Acting as Section Grenadier, Sergeant Wayne effectively suppressed the enemy by providing accurate covering fire, placing one round of 40mm High Explosive, and more than 50 rounds 5.56 mm down range allowing his element to move across an open field to cover while taking heavy enemy fire resulting in zero delays of the mission. He provided critical aid to three combat casualties, initiated 2 MEDEVACs and provided medical care to more than 10 local nationals.
PFC Meeks went above and beyond his duty position as Grenadier to shadow and assist the platoon RTO in all the assigned RTO duties. PFC Meeks has demonstrated a relentless devotion to duty and ceaseless efforts to not only learn the tasks of RTO but to also assist the platoon's radio communication needs whenever needed. PFC Meek's outstanding professional skill, knowledge, and motivation has aided 2nd Platoon immeasurably in identifying problems in radio communications for both mounted and dismounted missions before they affected operations and safety.
FOR EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE WHILE ASSIGNED AS A RIFLEMAN, GRENADIER, AND AUTOMATIC RIFLEMAN IN ALPHA COMPANY, 1ST BATTALION, 508TH PARACHUTE INFANTRY REGIMENT. PFC MEEK'S ACTIONS SET AN EXAMPLE FOR ALL PARATROOPERS TO FOLLOW. HIS ATTENTION TO DETAIL, DEDICATION TO DUTY, AND PROFESSIONAL EXCELLENCE ARE IN KEEPING WITH THE FINEST TRADITIONS OF THE 82ND AIRBORNE DIVISION. PFC MEEK'S PERFORMANCE REFLECTS GREAT CREDIT UPON HIMSELF, THE 4TH BRIGADE COMBAT TEAM, THE 82ND AIRBORNE DIVISION AND THE UNITED STATES ARMY.
Specialist Kevin Meek's ceaseless efforts were a major factor in completing over 500 hours of Force Protection and defensive operations which enabled the safe employment and unhindered operations of 14 Remotely Piloted Aircraft supporting over 400 missions in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM and Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa. Due to SPC Meek's implementation of 50 Random Antiterrorism Measures, terrorist threats were mitigated and the protection of over $520 million worth of DoD infrastructure and assets crucial to Air Forces Africa Command was ensured. He devoted more than 40 hours of his own time to ensure that the 6.5 kilometer perimeter and lines of communication between guard positions on Chebelley Airfield, Djibouti were secure from every avenue of approach.
SPC Velencio served in Easy Troop, 2nd Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment. While assigned to Easy Troop, he served as a Rifleman, Automatic Rifleman, Grenadier, Opposing Forces Surrogate Vehicle (OSV) Driver, and Light Medium Tactical Vehicle (LMTV) Driver. He Participated in multiple Team Live Fire Exercises (LFX), Fire Team LFX, Squad LFX, Platoon LFX, three Blackhorse stakes, and 20 National Training Center Rotations.
