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USTRANSCOM receives Joint Meritorious Unit Award
Opening the ceremony attended by members of the command and honored guests USTRANSCOM Commander Gen. Duncan J. McNabb, introduced Petraeus.
"Mr. Secretary, I want to thank you for personally flying out to Scott Air Force Base today to recognize the great transportation nation," Patraeus said. "Nobody deserves this honor more. And thanks as well Mr. Secretary, for the opportunity to part of this ceremony and to relay to TRANSCOM a heartfelt congratulations and well done from the more than 210,000 soldiers sailors airman Marines and Coastguardsmen deployed to the CENTCOM AOR. Troopers who know they're shipmates, fellow soldiers, Marines, Coastguardsmen and airmen at TRANSCOM always come through when needed.
"This award is exceedingly well deserved," Petraeus continued. "This is your day. And I'm here to say thanks for all that you do for your fellow troopers around the world. Thanks for all that you do for our nation. And above all, congratulations on the well deserved recognition you are receiving today."
Gates echoed Petraeus congratulations as he prepared to present the award, which is granted to joint activities for meritorious achievement or service, superior to that which is normally expected, for actions in the following situations; combat with an armed enemy of the United States, a declared national emergency or under extraordinary circumstances that involve national interests.
"I am glad to get the chance to be here today," said Gates, "to have the opportunity to present the Joint Meritorious Unit Award to the men and women of the United States Transportation Command. You should know that this award is the first and only award that I have personally issued in my three-plus years as Secretary of Defense."
According to the citation accompanying the award, "Headquarters, United States Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM) distinguished itself by exceptionally meritorious achievement from 1 March 2007 to 28 February 2010. During this period, the Command consistently displayed exceptional collaborative leadership and execution of wartime missions for United States forces engaged in Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom.
"The Command's three components--Air Mobility Command, Military Sealift Command, and Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command--carried over 5 million passengers, 25 thousand patients, and 7.5 million short tons in support of United States Central Command's two main operations," the citation continued.
"USTRANSCOM expedited the delivery of thousands of sets of individual body armor, armored vehicles, and supplemental armor kits, in addition to supporting troop surges in both Iraq and Afghanistan."
Pentagon Press Secretary Geoff Morrell told Pentagon reporters March 30, "Secretary Gates believes the members of TRANSCOM are among the unsung heroes of our military efforts around the world, and this award allows him to personally thank this dedicated and unheralded team of professionals.
"Beyond the battlefield, TRANSCOM also played an instrumental role in U.S. relief efforts in Haiti following the devastating earthquake there last month," Morrell said.
"In responding to the catastrophic earthquake in Haiti, TRANSCOM has provided over 2 million meals, more than 5 million liters of water to the island, in ongoing humanitarian and disaster-relief operations."
McNabb thanked Gates and Petraeus and lauded the efforts of those under his command.
"You have honored us today by your presence and your words," McNabb said. "And we are humbled by the trust you have in us. We will strive to always, always be worthy of that trust."
U.S. Rep. Jerry Costello (D-Belleville) Jerry Costello, several local mayors and community leaders also attended the ceremony
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