CJTF-82 CSM Capel Honors Sky Soldiers

Photo By Sgt. Daniel Haun | U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Thomas Capel, Combined Joint Task Force-82 command sergeant major, presented a select group of "Sky Soldiers," from the 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team Headquarters and Headquarters Company, Special Troops Battalion, and Brigade Support Battalion with challenge coins, bearing the 82nd Airborne Division's insignia. Signifying his appreciation for Sky Soldiers' service at Forward Operating Base Shank, Afghanistan, April 13. Capel also took this opportunity to offer encouraging words to the Sky Soldiers and thank them for their service.  

AFGHANISTAN

04.13.2010

Story by Sgt. Daniel Haun 

Combined Joint Task Force - 82 PAO

LOGAR PROVINCE, Afghanistan - U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Thomas Capel, Combined Joint Task Force-82 command sergeant major, honored a select group of Soldiers from the 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team Headquarters and Headquarters Company, Special Troops Battalion, and Brigade Support Battalion at Forward Operating Base Shank, April 13.

Capel presented the 'Sky Soldiers' with challenge coins bearing the 82nd Airborne's insignia.

"We can live a free life because of men and women like you, who put your boots on the ground in Afghanistan, Iraq, and places where the terrorist network trains and tries to operate," said Capel.

Capel also said he knew the rigors and sacrifices each Soldier experienced prior to the deployment.

"I've been working with Task Force Bayonet for years, right here in Afghanistan. I know your capabilities, I know how you fight, I know how you trained before you came here, and it was hard. It was tough; you sweated a lot, and you hurt a lot, but it was just to make you better for this operation," said Capel. "I know what you've been through and I just want to say thank you for what you have done to help defend and protect our country."

Task Force Bayonet Command Sgt. Maj. Nicholas Rolling also shared his perspective on the visit.

"It meant a lot to the Sky Soldiers to have Command Sergeant Major Capel spend an entire day with us. It was an opportunity for our non-commissioned officers and Soldiers to communicate face to face with our CJTF-82 command sergeant major, learn what he's focused on and share some of our thoughts and concerns."

Before the CJTF-82 command sergeant major concluded his visit, he offered more encouraging words to the Sky Soldiers.

"We will continue to fight this war to protect the freedom of the United States of America, to protect the freedom of the Afghan people. We will continue to fight this war, to protect other countries that are so afraid and terrified of terrorist activities and networks around the world," said Capel. "You're building a country that was torn down to rock bottom."

• Date Taken: 04.13.2010
• Date Posted: 04.14.2010 18:18
• Story ID: 48157
• Location: AF