ROCK FALLS, IL (07/26/2011)(readMedia)-- Capt. Michael Barton with the Illinois National Guard's 1644th Transportation Company has deployed and returned a decorated Soldier and now as the opportunity to deploy as the commander for the same unit.

Barton, a Greenview native, deployed as an enlisted Soldier with the 1644th in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2004-2005, receiving a Purple Heart. Now as the commander of the Rock Falls unit, Barton believes he can do even more.

"With my other deployments, everything was being directed towards me," Barton said. "Now, I'm the one providing direction for the unit."

Barton deployed with the 1144th Transportation Battalion in 2007-2008 and received a Bronze Star for his service.

With two deployments under his belt, Barton took command of the 1644th in 2009. Barton admits to being a little nervous upon taking command, as he would be leading some of his former comrades. However, the Soldiers accepted him immediately and the relationship has only improved.

"When I found out he was coming back I was really excited," said Sgt. 1st Class Kyle Hacker of Rock Falls, a truckmaster with the unit who deployed with Barton in 2004. "He was a standout guy as an enlisted Soldier, and now he's a standout guy as an officer."

Now the 1644th will tackle line haul operations in Kuwait. They will move equipment throughout Kuwait and Iraq in support of Operation New Dawn.

"I'm excited for this deployment and what lies ahead for the 1644th," Barton said. "The team we have assembled is extremely professional, tactically and technically proficient. I have no doubt they will accomplish any mission that is given to them."

Lt. Col. Tracey Collins of Naperville, battalion commander for the 1644th, served with Barton when he was a young specialist and she was a youthful lieutenant with the Rock Falls unit. She said Barton is a great fit for the 1644th.

"Cpt. Barton is an awesome leader," Collins said. "You give him a mission and he runs with it. Having been in that unit for so long, he has established himself and earned the respect of his troops. I am 100% behind his leadership style."

While Barton is serving in an atypical role, he is commanding a unique unit. The 1644th has four husband and wife duos, two father and son tandems, and three groups of siblings in its ranks. Despite the familiar relations, Barton says this is the most professional team he has ever worked with.

"Being the commander of the 1644th has been the highlight of my 15 and a half year career to this point," Barton said.

The 1644th was mobilized in early July and will spend the next two months training at Fort Bliss, Texas prior to deploying to Kuwait. They will replace the 1244th Transportation Company from North Riverside, which was mobilized in September 2010.

Photo 1: Capt. Michael Barton of Greenview

Photo 2: Photo submitted/ Capt. Michael Barton of Greenview, then a staff sergeant with the 1644th Transportation Company in Rock Falls, sits atop a five-ton truck as his convoy travels through Iraq. Barton received a Purple Heart while deployed with the 1644th in 2004-2005. He is currently training in Fort Bliss, Texas preparing to deploy to the Iraq/Kuwait theater this summer, this time as the commander of the 1644th.

Photo 3: Photo submitted/ Capt. Michael Barton of Greenview, then a staff sergeant with the 1644th Transportation Company in Rock Falls, poses next to six Iraqi children. Barton was deployed with the 1644th in 2004-2005, receiving a Purple Heart. He is now preparing to deploy to Kuwait with the Rock Falls-based unit, this time as the commander.

Story by Spc. Brian Vorce, 139th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

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

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Rock Island, Ill. -- (July 20, 2011) The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Rock Island District is continuing to concentrate on water safety outreach at its lake and river projects after a deadly start to the recreation season at USACE parks nationwide.

As of May 31, 57 people have died on Corps-owned property nationwide this year, compared to 39 at this time last year - a more than 32 percent increase. Most of these fatalities were from drowning. USACE officials report that more than 90 percent of drowning victims at USACE parks were not wearing a life jacket.

"Public safety is our number one priority," said Maj. Gen. Merdith W.B. Temple, acting commanding general of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. "The increase in deaths at USACE parks this year is of great concern to us. We want to do everything we can to make people aware of potential risks when they visit one of our recreation areas, and how to make good decisions that will improve safety for themselves, families and friends."

The U. S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District Recreation Projects include : Saylorville Lake near Des Moines, Iowa; Lake Red Rock, Pella, Iowa; Coralville Lake, Iowa City, Iowa; the Mississippi River Project from Potosi, Wis., to Saverton, Mo.; and the Illinois Waterway from T.J. O'Brien Lock and Dam to La Grange Lock and Dam.

The Corps wants to remind its visitors to put safety first while recreating on its lands and waters.  Swim only in designated areas, learn to swim, use the buddy system, and do not exceed your abilities. Over half of the Rock Island District water related fatalities over the last 18 years have been swimming related.  If you are using your boat as a swim platform and jumping into the water to cool off do not forget to wear a life jacket. Limit your alcohol use and remember operating under the influence in a boat
in Iowa and Illinois is .08, just as it is in your automobile on the road. 

"Wearing a suitable life jacket is the single most important measure boaters and swimmers can take to decrease their risk of a water-related fatality. Just like wearing your seat belt in your car decreases your risk of serious injury or death," said Mike Cox, assistant operations manager, Rock Island District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

USACE officials encourage visitors to check local water and weather conditions and pay attention to recreation warnings, such as river closures from local emergency services offices prior to entering the water. Know your water and weather conditions before you go and let family and friends know where you are going and when you expect to return from your outing. You can find lake and river level information at www.Rivergages.com.  Officials stress the single most important item a person can do on the water to reduce risk is to wear a life jacket. USACE will continue its efforts to promote boating and water safety and with the public's support we will work to reduce
the risk and save lives. 

USACE is the nation's largest federal provider of outdoor recreation, hosting more than 370 million visits per year at 422 recreation parks in 43 states and we want our visitors to return to enjoy our sites again. 

For the USACE recreation area near you visit www.CorpsLakes.us.

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Washington, DC - Today, Congressman Bruce Braley (IA-01) released the following statement after the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction found serious problems with oversight of U.S. aid efforts and funds in Afghanistan in a new report:

"This report is very troubling and it underscores the need for us to get out of Afghanistan now. We're blindly spending billions in Afghanistan while our own economy is teetering between an anemic recovery and the brink of a default. I've called for a true accounting of the cost of the war in Afghanistan since I came to Congress. Now, after almost a decade in Afghanistan, thousands of lives lost and billions of dollars misspent, it's clear that the cost is too high. We need to end this quagmire immediately."

The report released today found that American funds in Afghanistan are likely to be misspent, embezzled and funneled to insurgents unless a far-reaching policy change is implemented.

"U.S. agencies...still have limited visibility over the circulation of these funds, leaving them vulnerable to fraud or diversion to insurgents. We found that agencies have not instituted sufficient controls over U.S. funds, limiting their oversight," the staff of acting Special Inspector General for Afghan Reconstruction Herbert Richardson wrote in the report released on Wednesday. The U.S. has spent more than $70billion on security assistance and development projects in Afghanistan since 2002.

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ROCK ISLAND ARSENAL, Ill. - Victory on the battlefield depends principally
on swift and coordinated troop movement. In the past, Soldiers followed the
cadence and instruction of the color guard, led by the color sergeant.

With hundreds or thousands of men involved in the heat of battle, the
significance of the color sergeant and his ability to carry the flag, rally
the troops and fearlessly face death cannot be exaggerated.

This was especially true during the Civil War. Because of their strategic
value (and their visibility), the color sergeant was a ready target.
Although normally protected by six corporals, it remained a very dangerous
assignment. Yet the position and title held special significance amongst the
troops, and it was considered a high honor usually reserved for the bravest
and strongest soldiers. The flags they carried represented the reputation of
the unit, and were not to be surrendered.

During the Battle of the Wilderness (fought between Ulysses S. Grant and
Robert E. Lee) in Virginia, both sides suffered heavy casualties, including
a Union color sergeant during the close, intense fighting. Sgt. Charles E.
Morse saw his color sergeant perish, virtually surrounded by the enemy.
Morse rushed to the fallen Soldier, grabbed the colors and raised them into
the air. He continued the rallying cry through the entire battle, earning
him the Medal of Honor. Many other Soldiers were awarded the Medal of Honor
for similar action during the Civil War.

Because of the extreme danger and improvements in firearm accuracy, the Army
abolished the rank of color sergeant. However, the need for a color guard
did not diminish, as the drills and ceremonies Soldiers participate in today
share the values of the past. Each regiment had two flags, the U.S. and
organizational colors.  To ensure the men knew the flag of their regiment,
both flags were carried before them during drills and ceremonies.  From this
practice developed the modern color guard.

Now the honor of color sergeant belongs to the unit's senior enlisted
member, the "keeper of the colors." In garrison, the colors are normally
kept at the headquarters. Down range, the colors are normally displayed from
reveille to retreat in front of the commanding officer's tent or command
post. As units deploy their colors are "cased" before they move, and
subsequently "uncased" once in the field, signifying readiness to conduct
combat operations.

The same ceremony takes place when headquarters move. The Pentagon's 2005
Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) process directed First Army to close its
headquarters at Fort Gillem, Ga., and move to the Rock Island Arsenal.
"Right now our colors are not flying in front of First Army headquarters;
they are not on display in the building." said Command Sgt. Maj. Jesse L.
Andrews, Jr. "When we uncase the colors and put them on display, that means
the move is complete and First Army is officially conducting business on
Rock Island."

Andrews is First Army's keeper of the colors, a responsibility he takes very
seriously. "Our colors serve as a rallying point for all of the soldiers of
the unit; it is the heart and soul of our soldiers. I make sure that
wherever the commander is, the colors are always carried, presented and
displayed properly."

Andrews will uncase the organizational colors with the commander, Lt. Gen.
Mick Bednarek, July 21. The ceremony will highlight almost 100 years of rich
history, including

General John J. Pershing leading First Army troops into France in World War
I, to General Omar N. Bradley commanding First Army Soldiers on Normandy
Beach in WWII. That historical lineage continues today, training reserve and
active duty Soldiers for worldwide deployment.

During the uncasing ceremony the organizational color is unfurled, revealing
its battle streamers. The concept of battle streamers came to prominence
during the Civil War, when individual units embroidered the names of battles
in which they fought on their flag. An official system was adopted by the
Army in 1921.

"The battle streamers signify a historical representation of a unit's
participation in the battles and campaigns of American history and represent
the blood, sweat and tears of those who fought alongside the flag; it is
emblematic of the Esprit de Corps in the unit," Andrews said.

The ceremony itself is rather quick, but the historical importance is
evident. "As the commander and myself uncase the colors," Andrews continued,
"the message is of First Army Headquarters acknowledging responsibility as
the senior command team here, and we're ready to go to work, not only on
Rock Island, but to do our nation's will, which is continuing to train all
of our guard and reserve forces throughout the Army."

The "keeper of the colors" looks forward to working for First Army in a new
location.

"I am very impressed with the level of community support our Soldiers, their
families and the headquarters has received," said Andrews. "I have seen
nothing but the potential for greatness in building a strong, positive
relationship between the communities in the Quad Cities and the First Army
team, and the warm reception our Soldiers and families received from the
Quad Cities has been unbelievable. We all look forward to working with them
in the future to make it even better."

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