Combat Truckers

Major General Kenneth Down, 1st Theater Sustainment Command commander, presents Chief Master Sgt. Jesse Schraner with the Bronze Start Medal and 1st Lt. Silas Chadwick with the Meritorious Service Medal Oct 6 during the 70th medium Truck Detachment Awards Ceremony at undisclosed location in Southwest Asia. (U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Vanessa Swan)

Combat Truckers mission focused

Published Oct. 7, 2011
By Senior Airman Rachelle Elsea
386th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

SOUTHWEST ASIA -- One hundred forty-four Airmen from the Joint Logistics Task Force 6 were honored at the 70th medium Truck Detachment Awards Ceremony Oct. 6 at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia.

This semi-annual celebration n takes place at the end of each combat trucker unit's six-month rotation.

Army Major Patrick B. Almond, JTLF 6 battalion executive officer, spoke on behalf of the teams.

"To the Airmen of the mighty Doers family: it has been an honor and privilege for our Task Force to have served with you throughout your deployment," said Major Almond. "You have been a significant part of our mission, completing up to 50 missions in the Iraqi Joint Operational Area and 40 local missions with a total of 1.8 million command miles driven."

Since the missions start in 2005, combat truckers have successfully completed more the 1,900 convoys to Iraq with more than 95 million miles traveled. This was no easy feat; during this time period the teams experienced more than 430 attacks.

In order to prepare for the harsh conditions, the Airmen undergo a rigorous 300 hours of training at Camp Bullis, Texas, before even entering the Area of Responsibility.

Each in their own right has gone above and beyond to earn the Medals received.

During the ceremony, nine Airmen were presented the Bronze Star Medal, seven were presented the Meritorious Service Medal, 132 were presented the Army Commendation Medal and two were presented the Army Achievement Medal.

Four Airmen also received the Combat Action Badge. Another 14 were given out over the course of the deployment.

All 144 who came into the AOR together will be leaving together in the near future.

"Remember you are our nation's warriors and greatest resource," said Major Almond. "You are the tip of the spear and it will be because of your efforts that we achieved mission success. With that said, may you all return home with honor."