East St. Louis Unit Supports 20 Deployments, but Has Yet to Get Battle Streamer

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EAST ST.LOUIS, IL (08/09/2012)(readMedia)-- Ask a Soldier with the 1344th Transportation Company in East St. Louis if he/she has deployed and the answer will likely be "yes." Some may even say they have been deployed two or three times in their career. However, in the nearly 11 years since the military has deployed servicemembers in support of Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom, the 1344th has never been mobilized for an overseas mission.

"I have been with this unit for 19 years," said 1st Sgt. Cory L. Harbison of Mulkeytown. "Our flag has never flown overseas...but we still have a motivated group."

While the 1344th has never deployed, most of the Soldiers in the unit have been mobilized. In fact, Soldiers in the 1344th have supported more than 20 Illinois Army National Guard units that have mobilized since Sept. 11, 2001.

Many of the Soldiers are mentally prepared for a long-term deployment. Many are excited about the experience a deployment would bring the unit and for the opportunity to lead other Soldiers.

Capt. Matthew P. Wood of Springfield, 1344th company commander, said a majority of the Soldiers have been negatively impacted by the tough economic area of East St. Louis and are either working part-time or unemployed.

The Soldiers of the 1344th remain committed to being prepared for whatever comes their way.

"We are flexible to do whatever it takes," said Harbison. "We can meet any mission. We have no problems accomplishing any mission given in the past so I have no reason to believe we wouldn't continue that same success."

Some upcoming missions include homeland defense operations.

"We have our homeland security mission so we are always working on preparing ourselves," said Wood. "If the opportunity for a deployment arises we are going to be ready and we are going to be chomping at the bit, but that's a decision for echelons above me."

Regardless of the 1344th's future operations, there is one thing these Soldiers will always be committed to.

"We're just going to continue to drive like hell," said Wood.

Wood's goal, which happens to be the company motto, is something they are determined to succeed at regardless of where or what its mission is.

Photo 1: Photo courtesy of Staff Sgt. Patrick Clark, 1344th Transportation Company/ Spc. Mario Medina of Marion with the 1344th Transportation Company based in East St. Louis fires his M-16 rifle during weapons qualification. The 1344th Soldiers are optimistic of training and deployment opportunities.

Photo 2: Photo courtesy of Capt. Matthew Wood, 1344th Transportation Company/ Pfc. Kendrick Mitchell of Lovejoy (front) and Spc. Nicholas McMillian of Alton with the 1344th Transportation Company based in East St. Louis perform annual maintenance on an M871 trailer at the East St. Louis armory. The 22-ton trailers are attached to a semi-tractor and use to haul everything from vehicles to food and ammunition.

Photo 3: Photo courtesy of Capt. Matthew Wood, 1344th Transportation Company/ 1st Sgt. Cory Harbison of Mulkeytown addresses the 1344th Transportation Company during final formation of annual training in June at the company's motor pool in East St. Louis. The 1344th was instrumental in hauling cargo to Camp Ripley, Minn. where more than 3,000 Illinois Army National Guard Soldiers received valuable training in July.

For high resolution photos, please contact the Illinois National Guard Public Affairs Office at ngilstaffpao@ng.army.mil

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