Westphal, Austin survey battlefield, present awards, thank troops for service

By Lt. Jeffery GrayMarch 12, 2013

Army leaders survey battlefield and thank troops for service
1 / 25 Show Caption + Hide Caption – A close-up shot of the Combat Infantryman Badge recently awarded to Sgt. Cheek by the Vice Chief of Staff of the Army Gen. Lloyd Austin in recognition of his participation of ground combat during his deployment at Camp Eggers, Nov. 20, 2012, Kabul, A... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Army leaders survey battlefield and thank troops for service
2 / 25 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Vice Chief of Staff of the Army Gen. Lloyd Austin pins the Combat Infantryman Badge on to Sgt. Cheek in recognition of his participation of ground combat during his deployment at Camp Eggers, Nov. 20, 2012, Kabul, Afghanistan. The purpose of the vis... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Army leaders survey battlefield and thank troops for service
3 / 25 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Under Secretary of the Army Joseph W. Westphal talks with Soldiers over lunch about the future of the Army at the International Security Assistance Force's headquarters, Nov. 20, 2012, Kabul, Afghanistan. The purpose of of the visit by Westphal and ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Army leaders survey battlefield and thank troops for service
4 / 25 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Under Secretary of the Army Joseph W. Westphal personally thanks 1st Lt. Bashant for all her accomplishments during her deployment at Camp Integrity, Nov. 20, 2012, Kabul, Afghanistan. The purpose of of the visit by Westphal and Vice Chief of Staff ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Army leaders survey battlefield and thank troops for service
5 / 25 Show Caption + Hide Caption – First Sgt Mike Lavigne from the International Security Assistance Force's Joint Command Public Affairs Office listens as Under Secretary of the Army Joseph W. Westphal talks with Soldiers about the future of the Army at the ISAF headquarters, Nov. 20... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Army leaders survey battlefield and thank troops for service
6 / 25 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Under Secretary of the Army Joseph W. Westphal and Vice Chief of Staff of the Army Gen. Lloyd Austin III (centered between flags) thank Soldiers for their participation in developing and increasing the capacity of the Afghan National Security Forces ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Army leaders survey battlefield and thank troops for service
7 / 25 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Vice Chief of Staff of the Army Gen. Lloyd Austin (middle) and Under Secretary of the Army Joseph W. Westphal talk with military doctors, nurses, and staff at the Craig Joint Theater Hospital where about 90 percent of combat injured patients who come... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Army leaders survey battlefield and thank troops for service
8 / 25 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Vice Chief of Staff of the Army Gen. Lloyd Austin awards the Silver Star, the U.S. military's third highest military decoration for valor, to Capt. Brian Kitching, from Bravo Company, 1st Battalion Armored Regiment, Nov. 22, 2012, at Combat Outpost Z... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Army leaders survey battlefield and thank troops for service
9 / 25 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Vice Chief of Staff of the Army Gen. Lloyd Austin meets with Soldiers from Combined Joint Task Force-1 over breakfast to discuss the professionalism of the Army as an institution, Nov. 21, 2012, Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan. The purpose of the visit... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Army leaders survey battlefield and thank troops for service
10 / 25 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Close-up shot of Vice Chief of Staff of the Army Gen. Lloyd J. Austin III awarding the Silver Star, the U.S. military's third highest military decoration for valor, to Capt. Brian Kitching of Bravo Company, 1st Battalion Armored Regiment, for actions... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Army leaders survey battlefield and thank troops for service
11 / 25 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Vice Chief of Staff of the Army Gen. Lloyd Austin talks with Soldiers over lunch about the future of the Army at Jalalabad Airfield, Nov. 21, 2012, Jalalabad, Afghanistan. The purpose of the visit by Under Secretary of the Army Joseph Westphal and Au... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Army leaders survey battlefield and thank troops for service
12 / 25 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Undersecretary of the Army Joseph W. Westphal awards Pfc. Ashley M. Beltnick, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, with the Combat Medical Badge, Nov. 21, 2012, at Forward Operating Base Sharana, Afghanistan, for providing medical... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Army leaders survey battlefield and thank troops for service
13 / 25 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Undersecretary of the Army Joseph W. Westphal preparing to award Pfc. Ashley M. Beltnick, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, with the Combat Medical Badge, Nov. 21, 2012, at Forward Operating Base Sharana, Afghanistan, for provi... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Army leaders survey battlefield and thank troops for service
14 / 25 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Vice Chief of Staff of the Army Gen. Lloyd Austin personally thanks Pfc. Ashley M. Beltnick, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, who was just awarded the Combat Medical Badge for providing medical care under fire, Nov. 21, 2012, ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Army leaders survey battlefield and thank troops for service
15 / 25 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Undersecretary of the Army Joseph W. Westphal presents a coin in appreciation of his service to a Soldier from the 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, during a Thanksgiving visit, Nov. 22, 2012, Combat Outpost Zangabad, Afghanista... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Army leaders survey battlefield and thank troops for service
16 / 25 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Undersecretary of the Army Joseph W. Westphal (right-center) listens to Soldiers' concerns during Thanksgiving dinner, Nov. 22, 2012, Forward Operating Base Pasab, Afghanistan. The purpose of of the visit by Westphal and Vice Chief of Staff of the A... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Army leaders survey battlefield and thank troops for service
17 / 25 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Soldiers look on as the Undersecretary of the Army Joseph W. Westphal and the Vice Chief of Staff of the Army Gen. Lloyd J. Austin III present awards to their fellow comrades, Nov. 22, 2012, Village Stability Platform Degobad, Afghanistan. The purpos... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Army leaders survey battlefield and thank troops for service
18 / 25 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Close-up shot of the Undersecretary of the Army Joseph W. Westphal presenting Spc. James T. Kenny with the Purple Heart for wounds he sustained in battle, Nov. 22, 2012, Village Stability Platform Degobad, Afghanistan. The purpose of of the visit by... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Army leaders survey battlefield and thank troops for service
19 / 25 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Undersecretary of the Army Joseph W. Westphal presenting Spc. Cody L. Ransom with a certificate of Honorable Discharge, just before he is to be re-enlisted into the Army, Nov. 22, 2012, at Village Stability Platform Degobad, Afghanistan. The purpose... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Army leaders survey battlefield and thank troops for service
20 / 25 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Vice Chief of Staff of the Army Gen. Lloyd Austin administers the oath of enlistment to Spc. Zackary Hamilton, during a Thanksgiving visit, Nov. 22, 2012, at Combat Outpost Siah Choy, Afghanistan. The purpose of the visit by Under Secretary of the Ar... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Army leaders survey battlefield and thank troops for service
21 / 25 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Soldiers of A Company, 1st Infantry Regiment, 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, listen as the Undersecretary of the Army Joseph W. Westphal and the Vice Chief of Staff of the Army Gen. Lloyd Austin III talk about the future of t... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Army leaders survey battlefield and thank troops for service
22 / 25 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Undersecretary of the Army Joseph W. Westphal (middle left) and the Vice Chief of Staff of the Army Gen. Lloyd Austin (middle right) listen to Soldiers' concerns during Thanksgiving dinner, Nov. 22, 2012, at Forward Operating Base Pasab, Afghanistan.... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Army leaders survey battlefield and thank troops for service
23 / 25 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Undersecretary of the Army Joseph W. Westphal greeting Spc. Russell at the Warrior Recovery Center, where the region's injured service members are treated and rehabilitated before they can head back to their units in the field, Nov. 22, 2012, at Kand... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Army leaders survey battlefield and thank troops for service
24 / 25 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Under Secretary of the Army Joseph W. Westphal personally thanks a Soldier who works with the 704th Brigade Support Battalion, Forward Surgical Team at Jalalabad Airfield, Nov. 21, 2012, Jalalabad, Afghanistan. The purpose of of the visit by Westpha... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Army leaders survey battlefield and thank troops for service
25 / 25 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Under Secretary of the Army Joseph W. Westphal meets with Soldiers from Combined Joint Task Force-1 over breakfast to discuss the professionalism of the Army as an institution, Nov. 21, 2012, Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan. The purpose of of the visit... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

KABUL, Afghanistan (Nov. 25, 2012) -- The Army's second highest ranking civilian and military leaders met with American and NATO leadership at regional commands, hospitals, forward operating bases, and support units throughout eastern and southern Afghanistan, and thanked service members, civilians, and contractors for their hard work and sacrifice during a three-day visit, Nov. 20-23, 2012.

Joseph W. Westphal, undersecretary of the Army, and Gen. Lloyd J. Austin, vice chief of staff of

the Army, visited Afghanistan to gain first-hand knowledge of the conditions and status of the gradual withdrawal of troops and equipment. They also recognized exceptional soldiers and civilians, thanking them for their hard work and sacrifices, especially during this Thanksgiving holiday.

"Managing the enterprise from the Pentagon is one thing," said Westphal. "You have to get out into the field in order to understand what's going on, how things are shaping-up, and where things are moving. Talking to the troops, both military and civilians, who are on the ground you get a better sense of what is happening."

"Additionally, it's Thanksgiving and we have thousands of Soldiers and civilians throughout Afghanistan who are going to spend Thanksgiving away from the families and friends," Westphal continued. "We need to come out here and tell them how much we appreciate what they do every day."

While in International Security Assistance Force's, or ISAF's, Regional Command -- Capital in Kabul, both Westphal and Austin met with leadership at the International Joint Command, spoke to troops about the future of the Army at ISAF's headquarters, learned about the successes of developing and increasing the capacity of the Afghan National Security Force at the NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan, and learned about the lawful work of Special Operations Joint Command to track down the bad guys in Afghanistan.

At ISAF's Regional Command -- East in Bagram, Westphal and Austin met with doctors, nurses, and staff at the Craig Joint Theater Hospital and learned that 90 percent of combat injured patients who come through the hospital return to duty.

They also inspected and learned about the processes of the retrograde facilities of the 401st Army Field Support Brigade and retrosort yard of the 18th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion.

While visiting troops in Regional Command -- East Westphal awarded Pfc. Ashley M. Beltinck with the Combat Medical Badge for providing medical care under fire.

During their visit to Zangaband, with Combat Outpost Sperwan Ghar, Austin had the honor of awarding the Silver Star, the U.S. military's third highest military decoration for valor, to Army Capt. Brian Kitching of Bravo Company, 1st Battalion Armored Regiment, from Lincoln, Neb. Kitching was awarded the Silver Star for actions taken while leading his platoon during a hostile engagement with the enemy, resulting in the unit sustaining heavy casualties.

"Being awarded the Silver Star by General Austin was a humbling and bitter sweet experience," said Kitching. "Bitter sweet in the sense that we sustained some casualties during that operation, but humbling in the sense that General Austin is a role model of mine, and it was truly an honor to have him present me with the medal."

Speaking to Soldiers gathered for an awards and re-enlistment ceremony at Pasab, Austin said, "Any time you are recognized [it] is special, especially when it's in front of your peers. That makes it more special. Being recognized in front of your peers in a combat zone is a tremendous [honor]."

Following a re-enlistment ceremony, Austin spoke to the Soldiers.

"We are thrilled to be here and spend Thanksgiving Day with you," he said. "We are grateful for all of the things you continue to do for our country. You do important work, you do critical work, and you are making a tremendous difference for this region of the world, for this country, and that difference will remain forever."

Related Links:

Westphal, Austin visit, thank troops in southern Afghanistan Thanksgiving Day

Westphal, Austin visit wounded warriors at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center

Under Secretary of the Army Joseph W. Westphal

Vice Chief of Staff of the Army Gen. Lloyd J. Austin III

Army.mil: Current Operations News

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