Transportation Soldiers double-up on safety

By 3d Expeditionary Sustainment Command public affairsJuly 16, 2009

Transportation Soldiers double-up on safety
1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Col. Martin B. Pitts, commander, 16th Sustainment Brigade, ties a green safety streamer to the guidon of 51st Transportation Company, 30th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 16th Sust. Bde., during a ceremony at the Morale, Welfare and Recreation ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Transportation Soldiers double-up on safety
2 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Col. Martin B. Pitts, commander, 16th Sustainment Brigade, presents Capt. Paul Moran, 574th Quartermaster Company, 30th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 16th Sust. Bde., with a certificate of appreciation for going 90 days without an accident, d... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE Q-WEST, Iraq - Col. Martin B. Pitts, commander, 16th Sustainment Brigade, tied green safety streamers to the guidons of two companies from the 30th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 16th Sust. Bde., during a ceremony at the Morale, Welfare and Recreation base complex here June 30.

Pitts awarded a green safety streamer to the 574th Quartermaster Company for going 90-days without an accident. The Soldiers of the 574th QM Co., based out of Grafenwoehr, Germany, are on a 15-month deployment.

The brigade commander also awarded a green safety streamer to the 51st Transportation Co., for going 180 days without an accident. It was the second safety streamer awarded to the Mannheim, Germany-based unit. The transportation Soldiers assumed authority July 2008, and are also on a 15-month deployment.

After tying streamers to the guidons, and presenting the units with certificates of appreciation, Pitts huddled the Soldiers around him and spoke a few words.

"You all have made safety a lifestyle," said Pitts. "But don't rest on your laurels. Take what you have learned and apply it forward. Don't lose your edge; you want to own the edge. Manage your risk and continue to stay engaged."

Capt. Joshua Kerton, commander, 51st Trans. Co., said he was proud of his Soldiers, who were the first in the brigade to earn two safety streamers, the first for 90 days, the second for 180 days.

"It's just a great achievement that shows how dedicated our Soldiers are to each other and to accomplishing this mission," said Kerton.

The 16th Sust. Bde., based out of Bamberg, Germany, assumed authority for Q-West and for logistics operations in northern Iraq after an Aug. 2008, transfer of authority ceremony. The brigade is on a 15-month deployment.