Shortly after Hurricane Gustav made landfall, several members of the 2nd Battalion, 20th Special Forces Group (Abn) of the Mississippi Army National Guard launched a search and rescue operation at the Jordan River Shores subdivision in Kiln, Miss.
Six teams from the unit, based in Jackson, Miss., used rubber boats fitted with outboard motors to search for anyone who remained in the subdivision, which flooded as a result of a tidal surge from Hurricane Gustav on Sept. 1.
“They prepared to patrol the neighborhood to pick up those who had chosen not to evacuate, and had become trapped in their homes,” said 2nd Lt. Steve Stubbs, a public affairs officer from the 186th Air Refueling Wing of the Mississippi Air National Guard in Meridian, Miss. “And suddenly it became more than just a rescue, it became an extreme emergency.”
Scott Bilbo, chief of the Kiln Volunteer Fire Department, had gotten word that a man, whose house was surrounded by rising water, needed emergency medical help.
“I don’t know what shape he’s in. I was told he was sick,” Bilbo told the troops.
Within minutes, the Special Forces Soldiers had the victim on the way for emergency medical attention.
“We called our dispatcher through our fire marshal to get us a boat. We got here. They happened to be here doing rescues, and it worked out perfectly,” said Bilbo. “Our boat would have to come from two miles away.”
Stubbs said Sgt. Maj. Mike Patterson handled the mission very well. “You could just tell by his actions his main concern was getting those folks out safely and quickly. This was a perfect example of the Mississippi National Guard’s Citizen-Soldiers helping fellow citizens in time of need.”
The unit worked in conjunction with local fire, rescue and police departments to recover the stranded residents, Stubbs said. A total of six residents were rescued from Jordon Estates by the Special Forces troops.
Search and rescue missions continued today, while other Soldiers conducted security patrols along the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
The 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment welcomed a new battalion commander in a change of command ceremony at Fort Lewis, Wash., July 16.
Col. Erik Kurilla relinquished command to incoming commander Lt. Col. Mark Odom during the ceremony.
“How does one sum up Colonel Kurilla’s many achievements, but more importantly the achievements of this unit?” said Col. Richard D. Clarke, regimental commanding officer, 75th Ranger Regiment. “A commander who deployed this battalion into harm’s way on numerous occasions, who has led from the front both in training and on the battlefield, who backs up his actions with deeds and not words, who is self-disciplined, physically fit, mentally tough, intelligent, and gives 100 percent. The answer is you don’t.”
The moniker for a former Chief of Staff of the Army was that Soldiers are your credentials, said Clarke.
“Colonel Kurilla, you have incredible credentials,” he said. “The Warriors who stand before you on the field today, ready to do bad things to bad people and willing to trade the parade field for the battlefield, they are your legacy.”
In his farewell remarks, Kurilla reflected on his time as battalion commander.
“I have never been more proud in my entire military career than the time I served in 2nd Ranger Battalion, and I will be able to look back and say I walked among giants and I served with the next greatest generation,” said Kurilla.
Kurilla talked about the bravery of the men who serve in 2nd Ranger Battalion.
“There was much blood shed by the men standing on the parade field before you and many are currently recovering in hospitals around our country,” he said. “They are men of valor, character, courage, and strength.”
The words to describe the sacrifice of these men are the words of Winston Churchill who said, “Never was so much owed by so many to so few.”
“These are men that chose to defend our Nation in a time of war and fight in far off villages and lands that 99 percent of America has never even heard of,” Kurilla said. “I ask today that you not focus on the changing of the leadership but on the sacrifice of the few. Never was so much owed by so many to so few.”
Kurilla will spend one year at the National War College in Washington, D.C. and will take command as the 16th Colonel of the 75th Ranger Regiment in August 2009.
The outgoing and incoming commanders, who have been friends for over 20 years, shook hands as they passed in front of the podium between their respective remarks. The mutual professional respect and friendship each mentioned about the other in their remarks was apparent.
Odom then addressed his Soldiers in their first formation under his command.
“I cannot tell you how fortunate I feel to return to the Regiment and to return to 2nd Battalion, in particular,” Odom said. “In short, it is great to be back.”
Odom’s most recently commanded 1st Squadron, 40th Calvary Regiment from June 2005 to May 2008, including a 14-month deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
“As always, the depth of our Army and Ranger bench is strong,” Clarke said. “Our incoming commander is also a distinguished Ranger leader who has lived Abrams Charter and then some. Your mission and focus should be clear – live the Ranger Creed, care for these men and their families and lead these men in battle. I know you will do your duty. To the men of 2nd Ranger Battalion, we live in the greatest country on earth, and because of your sacrifices our country will remain so for many more years.”
Shortly after Hurricane Gustav made landfall, several members of the 2nd Battalion, 20th Special Forces Group (Abn) of the Mississippi Army National Guard launched a search and rescue operation at the Jordan River Shores subdivision in Kiln, Miss.
