Paratroopers receive combat awards

Photo By Staff Sgt. Joshua Ford | Maj. Gen. Benjamin R. Mixon, 25th Infantry Division commander, pins a combat medic badge on Spc. Santa Nieves, a medic with Company C, 82nd Brigade Support Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, during a ceremony March 21 at Contingency Operations Base Speicher, Iraq. During the ceremony Mixon presented four combat action badges and six combat medic badges.  

TIKRIT, IRAQ

03.22.2007

Story by Spc. Joshua Ford 

3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division

CONTINGENCY OPERATIONS BASE SPEICHER, Iraq - Ten paratroopers from the 82nd Brigade Support Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, were recognized for combat action during a ceremony March 21, at Contingency Operations Base Speicher.

Maj. Gen. Benjamin R. Mixon, 25th Infantry Division commander, presented six medics with the Combat Medic Badge and four paratroopers the Combat Action Badge.

"It's a privilege any time I get to award Soldiers with the combat action badge or combat medic's badge. I'm proud of these Soldiers and their service to the nation," said Mixon. "I am definitely proud of your service."

Though the Paratroopers are part of a support company, they are constantly outside the base providing logistic support to the other units at other base throughout their brigade, said 1st Sgt. Robert E. Penick, Company A, 82nd Brigade Support Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division.

"The brigade support battalion is in the thick of things. We deliver all classes of supplies for (bases) in support of the maneuver battalions, so during that process, sometimes we encounter enemy contact. We're just like any other Soldier on the battlefield. We're combat warriors," said Penick.

"It is great to get these paratroopers recognized," added Penick.

Cpl. Carlos Largaespada, a medic with Company C, 82nd Brigade Support Battalion, said to receive his combat medic badge was a matter of just being "in the wrong place at the wrong time."

"For a medic, it's nothing to celebrate ... being awarded the CMB typically entails somebody getting hurt," said Largaespada.

The enemy does not discriminate between Soldiers. Combat arms and combat support Soldiers, alike, are on the same battlefield in today's war on terror.

Mixon commented on the recent troop surge in Baghdad after the ceremony and said, "We are in a critical time" and mentioned that each Soldier in Iraq is needed. He then congratulated the paratroopers of 82nd Brigade Support Battalion on all the success they have made since they have been deployed.

"What you are doing out there is important, and we are making progress. I can clearly see it across (Multi-National Division-North)," said Mixon.

• Date Taken: 03.22.2007
• Date Posted: 03.28.2007 19:10
• Story ID: 9659
• Location: TIKRIT, IQ