FOB KALSU, Iraq – The 172nd infantry brigade won the 2009 annual Army Chief of Staff Deployment Excellence Award, active Army Operational (large unit) category.
The “Blackhawk Brigade” underwent the process of observation and judging by logistics experts, who selected the 172nd Inf. Bde., based in Grafenwoehr, Germany for its logistical excellence during its deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2008-2009.
“Deployment excellence recognition means a lot to logisticians, because deployment is the Super Bowl for logisticians,” said Maj. Maurice O. Alsing III, a multi-functional logistician involved in the brigade’s deployment. “Most of our issues were alleviated with good leadership up front and the brigade commander’s primary guidance of accounting for all equipment and personnel during this deployment.”
“Our brigade was supported by U.S. Army Europe and the garrisons of Schweinfurt and Grafenwoehr,” stated Alsing. “Everyone in the brigade is involved in the planning and execution of a deployment because the process touches each of us.”
Representing the 172nd Infantry Brigade at the June awards presentations in Washington, D.C. will be Major Patrick R. Arends, the Blackhawk Brigade logistics officer and native of Colombia, Missouri and Master Sgt. William F. Fox from the brigade’s rear detachment, Task Force Shield.
