SUPERIOR PERFORMANCE OF DUTY WHILE SERVING AS FORWARD OBSERVER, SECURITY FORCE COMPANY, TASK FORCE SOUTHWEST, MARINE CORPS FORCES CENTRAL COMMAND FROM 11 MARCH 2019 TO 20 SEPTEMBER 2019 IN SUPPORT OF OPERATIONS FREEDOMS SENTINEL AND RESOLUTE SUPPORT IN HELMAND AND NIMROZE PROVINCES, AFGHANISTAN. SERGEANT CLARKSON PERFORMED 48 CALL FOR FIRE MISSIONS IN SUPPORT OF BASE DEFENSE OPERATIONS, LOCAL MOBILE PATROLS AND RECONNAISSANCE AND SURVEILLANCE MISSIONS. ADDITIONALLY, AS A BATTLE NCO, HE SERVED OVER 1200 HOURS IN THE BASE DEFENSE OPERATIONS CENTER AND ASSISTED THE JOINT OPERATIONS COMMAND IN OBSERVING COMPOUNDS OF INTEREST AND TRACKING ENEMY MOVEMENT IN THE GROUND DEFENSE AREA WHICH LEAD TO 33 KINETIC STRIKES AND OVER 300 ENEMY KILLED IN ACTION. MOREOVER, SERGEANT CLARKSON ASSISTED IN LOCATING A DOWNED FRIENDLY UNMANNED AERIAL SYSTEM IN ENEMY TERRITORY AND LED A TEAM TO RECOVER THE TWO MILLION DOLLAR ASSET. SERGEANT CLARKSON'S OUTSTANDING DEDICATION TO DUTY REFLECTED GREAT CREDIT UPON HIM AND WERE IN KEEPING WITH THE HIGHEST TRADITIONS OF THE MARINE CORPS AND THE UNITED STATES NAVAL SERVICE.
OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT WHILE SERVING AS FIRE SUPPORT NCO AND FORWARD OBSERVER IN SUPPORT OF THE IRON FOCUS FIELD EXERCISE. SPECIALIST CABBAGE EXHIBITED EXTRAORDINARY LEADERSHIP THROUGHOUT THE EXERCISE, DURING WHICH HE ASSUMED THE ROLES OF FIRE SUPPORT SPECIALIST IN ADDITION TO HIS PRIMARY ROLE AS THIRD PLATOON FORWARD OBSERVER. THROUGHOUT IRON FOCUS, SPECIALIST CABBAGE ASSISTED IN AND SUPERVISED THE SETUP, OPERATION, AND MAINTENANCE OF ALL EQUIPMENT ASSIGNED TO THE THE BRAVO FIST. IN ADDITION, HE WAS INSTRUMENTAL IN THE DEVELOPMENT AND EXECUTION OF ALL COMPANY FIRES PLANNING AND CREATED AND EXECUTED A VARIETY OF CONCURRENT TRAINING FOR THE FIRE SUPPORT TEAM. FINALLY, HE ESTABLISHED ALL INITIAL FIST COMMUNICATIONS WHILE SIMULTANEOUSLY PERFORMING HIS DUTIES AS A FORWARD OBSERVER. THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF SPECIALIST CABBAGE BRING GREAT CREDIT UPON HIMSELF, FIRST BATTALION, 41ST INFANTRY REGIMENT AND THE UNITED STATES ARMY.
FOR EXCEPTIONALLY MERITORIOUS SERVICE WHILE ASSIGNED TO HEADQUARTERS AND HEADQUARTERS TROOP, 6TH SQUADRON, 8TH CAVALRY REGIMENT AS THE RTO, M1200 KNIGHT DRIVER, FORWARD OBSERVER, AND JOINT FIRES OBSERVER. DURING THIS PERIOD, SERGEANT SALSA'S SELFLESS DEDICATION, ATTENTION TO DETAIL, AND PROFESSIONALISM DURING THIS ASSIGNMENT REFLECTED GREAT CREDIT UPON HIMSELF, THE MUSTANG SQUADRON, THE VANGUARD BRIGADE AND THE UNITED STATES ARMY.
Forward Observer, HHC 1-279 INF
Sergeant Papaya's experience and effective teaching skills contributed to over 75 previously untrained soldiers learning and being able to conduct a Call for Fire mission. These classes were given during down time between rotations at JMTG/U. His supervision during training ensured all soldiers in the class were able to competently and correctly process a Polar Adjust Fire Mission.
Forward Observer, C 2-1 IN 2-2 SBCT
Specialist Fava performed his duties as a Forward Observer with professional skill and poise under pressure. In addition to serving as Forward Observer, SPC Fava served as driver for the FIST HQ element, driving over 1000 miles and conducting maintenance on the FSV.
Forward Observer, B Co, 3-21 IN
Sergeant Wasabi's outstanding professional skill, knowledge, and leadership aided immeasurably in developing and creating an effective fires plan during the company defense during Operation Gimlet Confirmation. Additionally, he provided effective continuing guidance to soldiers until all events during the operation were successfully completed.
Joint Terminal Attack Controller, 7th ASOS
As an Air Force Joint Terminal Attack Controller, Senior Airman Morel provided Close Air Support during the infil of four CH-47 Chinooks in support of Operation Mongoose. In addition to his contributions as a Joint Terminal Attack Controller, he shared his experience with artillery fire support with Able Company's Joint Forward Observer and Forward Observers, reducing fire support delays by an average of sixty seconds. Moreover, Senior Airman Morel's knowledge of communications provided for successful and secure communications and the passage of critical information between Able Company and Bulldog Brigade TOC over forty kilometers away, ensuring the safe return of Able Company.
Forward Observer, 3rd Marine Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment
CPL Celery demonstrated exceptionally meritorious service by deploying forward on a Marine Expeditiary Unit (MEU) with Charlie Company 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment as one of a handful of 0861 Forward Observers within the MEU. In his service, CPL Celery demonstrated exceptional skill in preparing overlays, plans, processes, and procedures in proper delivery of fires to strategic points within all tactical training areas throughout the deployment. His efforts made fire support within the MEU a complete success. He enabled the fight to be covered with proper fires throughout all engagements.
CPL Celery demonstrated exceptionally meritorous service during Marine Expeditiary Unit (MEU) deployment and with the 7th Fleet with Co A 3D LAR as one of only a few Joint fires Qualified Marines on the entire MEU deployment. CPL Celery demonstrated exceptional maturity, foresight, and fires capabilities and operated on his own, providing critical fires and close air support expertise for all officers, NCOs, and Marines on the deployment in both Okinawa and the Philipine islands. CPL Celery distinguished himself among his peers by taking on every fires mission with pride, tenacity, and expertise far above his rank and grade. His efforts for the MEU resulted in 100% completed and safe live fire missions and operations throughout the entire deployment.
