Hundreds to be honored for Nov 5 heroics
There is a long military tradition of recognizing servicemembers and civilians alike for their exceptional service with awards or decorations. We see the results of this as Soldiers return from combat and they proudly display their symbols of service and sacrifice on their dress uniforms. While no one could have even anticipated a requirement for bravery or heroism awards here at home, the need is very real and well deserved none the less. The III Corps and Fort Hood commander´s intent is that all units begin scheduling awards ceremonies for personnel approved for unit-level awards. These awards include Certificates of Achievement, the Achievement Medal for Civilian Service, the Army Achievement Medal and the Army Commendation Medal. Soldiers and civilians who have been approved for these awards will be presented with their medals during the appropriate unit, garrison or hospital ceremony.

Air Cav reaches 20,000 flight-hour milestone
CAMP TAJI, Iraq – Hitting a milestone Sunday, multiple units operating out of a single hub have provided ground commanders in and around Baghdad with 20,000 hours worth of aerial coverage. Unmanned aerial vehicle operators and maintainers from the 10th Mountain Division, 3rd Infantry Division and 2nd Infantry Division came united under the roof of Company G, 2nd Battalion, 227th Aviation Regiment, 1st Air Cavalry Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, U.S. Division – Center, to act as the center of operations for all launches, landings and maintenance required to keep the Shadow UAVs in the air.

Thousands treated to free steak, fixings
Soldiers started lining up at 11 a.m. as the smell of steak wafted down the block from Freeman Dining Facility. Steak Team Mission, a Texas-based volunteer group, donated and served 10,000 free steaks March 3 at the Operation Iraqi Freedom, Theodore Roosevelt and Freeman Dining Facilities as their way of thanking the troops. The group is led by Harvey Gough, who served 33 years in the Texas National Guard and owned a hamburger joint in Dallas for 50 years, Tony Booth, one of the lead volunteers, said. “(Gough) called me in ´02 and said, ‘Hey, you want to cook steaks for Soldiers?´ And I said sure. He called me back a little later. ‘You want to cook steaks for Soldiers in Afghanistan?´ And I said ‘Oh (heck) yes. Let´s go.´”

Aerial security
Sgt. 1st Class James Lee, an aerial gunner with Co. B, 1-169 Avn. Regt., provides aerial security Feb. 24 from the rear door of a CH-47 Chinook helicopter over the Khost Province, Afghanistan. Chinook helicopters are one of the primary air platforms for moving troops and supplies throughout Afghanistan.

Senate resolution celebrates women in military
WASHINGTON – During the Joint Services Women´s History Month Observance on Capitol Hill March 4, a Senate resolution to recognize the accomplishments of women in the military was presented and then accepted by a female wounded warrior. Sgt. 1st Class Juanita Wilson, who lost her left arm in 2004 after an improvised explosive device hit her convoy in Iraq, accepted the resolution on behalf of “each and every woman that´s served in the U.S. military.” The resolution was introduced by Sen. Barbara Boxer of California.

Gates says national parliamentary elections show Iraq’s peaceful progress
ABOARD A U.S. MILITARY AIRCRAFT – The Iraqi election process shows how far the country has come, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said here Sunday. Gates received reports on the Iraqi election from Army Gen. Ray Odierno, the U.S. commander in the country. Odierno had expected a high number of high-profile attacks as al-Qaida attempted to disrupt the elections and keep Iraqis from the polls.