SGT Andrew E. Okemwa 172d ABLE Co 3-66 Soldier of the Week 27 May 2012

SGT Andrew E. Okemwa

SGT Okemwa, a native of Nirobi, Kenya, has demonstrated a commitment to the 172D Brigade which distinguished him from his peers.

SGT Okemwa, the son of David and Salone Okemwa, joined the Army in July 2007.  He joined the Army to make a better life for his family.  He has taken advantage of the opportunity to continue his college education and earn his American citizenship while do his part in the Global War on Terrorism.

SGT Okemwa deployed to Afghanistan with Alpha Company, 3-66 Armor, Task Force 1-2 Infantry as the company supply sergeant.  He has been instrumental in the success of the company through the thorough accountability of all property.  He is the only supply sergeant in the Battalion that has not had to conduct a Financial Liability Investigation for Property Loss (FLIPL) throughout the year long deployment.

The company displaced to three provinces which resulted in company-level property book transfers of Theater Provided Equipment.  Additionally, he managed the issue, accountability, and turn-in of 100% of the company’s plate carriers.  His attention to detail while processing documentation was flawless; SGT Okemwa has proven that he a competent combat proven logistician.

SGT Okemwa is also an outstanding leader of Soldiers.  During temporary assignment to Bagram Airfield (BAF), he helped to process 173 Soldiers through the passenger terminal as they departed for, and returned, from Environmental Morale Leave.  He kept 100% accountability of their sensitive items on BAF during their absence.  Additionally, he led physical fitness training for the headquarters Soldiers; his morale and sincere desire to improve the overall fitness of the Soldiers he works with is exceptional.  His performance during the deployment has resulted in the recommendation for him to be presented to the Staff Sergeant promotion board in July 2012.

SGT Justin "Doc" Henry 172d ABLE Co 3-66 Soldier of the Week 14 April 2012

SGT Justin "Doc" Henry

SGT Henry, 24, is the proud son of Debrah Wetzle.  After studying Criminal Justice for a year at a community college, he made the choice to serve his nation during a time of war.  He enlisted in the National Guard as a Chemical Equipment Repair Specialist in 2006.

SGT Henry wanted a greater challenge; he became an 11B, Infantryman when he joined the Army full-time in 2008.  He earned the Combat Infantryman Badge while deployed to Afghanistan a year later.  His mettle was tested and proved under fire; also, he witnessed how significant of a role the combat medic has during Infantry operations.  That epiphany resulted in a request to change his Military Occupational Specialty to 68W, Health Care Specialist.

As a Combat Medic, SGT Henry provided medical coverage for 3^rd platoon, ABLE Company during Operation Enduring Freedom XI-XII.  He continuously conducted preventive medicine operations which kept his platoon fit to fight throughout the year-long deployment.  SGT Henry provided exceptional amounts of personal attention to the individual needs of his brothers-in-arms.

SGT Henry earned the esteemed Combat Medic Badge in September of 2011.  He used his experience from previous mountain warfare operations to emplace a fortified platoon-level casualty collection point on top of jagged ridgeline.  He dug-in, filled sand bags, and camouflaged the CCP which resulted in his being able to sustain the platoon’s medical readiness during a five days long blocking position.  After a firefight with the enemy during the first day, SGT Henry assessed the platoon and ensured it was able to complete its mission.

SGT Henry is a hybrid Soldier.  He is an experienced Infantryman who has previously closed with and engaged the enemy; he knows the kinetic fight and can position himself to best serve his Soldiers as their Combat Medic.  SGT Henry is a unique and accomplished NCO who brings great credit upon himself and the Blackhawk Brigade.

SPC Erik Wiley 172d ABLE Co 3-66 Soldier of the Week 7 April 2012

SPC Erik Wiley

Duty Position and MOS: Team Leader, 11B

 SPC Wiley has performed above his peers while serving with the 172^ND Blackhawk Brigade.

SPC Erik Wiley is the pride of his parents Connie Roberts and Landon Wiley.  He played linebacker and point guard on his high school football and basketball team.  His participation in team sports prepared him for the brotherly commitment that came with serving in the Infantry.

SPC Wiley enlisted in the Army as an 11B, Infantryman in January of 2010.  Prior to deploying to Afghanistan, he was hand selected to be trained to operate as a member of a mortar team.  His ability to quickly master the conduct of indirect fires during Infantry operations resulted in assignment to the headquarters platoon of Bravo Company, 1-2 Infantry as a gunline squad leader.

SPC Wiley had the honor of maintaining and operating the Venom Company Battle-Gator (VCBG), a custom built weaponized utility vehicle that was armed with a belt-fed, fully-automatic 40mm grenade launcher and a .50 caliber machine gun.  He conducted four air assault operations in which he was inserted into enemy controlled terrain by dismounting the VCBG from a Chinook helicopter during hours of limited visibility.  Once in the support by fire position, he emplaced his 60mm mortar system and was prepared to immediately suppress any enemy which dared to engage Venom Company.

SPC Wiley demonstrated outstanding leadership in the performance of his duties as a mortarman and headquarters “go-to” guy; this resulted in his selection for promotion to Sergeant ahead of his peers.

Currently, SPC Wiley is assigned as a Team Leader for Alpha Company, 3-66 AR, TF 1-2 IN on FOB XXXX.  He represents the third generation of Wiley to serve his country during wartime, he is a true American patriot and stellar icon for his Blue Star Mom!   Blackhawk.

SPC Williams 172d ABLE Co 3-66 Soldier of the Week 31 March 2012

SPC Williams

SPC Williams has demonstrated a commitment to the 172D Brigade which distinguished him from his peers.

SPC Williams graduated from Southern Tech in August of 2009 with a BS in Business and a minor in Engineering.  Upon graduation from college, his call to valor and patriotism lead him to enlist in the Army as a 19K Armor Crewman in March of 2010.

SPC Williams has participated in four air assault operations in the rugged mountains of XXXX Province, Afghanistan.  He carried combat loads in excess of 100 pounds during missions that lasted over five days each.  He wrote analysis of the enemy activity he observed as well as the patterns of life of the local communities.  His analysis helped the company commander to understand the company’s battle space which resulted in the company’s success by disrupting enemy operations in the Battalion’s Area of Operation.

In December of 2011, at his new home at FOB XXXX, SPC Williams headed the CoIST team for ABLE Company.  While in charge, he was able to implement procedures that standardized reporting for the company.  He helps the commander to write the daily Blue One report by ensuring that relevant data is extracted from the patrols briefs.  SPC Williams is responsible for analyzing Able Company’s battle space to determine threats to our forces and company mission.  Through his attention to detail, he is able to accurately inform the commander and the platoon leaders of intelligence passed down from Battalion, and to inform Battalion of intelligence gathered from daily patrols.

Physical fitness is a high priority for SPC Williams; he understands the importance of being fit to fight.  Weighing in at 160 pounds, he bench pressed an impressive 315 pounds and ran five miles in less than 40 minutes.  SPC Williams set the benchmark for all Soldiers to emulate.

SPC Williams was engaged by the enemy during multiple air assault operations; these events helped to give him an operational understanding of the battlefield which enabled him to transcend merely conducting analytical analysis.  His personal experience during combat operations resulted in the award of the Combat Action Badge and developed him into a well-rounded asset for the Blackhawk Brigade.

SPC Bishop Hunter 172d ABLE Co 3-66 Soldier of the Week 23 March 2012

My dear friend Bob Connolly and I have been sending support to the men of ABLE Company over the past few months.  Just this week the 1SG began to send me emails regarding "Soldier of the Week".  I wish he'd done this sooner.

So here is the first one:

SPC Hunter K Bishop

SPC Bishop, Machine Gunner, 11B, has demonstrated a commitment to the 172d Brigade which distinguished him from his peers.

SPC Hunter Bishop is the youngest son of Ky and Terri Bishop.  He landed the lead role and starred in the independent movie Chasing Case.  Despite a shot at stardom, a patriotic calling to duty led him to enlist in the Army as an Infantryman in April 2010.

SPC Bishop has participated in four air assault operations in the rugged mountains of XXXX Province, Afghanistan.  He carried combat loads in excess of 100 pounds during missions that lasted over five days each.  In XXXX Province he conducted over 100 foot patrols, lasting over four hours each, through an agricultural based landscape laden with wide trenches as deep as 30 feet.  SPC Bishop inspired his battle buddies to perform to highest standards possible by setting a perfect example on a daily basis during operations that were partnered with the Afghan National Forces.

Physical fitness is a high priority for SPC Bishop; he understood the importance of being fit to fight.  While conducting rigorous combat operations, he scored 265 points on an Army Physical Fitness test conducted at over 7000 feet of elevation with an ambient temperature of 35 degrees Fahrenheit.  SPC Bishop always volunteered to help his platoon complete their missions during the worst weather conditions, hot or cold.  His sense of duty and pride in being part of a team are the hallmark of what makes this Soldier stand out from the formation.

His personal experience during numerous combat operations inspired the permanent artwork which adorns his right shoulder and bicep.  In XXX the 172d BCT will case its colors; SPC Bishop will proudly continue to carry the symbol of the 172d and share his story as part of the Blackhawk Brigade.