Gen. Darren W. McDew, U.S. Transportation Command commander, presented the service members and civilians of USTRANSCOM Feb. 11, with the Joint Meritorious Unit Award for exceptionally meritorious service - the 11th such award since 1987.
Presented by the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, the gold-framed ribbon is for U.S. military members who were assigned to the headquarters between Jan. 1, 2011 to Dec. 31, 2014.
McDew attached the streamer denoting the command's achievement to the staff of the command flag before an audience that represented the 118,000 men and women of USTRANSCOM’s service components: U.S. Navy Military Sealift Command (MSC), Air Mobility Command (AMC) and Surface Deployment and Distribution Command (SDDC).
According to the citation, the command completed more than 15 million shipments, moving 110 million short tons of cargo, transferring 6 billion gallons of fuel, and the deployment of more than 1,800 specialists in direct support of global operations.
Global operations that the command participated in during that time period include crisis response to the chemical weapons in Syria, where, the command modified Motor Vessel (MV) Cape Ray to neutralize 600 tons of deadly chemical agents.
During this time, the command also orchestrated deployment of contingency response forces and synchronized aerial delivery of 35,000 gallons of water and 116,000 meals to beleaguered Iraqis, in order to help degrade the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL/ISIS).
Additionally, command personnel fought the spread of Ebola in Africa by ensuring timely deployment of a more than 2,800 American response force. Through this response force, the command choreographed development of the Transportation Isolation System to transport exposed or symptomatic patients from a biological outbreak anywhere in the world within 72 hours.
"I don't know of an organization that has worked harder than USTRANSCOM in the last three years," said McDew. "I am extremely proud of the men and women of USTRANSCOM and how they enable worldwide operations and contingency response with great pride and professionalism. This significant recognition reflects the outstanding success of our command and the Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, Airmen, Coast Guardsmen and civilians who ensure that together, we deliver."
Members of the Armed Forces of the United States who were permanently assigned or attached by official orders to USTRANSCOM during this time are eligible to wear the ribbon.
Previously awarded JMUAs to USTRANSCOM include:
March 1, 2007 through Feb. 28 2010
May 29, 2004 through Feb. 28, 2007
Aug. 1, 2002 through May 28, 2004
Sept. 11, 2001 through July 31, 2002
May 2, 1999 through Aug. 31 2001
Oct. 1, 1997 through May 1, 1999
July 1, 1993 through June 30, 1996
Aug. 1, 1991 through June 30, 1993
Aug. 2, 1990 through July 31, 1991
