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ITHACA, N.Y. - First Lt. Gary Clark takes command of Company D 2nd Battalion 108th Infantry from Capt. Tim Pasto.
The soldiers of the New York Army National Guard's Company D 2nd Battalion 108th Infantry will be honored for their service in Afghanistan, while 1st Lt. Gary M. Clark, a combat veteran, takes command of the company on Saturday January 12.
WHO: 1st Lt. Gary Clark, the incoming commander, Capt. Timothy Pasto , the outgoing commander, Lt. Col. Joseph L. Biehler, commander of the 2nd Battalion 108th Infantry, and the soldiers and families of Company D.
WHAT: National Guard "Freedom Salute" recognition ceremony and company change of command ceremony featuring the traditional passing of the guidon from the outgoing to the incoming commander. During the Freedom Salute ceremony Guard soldiers will receive awards and tokens of recognition for their service.
WHEN: 9 a.m., Saturday January 12, 2013
WHERE: New York State Armory, 1765 Hanshaw Road, Ithaca, N.Y.
Coverage opportunities:
Members of the press will be able to interview both the incoming and the outgoing commanders and speak to soldiers about their service in Afghanistan. Video and still imagery opportunities include soldiers in formation, soldiers receiving their awards, and the change of command ceremony.
For access to this secure military facility press must contact 1st Sgt. Christopher Jones at 607-257-1824 extension 3190.
BACKGROUND:
Freedom salute:
In December 2003, National Guard Bureau in Washington, D.C., launched the Freedom Salute Campaign nationwide as a way to recognize members of the Army National Guard for service during Operations Noble Eagle, Enduring Freedom, and Iraqi Freedom and thank their spouses, children, and employers for the support they have shown to their soldier. The Freedom Salute Campaign is one of the largest Army National Guard recognition endeavors in history. Each eligible soldier will receive an encased American flag, a lapel insignia, a commemorative coin and a certificate of appreciation from the Army National Guard. The soldier's spouse/significant other will receive a lapel insignia.
Change of command ceremony:
In A traditional military change of command the company's guidon, a small flag, is passed from the outgoing commander to the battalion commander, who in turn passes the guidon to the incoming company commander. This signifies the change in responsibility for the company's soldiers and its mission. The incoming commander then passes the guidon to the company first sergeant, the noncommissioned officer who is responsible for the training and management of the company. He/she represents the soldiers of the company.
Traditionally the guidon indicated the unit's location on the battlefield and the location of the commander. The military ritual was designed to allow the soldiers to see who they would follow in to the fight.
1st Lt. Gary M. Clark:
1st Lt.Gary M. Clark, the incoming commander of Company D, 2nd Battalion, 108th Infantry, enlisted in the Army in 2000 and served on active duty in the Signal Corps before joining the New York Army National Guard as an infantryman in 2005. In 2008, he earned a commission as an infantry officer and has served in the 2nd Battalion, 108th Infantry as a weapons platoon leader, scout platoon leader and liaison officer.
Clark's significant operational experience includes an assignment with the 307th Signal Battalion at Camp Carroll, South Korea and deployment to Kuwait . In 2012, he deployed with the 2nd Battalion, 108th Infantry to Afghanistan where he served as the Operational Liaison Officer to the NATO-led Regional Command West Headquarters in Herat City.
Clark earned his commission in 2008 through ROTC at Syracuse University and holds a Master's Degree in Public Administration and Certificate of Advanced Study in Security Studies from the Maxwell School at Syracuse University. He is a graduate of multiple Army schools including the Primary Leadership Development Course, Officer Basic and Infantry Officer Basic Courses, Airborne School, Ranger School and the Heavy Weapons Leader's Course.
Clark's awards and decorations include the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global war on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Non Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (3rd Award), Armed Forces Reserve Medal with "M" Device, U.S. Army Basic Parachutists Badge, and the Ranger Tab.
1st Lt. Clark lives in Syracuse, N.Y., with his wife Chari and their son.
Capt. Tim Pasto:
Capt. Tim Pasto, the outgoing commander of Company D, 2nd Battalion, 108th Infantry Regiment joined the New York Army National Guard in 2002 and has served as a Rifle Platoon Leader, Assault Platoon Leader, Mortar Platoon Leader, Logistics Officer, Company Executive Officer, and Company Commander. His next assignment will be as Assistant Operations Officer for the 27th Infantry Brigade Combat Team.
Pasto served as the Task Force Logistics Officer for Task Force Empire Shield (2004-2005), the New York National Guard security force in New York City and also served as the Company Executive Officer and Company Commander during the 27th Infantry Brigade Combat Team deployment to Afghanistan in 2008.
Pasto took command of Company D in 2009 at the start of the battalion's pre-deployment training program for the Afghan deployment.
Pasto is a Federal Dual Status Technician working for the New York Army National Guard as a Training Officer at Cornell ROTC. Prior to this he worked as a Social Studies Teacher in Syracuse, N.Y., from 2005-2010.
Pasto earned his commission in 2004 through ROTC at Syracuse University and holds a Masters in Education. Prior to this he earned his BS in Human Development from Cornell University in 2000. He is an Honor Graduate of Basic Combat Training and the Infantry Officer Basic Course. He is a graduate of the Maneuver Captains Career Course and Army Rappel Master Course.
Pasto's awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal, National Defense Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with One Campaign Star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with "M" Device, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Army Reserve Component Overseas Training Ribbon, NATO Medal and the Air Assault Badge.
Pasto resides in Fabius, N.Y., with his wife Megan and their two children.
2nd Battalion 108th Infantry:
The 2nd Battalion 108th Infantry has units located across upstate New York in Ithaca, Utica, Glenville, Gloversville, Leeds, Ogdensburg, and Morrisonville. During its deployment to Afghanistan the battalion formed the core of Task Force Iron where it was responsible for enhancing the capability of the Afghan National Security Forces to secure Highway One in from Herat City to Nimroz province in western Afghanistan.
In 100 days of combat operations during the critical 2012 fighting season, the Task Force conducted 572 combat missions, including 20 air assault operations. It found and cleared dozens of improvised explosive devices and assisted the Afghan Army in establishing security along 200 miles of Highway One, one of the most strategic pieces of terrain in Afghanistan. In addition to these accomplishments, Task Force Iron enhanced the concept of Afghan-led inter-agency coordination centers, developed a targeting methodology for Security Force Assistance Teams and developed an innovative air assault counter IED team that neutralized the IED threat on Highway One.
The 500-soldier Task Force was augmented with an infantry company and dozens of individuals from the 1st Battalion, 69th Infantry Regiment, "The Fighting 69th," and a Ground Collection Platoon from the Syracuse-based 27th Infantry Brigade Combat Team. Specific units assigned to the Task Force are:
Task Force Iron arrived in Afghanistan in May 2012 and began combat operations to set the conditions for the final phase of security transition to Afghan forces in RC-West. From its headquarters at Shindand Air Base, the Task Force conducted security force assistance from four locations in Heart and Farah Provinces. Task Force Iron also exercised tactical control and limited administrative control of U.S. liaison teams to the Slovenian Military Advisory Team in Farah province and the Lithuanian Police Advisory Team in Ghor province.
Beginning on July 7, 2012, TF Iron was committed in its entirety to the RC-West Main Effort, Operation Shrimp Net During the operation, the Task Force served as the primary security force for the retrograde of a Combined Afghan-Italian Task Force from the Gulistan Valley in Farah province. The Italians were occupying two isolated combat outposts that could only be reached safely by air due to an influx of insurgents into the valley. TF Iron's mission was to clear and secure a 25 mile-long route into the valley in order to ensure the safe movement of the combined Afghan-Italian force. The 9-day operation was a major success and aided substantially to the transition of security to Afghan Forces.
Task Force Iron was the last major US ground maneuver force in RC-West and played an essential role in the transition of security from international forces to the Afghan Army and Police. As part of this transition, Task Force Iron closed several outposts and prepared thousands of pieces of equipment for its eventual retrograde from the country. The last Task Force Iron combat elements came off mission on August 22, 2012. The majority of the soldiers returned to the United States in late September 2012.
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Related Media
• 1st Lt. Gary Clark in Afghanistan.: http://app.readmedia.com/news/attachment/46025/Clark_11377_0.jpeg
• Soldiers of the 2-108th Infantry on patrol in June, 2012 (1st Lt. Jason Uhlig): http://app.readmedia.com/news/attachment/46026/635836_11377_0.jpg
| Date Taken: | 01.11.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 01.11.2013 09:39 |
| Story ID: | 100250 |
| Location: | ITHACA, NY, US |
| Web Views: | 188 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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