Missouri’s top guardsmen spend holidays visiting troops in Afghanistan

Maj. Gen. Stephen L. Danner, adjutant general of the Missouri National Guard, addresses soldiers of the St. Louis-based 1138th Transportation Company at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan. The 1138th is performing convoy operations, delivering crucial supplies to coalition forces throughout the country. (Spc. Oscar Carter photo)

Bill Phelan
ngmo.pao@us.army.mil

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan - While most people were making plans for New Year's Eve festivities, the commanding general of the Missouri National Guard was in Afghanistan visiting the troops.

Maj. Gen. Stephen L. Danner, adjutant general of the Missouri National Guard, spent last week visiting soldiers of the St. Louis-based 1138th Transportation Company at Bagram Airfield. Danner was joined by Command Sgt. Maj. James E. Schulte, the state command sergeant major.

The 1138th, headquartered at historic Jefferson Barracks, is a medium truck company performing convoy operations for coalition forces throughout Afghanistan.

During his visit, Danner presented Sgt. Christopher Osborne, of St. Louis, with the Purple Heart for wounds he received from an improvised explosive device.

"General Danner's visit was a wonderful morale booster for my soldiers," said Maj. Jamie Melchert, of Columbia, Mo., the 1138th company commander. "Not only did General Danner get the opportunity to present a Purple Heart to an outstanding soldier, but he spent several hours visiting with soldiers one-on-one. He truly cares about his fellow Missouri Guard Soldiers and their well-being."

Danner and Schulte were given a tour of the Convoy Readiness Center and were shown the features of the MaxxPro tactical vehicle, the heavily armored truck used by the 1138th during convoy missions. The pair also shared a meal with 1138th Soldiers and recognized their service and sacrifice by presenting them with service coins, an old military tradition.

Schulte, of Jefferson City, was clearly impressed with troop morale and readiness.

"The 1138th is performing a vital mission under some very challenging conditions," he said. "Like most Missouri Guard units they have risen to that challenge and done an outstanding job. They've left their families and civilian jobs to fill this role, and most of the active duty leadership I've spoken to say the mission could not be done without the National Guard. It gives me a feeling of pride and gratification that we have people willing to serve."

The 1138th recently marked the halfway point of its one-year deployment to Afghanistan. The unit is part of the 311th Brigade Support Battalion, headquartered in Jefferson City.

For more information about the Missouri National Guard, please visit www.moguard.com and our social media sites: www.facebook.com/Missouri.National.Guard; www.twitter.com/Missouri_NG; www.youtube.com/MoNationalGuard; www.myspace.com/missouri_ng; www.flickr.com/photos/missouriguard; www.moguard.com/blog

Looking over a map of southern Afghanistan is, from left, 1st Sgt. Robert Wendell, State Command Sgt. Maj. James Schulte, Missouri Adjutant General, Maj. Gen. Stephen L. Danner, and Maj. Jamie Melchert. Wendell and Melchert serve with the St. Louis-based 1138th Transportation Company, which is performing convoy operations throughout Afghanistan. Danner and Schulte were visiting the troops over the Christmas holidays. (Spc. Oscar Carter photo)