JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq - The 80th Ordnance Battalion, from Ft. Lewis, Wash., conducted a combat patch ceremony here July 7, to recognizing 30-consecutive days in a combat zone.
Lt. Col. Christopher O. Mohan, the 80th Ord. Bn. commander, placed the first combat patch on the right sleeve of Capt. Channing G. McGee, from Florence, Ala., the 80th Ord. Bn.'s Headquarters and Headquarters detachment commander. After Mohan's proudly gesture, he watched as each Soldier in the battalion put on, earns their patches.
Mohan placed two requirements on the Soldiers before being allowed to don their combat patches. The first requirement was that the Soldiers serve for at least 30 days in Iraq. The second requirement was that, "they prove they're a fully functional Headquarters capable of conducting their wartime mission," said Mohan.
After the 80th Ord. Bn. replaced the 259th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion in June, Mohan said his Soldiers had proved themselves.
"Since the day we arrived, I've been nothing but impressed with how quickly our team took the reins and started practicing 'offensive logistics'- characterized by aggressive problem solving, and a focus on utilizing all our capabilities across the battalion to accomplish our mission," Mohan said.
An Army combat patch is worn on the right shoulder sleeve of a Soldier's uniform to indicate a unit's participation in or support of, overseas ground combat operations against hostile forces where Soldiers were exposed to the threat of enemy action or fire, either directly or indirectly.
The 80th Ord. Bn. Soldiers were excited to don the 593rd Sustainment Brigade patch. The unit falls underneath the 593rd at Fort Lewis.
The patch includes five stars commemorating five campaigns the 593rd has participated in: World War I, Vietnam, Desert Storm, Somalia and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Mount Rainer is also on the patch to symbolize the 30 years the Brigade has spent at Fort Lewis, Wash., while the three spears then overlap to create an "X" that is next to an "I" to represent the Roman numeral "IX," or nine.
The patches' Roman numeral nine, three spears and five stars signify the number 593, the Brigade's numeric designation.
Mohan congratulated his Soldiers on earning the wear of the 593rd Sust. Bde. patch.
"You have earned the right to wear your combat patch, so I ask you to do so with pride," Mohan said. "Congratulations and thank you for all that you do every day for our country. I'm proud to be a part of your formation."
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