Triple Deuce Awarded Meritorious Unit Commendation Streamer

Courtesy Photo | Gen. David H. Petraeus attaches an Afghanistan campaign streamer to the 2nd Battalion, 22nd Infantry "Triple Duece" guidon with Battalion Commander Lt. Col. Michael Loos after awarding the battalion a Meritorious Unit Commendation.  

KABUL, AFGHANISTAN

11.27.2010

Courtesy Story

1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division

KABUL, Afghanistan — The Meritorious Unit Commendation was awarded to 2nd Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment at the Kabul Military Training Center in Kabul, Afghanistan, Nov. 27, by Gen. David H. Petraeus, commander of the International Security Assistance Force.

Originally prepared for a deployment to Iraq, 2-22 Inf., more commonly known as, “Triple Deuce,” was ordered to rapidly deploy to Afghanistan in January, 2010, making it the first Army battalion to deploy in support of President Barack Obama’s surge of forces.

"This historic unit arrived in Afghanistan as the lead battalion of the first brigade of the surge ordered by President Obama,” said Brig. Gen. Gary Patton, deputy commander for NATO Training Command – Afghanistan and the Combine Security Transition Command - Afghanstan. “They have performed magnificently over these last 12 months doing what would be considered a non-standard mission for a combat infantry battalion - training Afghan soldiers, NCOs, and officers, and building new units for the Afghan National Army.”

Throughout its twelve month deployment, Triple Deuce trained more than 50,000 members of the Afghan National Security Forces at eighteen locations throughout the country.

The Meritorious Unit Commendation, or MUC, is awarded for periods of extraordinarily meritorious service during combat operations and is rarely presented to a unit that is still on the deployment.

Less than two weeks after arriving in Afghanistan, the officers, noncommissioned officers and soldiers of Triple Deuce thrived under their new non-traditional mission.

“I know of no other Battalion who has been used in such a non-standard way.” said Petraeus.

The presentation of the MUC is a significant new addition to the storied legacy of Triple Deuce, a unit that can trace its history back to the War of 1812.

"The 2-22 IN Battalion was a game changer for NATO Training Mission – Afghanistan," said Patton.

Over the last year, soldiers of Triple Deuce have seen their Afghan counterparts improve; taking on greater roles in their training mission.

“The ANA completely run the Basic Rifle Marksmanship training with a 98 percent qualification rate for every unit that passes through.” said Capt. Daniel Gregory, commander of Triple Deuce’s Charlie Company.

After a long deployment away from friends and loved ones, members of the Triple Deuce are looking forward to redeploying to spend the holiday season with their families.

“Please pass on my thanks to your families when you return home,” said Petraeus.

• Date Taken: 11.27.2010
• Date Posted: 11.29.2010 10:44
• Story ID: 61019
• Location: KABUL, AF