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CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan—After supporting more than 100 combat logistical support missions while traversing 120,000 miles throughout Afghanistan, soldiers with the 1461st Transportation Company are now ready to make one final haul—this time, transporting their team back home to Jackson, Mich.
The National Guard unit officially completed a nine-month deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, May 15, and transferred authority of their operations to the Fort Bliss, Texas-based 377th Transportation Co., during a ceremony held at Camp Leatherneck in Afghanistan’s Helmand province.
“The 1461st is a combat-tested unit of highly trained professionals…one of the only units in Afghanistan to operate over three regions,” said Lt. Col. Lance Curtis, commander of the 87th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 3rd Sustainment Brigade, who presided over the transfer of authority ceremony.
During their tour, the 1461st Transportation Co. supported operations throughout Regional Commands South, Southwest and West, conducting emergency recovery missions, providing gun truck crew enhancement teams and turning in more than $5.4 million worth of equipment.
The team, whose motto is ‘Combat HET’ due to their frequent use of heavy equipment transporter vehicles, was awarded with the Army’s Meritorious Unit Commendation for their deployment’s successes.
Additionally, 15 soldiers were awarded with the Bronze Star, four received the Purple Heart and eight soldiers received the Combat Action Badge.
Capt. Melody Taylor, the 1461st commander, credited the unit’s accomplishments to the efforts made by her Soldiers.
“It is from your dedication and your commitment that we have been successful,” Taylor told her troops who stood before her after their unit colors were cased-signifying the completion of their mission.
With the 1461st Transportation Co. guidon encased, the 377th unit flag unfurled, and the inbound team led by Capt. Jonathan Bender and 1st Sgt. Derek Cook were charged with continuing to build upon their predecessor’s achievements.
Curtis said this task would certainly be executed as the 377th Transportation Company has a “tremendous reputation.”
“I have no doubt they are ready to assume the mission,” he said.
The new team’s company commander agrees, and said the 1461st assisted them with a smooth transition into their new operational environment.
“The 377th is ready as ever,” said Bender. “It’s time to go to work.”
| Date Taken: | 05.17.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 05.17.2013 03:52 |
| Story ID: | 107099 |
| Location: | CAMP LEATHERNECK, AF |
| Hometown: | FORT BLISS, TEXAS, US |
| Hometown: | FORT STEWART, GEORGIA, US |
| Hometown: | JACKSON, MICHIGAN, US |
| Web Views: | 478 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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