SPONSOR:

Rep. Brady & Rep. Atkins & Rep. Jaques; on behalf of all Representatives & Sen. Bunting; on behalf of all Senators

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

145th GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 48

WELCOMING HOME THE MEMBERS OF THE DELAWARE ARMY NATIONAL GUARD'S 262^nd COMPONENT REPAIR COMPANY AND EXPRESSING THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY'S SINCERE APPRECIATION FOR THEIR HEROIC SERVICE IN IRAQ.

WHEREAS, in September, 2008, the Delaware Army National Guard’s 262^nd Component Repair Company, headquartered in Dagsboro, was sourced for deployment to augment Oregon’s 41^st Infantry Brigade Combat Team; and

WHEREAS, in November, 2008, the 262^nd was notified that its mission would be conducting Convey Security Operations in southern Iraq, providing security for logistics convoys throughout the theater; and

WHEREAS, over the next six months, the members of the 262^nd completed extensive pre-mobilization training, including several Army Warrior Tasks and Battle Drills, in Delaware, Fort Indian Gap, Pennsylvania, and Camp Roberts, California; and

WHEREAS, in May, 2009, the Soldiers of the 262^nd were deployed to Fort Stewart, Georgia, for an additional eight weeks of training before their departure to Kuwait in July, 2009; and

WHEREAS, after becoming proficient on three different vehicle platforms and completing driver courses, convoy security lane training, weapons live fire drills and advanced medical exercises, the 262^nd was deployed to Tallil, Iraq, to conduct security operations; and

WHEREAS, over the next nine months, the unit’s convoy security mission took the Soldiers of the 262^nd to numerous Contigency Operation Bases in southern Iraq, including Baghdad, Al Asad, Taji, Balad, Kalsu, Scania, Delta, Echo, Cedar, Basrah, Bucca and COB Adder; and

WHEREAS, the 262^nd’s four Convoy Escort Teams completed nearly 150 convoy security missions between August 1, 2009, and April 6, 2010, securing more than 5,800 personnel and over 4000 logistic vehicles while covering more than 250,000 miles through some of the most dangerous routes in Iraq; and

WHEREAS, the maintenance section of the 262^nd maintained over 70 vehicles throughout the deployment without missing a single mission; and

WHERAS, during deployment, the members of the 262^nd received enemy attacks from small arms fire, indirect fire, improvised explosive devices and explosively formed projectiles; and

WHEREAS, the Soldiers of 262^nd served with honor and distinction during their deployment, being awarded eleven Bronze Star Medals, one hundred and fourteen Army Commendation Medals, fifteen Army Achievement Medals, twenty-nine Drivers Badges and seventy six Combat Action Badges; and

WHEREAS, all 140 members of the 262^nd have returned home safely to their families and loved-ones.

NOW, THEREFORE:

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the 145 General Assembly of the State of Delaware, the Senate concurring therein, that the members hereby welcome home the men and women of the Delaware Army National Guard’s 262^nd Component Repair Company.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that all members of the 145^th General Assembly of the State of Delaware hereby express their sincere appreciation for heroic service of the Soldiers of the 262^nd Component Repair Company in Iraq.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that, upon passage, a suitably prepared and duly authenticated copy of this Concurrent Resolution be presented to Major General Francis S. Vavala, Adjutant General of the Delaware National Guard, and Captain Gary J. Nelson, Commander of the Delaware Army National Guard’s 262 Component Repair Company.

SYNOPSIS

This House Concurrent Resolution welcomes home the members of the Delaware Army National Guard’s 262^nd Component Repair Company and expresses the General Assembly’s sincere appreciation for their heroic service in Iraq.