Soldiers have New Mexico pride

Photo By Staff Sgt. Cory Grogan | Cpl. Christopher Pawlowski from the 1115th Transportation Company of the New Mexico National Guard does a post combat inspection on an M1117 Guardian Armored Security Vehicle to make sure it is fully functional after returning from a convoy security mission outside of Camp Adder, Iraq, Aug.18. The 1115th is deployed with the 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team of the Oregon National Guard.  

UNITED STATES

08.27.2009

Story by Spc. Cory Grogan 

41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team

A group of New Mexico National Guard Soldiers have a unique sense of pride that they are carrying with them on a deployment that they volunteered for with the 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team out of Oregon.

The 1115th Transportation Company, based out of Taos, New Mexico, has proud members from all over of the state said, Sgt 1st Class Andrew Spears of Albuquerque, New Mexico. They arrived in Iraq in the middle of July and will be conducting convoy security and force protection missions around Camp Adder, Iraq until spring 2010.

"To get the unit thrown together from all four corners of the state—it's hard to explain how fortunate we've been. There hasn't been an argument, there hasn't been a fight, and the espirit décor is great. We just have a real mature group of guys that are here to do their job," said Sgt. 1st Class Spears.

Spears mentioned that this is one of the largest mobilizations of New Mexico National Guard troops since World War II.

The New Mexico National Guard has a unique history that ties its roots all the way back to the Spanish Conquistadors. Notable moments in the history of the New Mexico Guard include volunteers who rode with Teddy Roosevelt's, the "Rough Riders," during their historic charge of San Juan hill and 1800 Soldiers who were a part of the Bataan "Death March" during World War II when Japanese Imperial forces attacked the Philippines; the troops were ordered to retreat to Bataan for battle.

Many of the members of the 1115th who volunteered to go on this year's deployment are from the 1st Battalion, 200th Infantry Regiment, which was involved in the Bataan Death March, said Spears.

"Of the 1,800 New Mexico men sent to the Philippines, 900 survived the Battle for Bataan and the horrors and atrocities of the "death march" and the privation and deep humiliation of the 40 months spent in prisoner of war camps. The 200th and its "child" the 515th, better known as "the Brigade," will always be remembered for the bravery and devotion to duty of its members. These proud men brought home three distinguished unit citations and the Philippine Presidential Unit Citation," according to globalsecurity.org.

Spears added that to most of the company deployed now has been on previous deployments and that they are proud to be serving again, and proud of their history.

"Morale is high, Soldiers are in good spirits, living conditions are better than what we expected, and we believe in our cause. [W]e have a very supportive culture back home," said Spears.

Spc. Joseph Allred, a Truck Gunner, said that the company has a great sense of camaraderie and that they understand the importance of being able to depend on each other.

"There are times when it's a lot of fun and other times when it's really stressful so when you have that range of experiences and emotions you're trying to deal with you have to rely on each other a lot," said Allred.

Cpl. Christopher Powlowski of Albuquerque said the 1115th is able to effectively balance work and fun on the deployment.

"One thing we do religiously, before we leave anywhere or do something, is somebody will get their I-pod and everybody will sing songs, hang out and have a good time, and that is our bonding moment to kind of let the stress of everything else go to the side; we goof off for a minute or two, and then were focused on what we've gotta do right after that."

After coming back from one of his first missions, Powlowski added that the 1115th is glad to be done with training and finally doing what they came to do, which is protecting supplies moving through southern Iraq.

He said the heat has been one of the most difficult parts for the New Mexico Soldiers so far. "Heat in Georgia is one thing, but it definitely took some getting used to here," said Pawlowski.

Sgt. 1st Class Kenneth Cordova, who is in charge of the motor pool for the 1115th, also mentioned the balance between work and having fun.

"Everyone is doing really well so far; playing around breaks the tension and when it's time to be serious we are serious."

The attitude and professionalism that New Mexico's 1115 TC has brought to the 41st brigade provides an excellent example of what it takes to be effective on a deployment, and these Soldiers are living up to a proud tradition they will continue with the New Mexico National Guard.

• Date Taken: 08.27.2009
• Date Posted: 08.27.2009 20:55
• Story ID: 38038
• Location: US