[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 160 (2014), Part 1]
[Senate]
[Pages 387-388]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                   VERMONT ARMY NATIONAL GUARD AWARD

  Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, as the U.S. mission in Afghanistan winds 
down this year, one thing can be said with certainty: The dedication 
and service our men and women in uniform is unparalleled. It will truly 
be with the thanks of a grateful nation that our troops will finally 
withdraw from Afghanistan by year's end.
  This weekend, that appreciation will be front and center in Vermont, 
when the 3rd Battalion, 172nd Infantry Regiment, Mountain, will receive 
the Valorous Unit Award for extraordinary heroism in action, against an 
armed enemy of the United States, during their 2010 deployment to 
Afghanistan. The Mountain Battalion, as they are known, led Task Force 
Avalanche in Paktia, a province in western Afghanistan, and they were 
responsible for security in an area the size of Delaware so that aid 
and development efforts could go forward.
  In the best tradition of the ever ready Green Mountain Boys, the 
Mountain Battalion knows a thing or two about operating in mountainous 
terrain. They are the only unit in the U.S. Army specifically designed 
to neutralize the enemy in a mountainous terrain--expertise that proved 
invaluable as they supported seven forward operating bases and combat 
outposts spread throughout the mountains of Paktia. Upon their arrival 
in 2010, in advance of the parliamentary elections, they found many 
unsecure roads and zones. The men and women of the Mountain Battalion 
helped to neutralize supply lines and occupied formerly safe zones to 
provide a level of security during the election that increased voter 
turnout in those districts by 15 percent. In large part because of 
their efforts, Paktia province held the distinction of being the only 
province that cycle with zero civilian casualties during the election.
  Throughout their deployment, the men and women of Task Force 
Avalanche formed close partnerships with their counterparts in the 
Afghan National Security Force, living and operating together. They 
credit success in increasing proficiency and dedication of these forces 
in Paktia to the close relationship they forged. When the area of 
operations was hit hard by flooding, it was the Mountain Battalion and 
their Afghan partners who were there to respond for the civilians 
facing devastation. They even dispatched a platoon across the border to 
Pakistan to help flood victims--a border more often in the news for the 
crossing of foreign fighters and the Haqqani Network. The Task Force 
trained more than 50 Afghan National Army medics, who in turn provided 
care to U.S. personnel as well. These medics are just one part of the 
lasting contribution left by the Mountain Battalion in Paktia.
  Also remaining in Afghanistan as a testament to their valor are 2 
schools, 4 mosques, a community center, and 22 other projects. The 
Mountain Battalion is estimated to have contributed $700,000 into the 
local economy in money and jobs, and it is further estimated that 
almost 30,000 Afghans were beneficiaries of humanitarian assistance 
alone after the floods. Despite having been one of the most chaotic 
provinces in Afghanistan, our Green Mountain Boys left Paktia a better 
place for the people who live there, and they did so in partnership 
with the people who live there.
  Through 5 months in Paktia, these men and women led 4,300 combat 
patrols, 9 air assault operations, and 65 named operations. A total of 
600 individuals were awarded combat badges, 26 individuals were awarded 
the Purple Heart, and, tragically, 2 of these brave soldiers sacrificed 
their lives. Those who returned home brought with them the wisdom and 
experience of their deployment. As a Vermonter, I could not be more 
proud of these men and women. They and the mission they so ably 
performed help define what valor means.
  Importantly, this incredible unit is a National Guard unit. Made up 
of citizen soldiers from Vermont, Maine, and New Hampshire, the men and 
women of the 3rd Battalion, 172nd Infantry Regiment, Mountain returned 
from their distinguished service and went back to their jobs and their 
neighborhoods throughout Vermont and New England. This story was 
duplicated repeatedly in Afghanistan and also in Iraq. Because of 
soldiers like these, today's National Guard is a ready and reliable 
component of America's fighting force, indistinguishable on the 
battlefield from their Active Duty counterparts, and trusted with 
essential missions.
  I congratulate the Mountain Battalion of the Vermont National Guard 
on the Valorous Unit Award. You make us proud. You have given us and 
you have renewed and built upon an incredible legacy.

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