Coast Guard element awarded national honor
The award was presented for the unit's attaining and maintaining the highest unit readiness level in command history while providing unprecedented valuable augmentation fulfilling USTRANSCOM's staffing requirements.
Rear Adm. R. Dennis Sirois, director of Reserves and Training for U.S. Coast Guard, presented the award.
"The Coast Guard Unit Commendation is presented in recognition of this Coast Guard Reserve unit's unprecedented example of personnel initiative, readiness and professionalism," Sirois said. "This award is one of the few signed by the Coast Guard Commandant personally. Your efforts were integral to USTRANSCOM's successful performance, the Coast Guard is most proud of you and your efforts, you should be too."
Capt. William Van Orden, Coast Guard element commanding officer, accepted the award on behalf of the JTRU's Coast Guard members.
"We are overwhelmed and pleased at the recognition of our efforts here at USTRANSCOM, " Van Orden said.
The award was presented for exceptional accomplishment during a three-year period from January 1997 to January 2000.
"During this period of unprecedented OPTEMPO requirements, the Coast Guard Element's Officer and Enlisted members distinguished contribution was integral to the successful performance of USTRANSCOM and it's mission," said Rear Adm. Thomas Hill, former JTRU commander. "This unit demonstrated exceptional leadership and dedication to duty within this highly visible Joint Service environment."
The Coast Guard element is the first and only Coast Guard reserve unit serving at a joint command. Its 23 members contributed 722 workdays in FY 2000 to JTRU
USTRANSCOM's mission is to provide one-stop global transportation to DOD in peace and war.
USTRANSCOM JTRU, the first Department of Defense-authorized joint reserve unit, was activated in September 1991. The unit has more than 185 Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine and Naval reservists who supplement USTRANSCOM active and civilian full-time staff during peak operations or as needed throughout the year.
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