FORWARD OPERATING BASE DELTA, Iraq – The Iron Caissons of 589th Brigade Support Battalion, 41st Fires Brigade, were named the first recipients of the Army Industrial Operations Safety Award April 14.
It is the second DA-level award the battalion has won since standing up in 2005.
“What I think helped our battalion win are the constant safety considerations we take into account on a daily basis. A lot of our Soldiers work hands-on with heavy and hazardous equipment and it is imperative that NCOs train their Soldiers well to make them conscious of the risks they face doing their jobs,” said 1st Lt. Andrea Radu, of Andover, N.J., battalion safety officer and executive officer of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 589th BSB.
The battalion had only been in Iraq for four months when the nomination packet was due but that short period gave the Soldiers opportunities to show off their training.
An average of 100 Soldiers work or interact in the motor pool every day, performing maintenance on nearly 100 vehicles per week with no incidents, said Sgt. 1st Class Santiago Rodriguez, of Bronte, Texas, battalion motor sergeant. “We have constant NCO supervision,” said Staff Sgt. Steven Berndt, of Elgin, Ill., shop foreman, Company B, of the motor pool run by the company.
Company A also went into overdrive, delivering 112,000 gallons of fuel and 170,000 gallons of water to the joint security stations, said Radu. Drivers for the logistical patrols cross-train on a variety of vehicles so no one gets fatigued on the road, Radu noted in the nomination packet.
“The difference was made by leaders enforcing standards and Soldiers following and complying with instructions,” said Maj. Carmelo Madera, of Guayama, Puerto Rico, executive officer, 589th BSB.
