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By U.S. Air Force Capt. Stacie Shafran
Combined Joint Task Force - 101
BAGRAM AIR FIELD, Afghanistan - Service members assigned to Paktya Provincial Reconstruction Team earned the privilege to wear the 101st Airborne Division combat patch on their right shoulder, indicating wartime service with the division.
U.S. Army Col. Pete Johnson, Combined Task Force Currahee commander, walked through the ranks of Soldiers and Airmen and personally placed the combat patch on their sleeves.
"It was a great honor to receive the historic 101st Airborne Division combat patch," said U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. David Cheney, Paktya PRT's structural engineer, deployed from Grand Forks Air Force Base, N.D. "As an Air Force member of 15 years receiving this patch represents the fact that we are serving shoulder-to-shoulder with our sister service,"
Other distinguished guests included the commander of PRT Paktya, Lt. Col. Daniel Moy, CTF Currahee Command Sgt. Maj. Timothy Coop, and PRT Paktya 1st Sgt. Britt Ruble.
The history of the combat patch dates back to the end of World War II, when the wear of a unit patch on the right shoulder was approved to denote service in combat with that unit. The combat patch not only symbolizes serving with a specific unit during combat, but also bonds the unit through a visible statement of shared commitment, value and hardship.
The 101st Airborne Division gained notoriety June 6, 1944 during Operation Overlord, in which the division spearheaded Allied airborne landings behind German coastal defences in the Normandy region of France in order to secure key roads and bridges. Despite seemingly insurmountable challenges, the untested division fully seized all of its objectives within a few hours of landing.
The "Screaming Eagle" shoulder sleeve insignia symbolizes the heritage and the traditions of the 101st Airborne Division. The design of the patch began with the traditions of the Civil War. The 8th Wisconsin Volunteer Regiment of the "Iron Brigade" had a bald eagle mascot nicknamed "Old Abe" in honor of President Lincoln. The eagle was carried into battle, perched on an American shield. This became the basis for the patch.
The 101st Division adopted the patch upon activation, just before World War I. Shortly after the war, the division demobilized and in 1942 reconstituted as the 101st Airborne Division. The "Airborne" tab was then officially made part of the Division patch. During World War II, the tab symbolized the dual glider-parachute capability of this only air assault division in the world.
The Airmen and Soldiers of PRT Paktya will serve the remainder of their tour developing the infrastructure necessary for the Afghan people to succeed in a post-conflict environment.
"It's a very unique opportunity to help build the government and infrastructure of Afghanistan, side-by-side with the Army," said Cheney. "Although we are not an offensive team that is normally associated with the "Screaming Eagles" patch, we still serve in a very dangerous war-type environment. Receiving this patch is special to me and when I complete my service with the U.S. Air Force, this patch will go alongside my Air Force patches in my retirement case."
| Date Taken: | 02.06.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 02.06.2009 09:46 |
| Story ID: | 29724 |
| Location: | BAGRAM AIR FIELD, AF |
| Web Views: | 296 |
| Downloads: | 230 |
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