintenance company in the Army.
Twenty-one troops were awarded the Army Commendation Medal and 35 more awarded the Army Achievement Medal in a ceremony to recognize their contributions to Company B, 307th Brigade Support Battalion, 1st Advise and Assist Brigade winning the fiscal 2009 Army Award for Maintenance Excellence.
“They are the best maintenance company of all the maintenance companies within the Army,” said Lt. Col. Andrew Danwin, 307th BSB commander. “This is not something that was just slapped together. It’s been something we’ve been building on for years. The entire battalion has had a hand in that.”
According to battalion maintenance officer, Chief Warrant Officer Jason Kovatchitch, the majority of the competition hinged on a 21-page narrative describing what the company does, followed by an inspection by the Department of the Army G4 office.
While the “Black Devil” battalion was stationed for the majority of fiscal 2009 at Fort Bragg, N.C., the last 3-4 months was spent preparing for deployment and receiving equipment in Iraq, he said.
“I think it gave us the edge over everybody else,” said Kovatchitch, who has been in the Army for 18 years.
The 307th BSB provides logistical, medical and maintenance support for the entire 1/82 brigade, whose area of operation includes all of Iraq’s largest province, Al Anbar.
Being backed by the best maintenance company in the Army is a big deal, said Maj. Jeff Edgington, operations officer for 307th BSB.
“It means you don’t need to worry about a thing,” said Edgington. “They are always going to accomplish the mission.”
Non-commissioned officer in charge of operations, Sgt. 1st Class Eric Cantrell, agreed.
“Having the best maintenance company in the Army backing our operations is the Black Devil way,” he said. “I was not surprised they won. We expect it.”
In 2008, another Black Devil maintenance unit, Company G, won a nomination for the AAME.
| Date Taken: | 06.16.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 06.21.2010 21:16 |
| Story ID: | 51760 |
| Location: | AL ASAD AIR BASE, IQ |
| Web Views: | 528 |
| Downloads: | 218 |
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