Australian officer presented with 28 combat awards

By Sgt. George Welcome, 101st Combat Aviation Brigade Public AffairsJuly 21, 2009

Publish the orders
101st Airborne Division commanding general, Maj. Gen. Jeffrey J. Schloesser presents the Bronze Star Medal to Australian army Maj. Jason Duggan, of Task Group 633.7. Duggan and his soldiers supported Task Force Eagle Assault, of the 101st Combat Avia... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

The Soldiers of the 101st Combat Aviation Brigade and other distinguished guests were in attendance at McAuliffe Hall, July 20 for a special awards presentation ceremony. 101st Airborne Division commander, Maj. Gen. Jeffrey Schloesser presented Australian army Maj. Jason Duggan with the Bronze Star Medal for his dedicated service as the commander of Task Group 633.7, a 65-member CH-47 detachment assigned to Task Force Eagle Assault, Kandahar during Operation Enduring Freedom IX. In addition to his own award, Duggan was presented with certificates for seven Air Medals and 20 Army Commendation Medals, on behalf of the soldiers of Task Group 633.7 whose tireless efforts helped Eagle Assault maintain a high rate of aviation support. Task Group 633.7 provided two CH-47 Chinooks to Task Force Eagle Assault, as well as operational support in planning missions. Their expertise in maintenance helped to keep Task Force's Chinooks ready to support coalition forces in the region. The ceremony was held not only to recognize Task Group 633.7's contributions during OEF IX, it also highlighted the long standing, genuine friendship between the United States and Australia, during wartime and in peace. "If you look behind me at the campaign ribbons of the 101st, you'll find that many of those battles were fought alongside our Australian comrades," Schloesser said to the attendees. "This is a great opportunity to recognize not only Jason, but all the soldiers he is representing," said Schloesser. "These awards are small tokens of our thanks; small tokens of service in combat against a determined enemy in Afghanistan, and in service of the Afghan people." To earn the awards, the soldiers had to serve at least 12 months in a deployed location. Starting in 2006, groups of soldiers from Task Group 633.7 had served with the aviation elements of the 10th Mountain Division, 82nd Airborne Division and the 101st during three separate deployment rotations. "I was honored and humbled to be notified that my soldiers and I were going to be acknowledged for the work we've done over the past few years," said Duggan during his address. "It's been an honor and a privilege to serve with the 101st during the past year. This is not only personally rewarding for myself, but for my soldiers, who similar to yourselves have been on multiple deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan."