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Soldiers of the 66th Transportation Company stood before their families, fellow Soldiers and leaders during a ceremony that marked the unit’s upcoming deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
The ceremony held at Kleber Gym Jan. 15 was both a solemn and uplifting event as family members sat and watched their Soldiers’ leaders furl the company colors.
In his speech to the troops, 39th Transportation Battalion Commander Lt. Col. Robert Curran spoke of the training that led to this moment, but he also emphasized what will bring them home.
“Vigilance and focus are your call words to ensure your safety throughout your tour,” Lieutenant Curran said.
His words echoed that despite this being the third tour for the unit in support of OIF, their mission will be tough and full of challenges.
“It is a historic time in Iraq and the world, a time of transition as the Iraqi security forces and government agencies take hold and the Iraq government takes control of their country,” Lieutenant Curran said. “This also means the ‘Fighting 66th’ has a very busy tour ahead of it as the line haul mission will be great. But this is good, because quick operations tempo will keep you focused and make the time go quickly…”
The unit has been to Iraq twice before, receiving the Army Meritorious Unit Commendation for its deployment to Iraq from 2004 to 2005. There are about 150 Soldiers in the 66th Trans. Co., and about half of the Soldiers are new to the Army and have never deployed. But the Soldiers of the 66th Trans Co. have worked together for many months – training, learning and coming together as a team. Spc. Marvin A. Reynolds, the 66th Trans. Co. arms room clerk and master gunner, said the training on tactics, techniques and procedures the unit completed in preparation for this deployment is what will help the Soldiers the most.
“When things go wrong, we never know what exactly happens, however, we have to prepare for any and everything … that’s what we have done,” Specialist Reynolds said.
The ceremony held at Kleber Gym Jan. 15 was both a solemn and uplifting event as family members sat and watched their Soldiers’ leaders furl the company colors.
In his speech to the troops, 39th Transportation Battalion Commander Lt. Col. Robert Curran spoke of the training that led to this moment, but he also emphasized what will bring them home.
“Vigilance and focus are your call words to ensure your safety throughout your tour,” Lieutenant Curran said.
His words echoed that despite this being the third tour for the unit in support of OIF, their mission will be tough and full of challenges.
“It is a historic time in Iraq and the world, a time of transition as the Iraqi security forces and government agencies take hold and the Iraq government takes control of their country,” Lieutenant Curran said. “This also means the ‘Fighting 66th’ has a very busy tour ahead of it as the line haul mission will be great. But this is good, because quick operations tempo will keep you focused and make the time go quickly…”
The unit has been to Iraq twice before, receiving the Army Meritorious Unit Commendation for its deployment to Iraq from 2004 to 2005. There are about 150 Soldiers in the 66th Trans. Co., and about half of the Soldiers are new to the Army and have never deployed. But the Soldiers of the 66th Trans Co. have worked together for many months – training, learning and coming together as a team. Spc. Marvin A. Reynolds, the 66th Trans. Co. arms room clerk and master gunner, said the training on tactics, techniques and procedures the unit completed in preparation for this deployment is what will help the Soldiers the most.
“When things go wrong, we never know what exactly happens, however, we have to prepare for any and everything … that’s what we have done,” Specialist Reynolds said.
