JOHNSTON, Iowa – Two units assigned to the Iowa Army National Guard’s 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 34th Infantry Division “Red Bulls,” were recognized for supply and deployment excellence Nov. 4.

The Combined Logistics Excellence Awards program is conducted each year by the U.S. Army Chief of Staff’s office to identify and reward units that go above and beyond in accomplishing their missions. Gen. James C. McConville, the 40th U.S. Army chief of staff, recognized the two Iowa units and stressed that successful logistic operations play a critical role in today’s battlefields.

“Amateurs talk tactics, but professionals talk logistics,” said McConville. “You can have the best weapons systems on Earth, but without fuel, parts or ammunition, they might as well be paperweights on the side of the road. You have proven that you are both highly trained, cohesive teams and true masters of your craft.”

A culture of mentorship

The 334th Brigade Support Battalion was awarded runner-up for the 2021 Supply Excellence Award (SEA) in the brigade/battalion category. The battalion includes three core supply companies and five forward support companies that support specific Iowa units in all their supply needs.

Sgt. 1st Class Abraham Saleh was the senior logistician when the battalion began building the SEA packet. When he started the position, he knew he wanted to take a more hands-on approach with training, and senior leaders in the battalion got on board with his vision.

Saleh began traveling across the state to help each company’s supply sergeants work through problems and deepen their understanding of supply operations.

“People really started to get motivated, to want to be better than our peers,” said Saleh, “and then we started putting in for other events, like the culinary competitions. The change in culture was apparent, and they really went above and beyond.”

Preparing for the SEA and other competitions required hard work and sacrifices. Sgt. 1st Class Jacob Labate was the supply sergeant for Company A in Cedar Rapids throughout most of the award process. Labate credited Saleh for giving him the confidence and motivation to perform at his best.

“He spent countless hours away from his family working late nights making sure we were up to snuff,” said Labate. “He dedicated those two years ensuring we were growing within our careers.”

Saleh recognized the importance of looking past numbers, checklists and operating procedures and remembering that when they do everything right, they ensure Soldiers are fed, clothed and armed.

Deploying during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic

Headquarters & Headquarters Company of the 2/34th IBCT was awarded the 2021 Deployment Excellence Award (DEA) in the small deploying unit category.

The process to submit a DEA packet – which has a 46-item checklist - starts as soon as a unit is alerted for a mobilization, long before boots hit the ground. The unit had to gather training certificates, create packing lists, draft equipment loading plans, track flight itineraries and much more.

While completing all these steps is a big undertaking, HHC of the 2/34th IBCT also had to overcome an obstacle that affected every part of the process: The Boone, Iowa, unit was deployed to Kosovo in support of Operation Joint Guardian in 2020-2021 during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

As they traveled to Fort Bliss, Texas, for premobilization and then to Germany for a joint training exercise, Soldiers spent much of their time in isolation.

“COVID was a huge enemy for us,” said Maj. Gavin Sandvig, the logistics officer for HHC. “There were no site visits once COVID started, so we were kind of going in blindfolded. Even though we had all these conference calls, there’s something to be said about face-to-face interaction.”