An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Home : News : Article View
NEWS | June 17, 2010

Tennessee Guardsmen reflect on growing experience

By Spc. Jessica Zullig 135th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE SPEICHER, Iraq - The ground rumbled under the weight of more than 50 trucks rolling through the Iraq night.

Bright stars illuminated the route for the convoy security team from 2nd Platoon, Troop K, 3rd Squadron, 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment of the Tennessee Army National Guard.

The platoon provided security for the movement of equipment and assets from Contingency Operating Base Q-West, Iraq, as part of the transition to stability operations for United States Division - North.

"We are tasked to provide security for the movement of equipment to facilitate the redeployment of another squadron there and the preparation to transition Q-West from the control of U.S. forces to Iraqi forces," said Maj. Wiley Hammer, assistant future operations planner for 3/278th ACR. "The movements include anything from vehicles to life support equipment."

The road these Soldiers have traveled and the lessons they have learned, will stay with them throughout their career.

Staff Sgt. Donald Defrees, a platoon sergeant for the unit, has seen his Soldiers grow over the last eight months, observing nothing but improvement.

The biggest challenge for the team was training for this mission," said Defrees, who is on his fourth deployment. "It's new to everyone, but these guys really have a can-do attitude."

1st Lt. Brian West, 2nd platoon leader, appreciates the Soldiers in his platoon and how fast they caught on.

"You don't have to worry about whether they are going to get the job done or not," he said. "Not only does that show that they have grown over this short amount of time, but it also allows the platoon sergeant and myself to do our jobs."

Defrees and West work well together, always keeping each other on the same page and providing one another with the information they need to care for their Soldiers and complete the mission.

"Lt. West is a good leader," said Defrees. "He's prior enlisted and understands a [non-commissioned officer's] job better than other officers. We cooperate well."

Soldiers within the platoon mirror the experience their leaders' have gained.

"We have really come together as a team," said Spc. Brandon Watkins, a .50 caliber Browning machine-gunner for the unit. "We have Soldiers organic to the unit as well as some from outside the unit. We've come a long way and have grown to work together well."

 

 

Related Articles
The 111th Electromagnetic Warfare Company conducts training exercise, Operation Golden Corridor in Dahlonega, Georgia, August 15, 2025. Throughout the duration of the exercise, Soldiers simulated peer and near-peer electromagnetic warfare scenarios and enhance unit proficiency in spectrum mapping, RF detection, and alternative radar awareness capabilities under austere conditions.
Georgia Guard Company Leads in Electromagnetic Warfare Modernization
By | Aug. 27, 2025
DAHLONEGA, Ga. - The Georgia Army National Guard’s 111th Electromagnetic Warfare Company, based in Forest Park, Georgia, is rapidly establishing itself as a leader in the Army’s modernization efforts within the...

Soldiers from the 1st Battalion 182nd Infantry Regiment, Massachusetts Army National Guard, and the 1st Battalion 69th Infantry Regiment, New York Army National Guard, participated in the annual Logan-Duffy Shooting Match, August 21, 2025, at Fort Devens, Massachusetts. The history of the Logan Duffy Rifle Match goes back nearly 90 years to the first match, which was held in 1936.
Massachusetts, New York Guard Members Compete in Historic Logan-Duffy Rifle Competition
By Sgt. 1st Class Steven Eaton,   | Aug. 27, 2025
DEVENS, Mass. – Soldiers from the 1st Battalion, 182nd Infantry Regiment, Massachusetts Army National Guard, and the 1st Battalion, 69th Infantry Regiment, New York Army National Guard, participated in the annual Logan-Duffy...

An Alaska Air National Guard HH-60G Pave Hawk assigned to the 210th Rescue Squadron a real-world rescue operation at Point MacKenzie, Alaska, Sept. 1, 2022. After a Christen A-1 Husky crashed into a marsh, National Guardsmen rappelled and conducted a rescue operation, ensuring the aircraft was safely vacated. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Julia Lebens)
Alaska Air Guard Rescues Individual With Facial Laceration Near Knik Glacier
By Alejandro Pena, | Aug. 27, 2025
JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska — Alaska Air National Guard members with the 176th Wing rescued an individual with a facial laceration Aug. 25, about 40 miles northeast of Anchorage in the vicinity of Knik Glacier.The...