Courtesy Photo | Air Force Tech. Sgt. Dennis Connolly (from left), Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. Alonzo...... read more read more
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Nine U.S. military members working in the Omani embassy were recognized today for their efforts in providing support for over 200 service members evacuated from the USS Cole after the Oct. 12 bombing.
Defense Secretary William S. Cohen praised the group for their superlative work. He then presented the Joint Service Meritorious Commendation Award to Army Col. Rodger Oetjen, chief of the Office for Military Coordination in Oman.
Cohen then presented Joint Service Achievement Awards to Air Force Lt. Col. Eric Brooks, Army Lt. Col. Robert Felkel, Marine Corps Maj. Stephen Gorzynski, Air Force Capt. Jeffrey Moody, Navy Chief Petty Officer Mark Shafer, Air Force Master Sgt. William Holland, Marine Gunnery Sgt. Alonzo Woolery and Air Force Tech. Sgt. Dennis Connolly.
The award citation noted that the Americans and their Omani embassy counterparts worked to “expedite the safe evacuation of sailors from the USS Cole following the terrorist incident that disabled their ship.”
The team worked with Omani officials, especially the Royal Air Force of Oman, to plan and execute the reception and transfer of 219 [Cole] sailors from the USS Tarawa Amphibious Readiness Group to Thumrait Air Base in Oman, for movement to the United States, according to the citation.
The citation said the team’s efforts “ensured the operation met every critical mission requirement [to include:] secrecy, enhanced force protection, expedited and seamless logistical support, unrestricted access to Omani facilities and airspace, and maximum flexibility.”
Story by Gerry J. Gilmore, American Forces Press Service
| Date Taken: | 11.20.2000 |
| Date Posted: | 07.03.2025 22:59 |
| Story ID: | 525846 |
| Location: | WASHINGTON, US |
| Web Views: | 0 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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