New York National Guard Explosive Ordnance Soldiers Recognized for Service

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Lt. Col. Rob Mitchell, commander of the 501st Ordnance Battalion (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) hugs a family member after the unit returned from its deployment in Iraq on Oct. 15.

GLENVILLE, NY (01/20/2012)(readMedia)-- Thirty members of the 501st Ordnance Battalion will be honored for their 10 months of service in Iraq in a Freedom Salute Ceremony on Saturday, January 21, at the Stratton Air National Guard Base.

WHO: More than 30 Soldiers of the 501st Ordnance Battalion, an Explosive Ordnance Disposal battalion headquarters element, their families, and leaders of the New York Army National Guard. The unit returned from deployment on October 15.

WHAT: Freedom Salute Ceremony in which the Soldiers receive a flag and other mementos to commemorate their service in combat in support of Operation New Dawn. The children and spouses of Soldiers also receive items.

WHEN: 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 21, 2012

WHERE: Stratton Air National Guard Base, Bldg. 16, 1 Air National Guard Road, Scotia, NY.

Coverage Opportunities:

Members of the press will have the opportunity to briefly interview unit leaders and Soldiers as well as family members. Imagery of the presentation ceremony and interview opportunities with New York Army National Guard Soldiers, leaders and family members.

Members of the media wishing to cover this event must contact Master Sgt. Corine Lombardo at 518-528-4770 for access to this secure military facility.

BACKGROUND:

The 501st Ordnance Battalion (Explosive Ordnance Disposal)

The 501st Ordnance Battalion is a headquarters element that is designed to command and control three to five Explosive Ordnance Disposal companies. During the battalion's deployment in Iraq the unit was responsible for counter-IED operations in nine provinces of southern Iraq, a region of about 81,000-square miles. This includes the main north-south highway known to the Military as MSR (Main Supply Route) Tampa, which is the road that U.S. military supplies and Soldiers enter and leave Iraq over.

As part of their job the New York Army National Guard Soldiers maintained a communications network that included both unclassified and classified data and voice systems, and submitted 270 daily situation reports. The Soldiers of the 501st also prepared more than intelligence products detailing counter-IED operations in their area of responsibility.

National Guard Freedom Salute

In December 2003, National Guard Bureau in Washington, D.C., launched the Freedom Salute Campaign nationwide as a way to recognize members of the Army National Guard for service during Operations Noble Eagle, Enduring Freedom, and Iraqi Freedom and thank their spouses, children, and employers for the support they have shown to their Soldier.

The Freedom Salute Campaign is one of the largest Army National Guard recognition endeavors in history. Each eligible Soldier will receive an encased American flag, a lapel insignia, a commemorative coin and a certificate of appreciation from the Army National Guard. The Soldier's spouse/significant other will receive a lapel insignia while Soldier who are considered a center of influence with young people will be given a Future Soldier Footlocker Kit that includes the Daring Eagle board game, Mission Command card game, and Army National Guard trading cards.