US Army commander honored by Italian comrades in western Afghanistan

Courtesy Photo | U.S. Army Lt. Col. Ronald G. Lukow receives the Joint Forces Command General Staff’s Honour Decoration May 23 from Commanding General Brig. Gen. Carmine Masiello of the Italian army. Lukow is commander of Task Force Comanche, part of the 4th Combat Aviation Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, which is ending a yearlong deployment to Afghanistan in July.  

HERAT, AFGHANISTAN

05.23.2011

Courtesy Story

1st Armored Division Combat Aviation Brigade

By U.S. Army Capt. Robert Harrison
Task Force Comanche

HERAT, Afghanistan – Amid preparations to return home after a year-long military deployment to Afghanistan with the U.S. Army’s 4th Combat Aviation Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, Lt. Col. Ronald G. Lukow received a rare honor from his Italian comrades there. The Joint Forces Command General Staff’s Honour Decoration, as it is known, was presented to Lukow May 23 by Commanding General Brig. Gen. Carmine Masiello of the Italian army.

Lukow, commander of Task Force Comanche, an American helicopter unit based near the northwest Afghanistan city of Shindand, worked alongside Italian forces stationed there. The Italians control coalition military operations in the Regional Command West area, overseeing their own forces along with U.S. forces and those of other nations.

Signed by Italy’s chief of defense, Biagio Abrate, the citation accompanying Lukow’s award reads:

“As commander of U.S. Task Force Comanche, Lt. Col. Ronald Lukow constantly demonstrated the highest levels of consideration and professional integrity, providing an extremely important contribution in the field of air support in a joint operations environment such as that of the Italian-led Regional Command. In the operational context of the Afghan theater, characterized by an ever-growing commitment among the allied forces of the coalition, Lt. Col. Lukow demonstrated an unconditional willingness to cooperate with exemplary professionalism, combined with a deep sense of commitment that was often decisive in the achievement of important objectives.

Through his actions, his profound sense of responsibility and excellent communication skills, Lt. Col. Lukow has improved relations between his military and the national contingent. His undisputed expertise and skills also allowed him to assist, with efficiency and continuity, the commander of Regional Command West. Lt. Col. Lukow, through his professionalism and great integrity, has made a decisive contribution to the success of joint operations between U.S. and Italian armed forces in the ‘ISAF XVI’ mission.”

• Date Taken: 05.23.2011
• Date Posted: 06.21.2011 01:46
• Story ID: 72462
• Location: HERAT, AF