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Soldiers, Civilians Honored for ASG-Afghanistan Service

everal soldiers and Department of De-
Sfense (DoD) civilian employees were
recently honored for their service in Area
Support Group-Afghanistan (ASG-A) upon
completion of deployments there.
ASG-A Commander Col. Jacob Pe-
terson, USA, presented them with their
respective awards during separate ceremo-
nies at ASG-A headquarters at Bagram AF,
Afghanistan, as fiscal year 2018 drew to
a close.
During the command’s Sept. 30 hail and
farewell event, Peterson awarded medals
to Army Staff Sgt. Douglas DeVore Jr. and Army Staff Sgt. Douglas DeVore Jr. (right), Prime Power con- Army Sgt. 1st Class Jonathan Lindholm (right), a contract-
Sgt. 1st Class Jonathan Lindholm, Prime tracting officer technical representative, was awarded three ing officer technical representative, received two medals
medals for service to the Area Support Group Afghanistan
for his service to ASG-A during a year-long deployment.
Power contracting officer technical repre- (ASG-A) during the command’s Sept. 30 hail and farewell.
sentatives (COTR), for their service to the The awards were presented by the ASG-A Commander, Army
support group. Col. Jacob Peterson. Included in the number are U.S. military
DeVore was awarded the NATO Medal, servicemembers, DoD civilians, contractors
Army Achievement Medal and Meritorious Service Medal. Lind- and coalition forces who are con-
holm received the NATO Medal and Meritorious Service Medal. tributing to Resolute Support, the
Also honored in September and early October upon completion NATO-led, non-combat mission to
of deployments to Afghanistan, most of them for a full year, were train, advise and assist the Afghan
six DoD civilians assigned to ASG-A through the Department National Defense and Security
of Defense Expeditionary Civilians (DoD-EC) Program, which Forces (ANDSF). The ANDSF
deploys personnel to support military operations. assumed nationwide responsibility
for Afghanistan’s security follow-
RICHARD BELANGER ing the conclusion of the previous
DoD Expeditionary Civilian Richard Belanger was awarded the NATO-led International Security
Commander’s Award for Civilian Service, NATO Medal, Global Assistance Force (ISAF) mission
War on Terrorism Medal and Wartime Service certificate for his in 2014. Its purpose is to help
service in Afghanistan. the Afghan security forces and
Before redeploying Stateside in September 2018, he served institutions develop the capacity to
as an electrician and Operations and Maintenance (O&M) lead defend Afghanistan and protect its
for the Directorate of Public Works at Bagram. citizens in a sustainable manner. Department of the Navy Civilian Jona-
than Covington received the Outstanding
Peterson said Belanger’s dedication helped ASG-A successfully Civilian Service Medal, NATO Medal and
accomplish its mission, which is to provide standardized services, JONATHAN COVINGTON Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
facilities and infrastructure — everything from billeting, laundry Department of the Navy Ci- for exceptional service to ASG-A.
and food service to public works and quality-of-life support — vilian Jonathan Covington was
to more than 35,000 personnel throughout the Combined Joint awarded the Outstanding Civilian Service Medal, NATO Medal
Operations Area-Afghanistan (CJOA-A). and Global War on Terrorism Service Medal for exceptional ser-
vice to ASG-A.
Before redeploying Stateside,
Covington had served as the site
manager of Forward Operating
Base (FOB) Lightning, home
to Task Force Southeast Hqs.
and Security Force Assistance
Brigade 1 Hqs., in the Paktia
Province.
He called his yearlong as-
signment the most rewarding of
his career. “It was very humbling
to take care of the troops that are
going outside of the wire every
day to accomplish this mission,”
DoD Expeditionary Civilian Derek Duncan (right) was Covington said. “And every day,
DoD Expeditionary Civilian Richard Belanger (right) was awarded the Com- awarded the Outstanding Civilian Service Medal, NATO I tried to give them the very best
mander’s Award for Civilian Service, NATO Medal, Global War on Terrorism Medal, Global War on Terrorism Medal and Wartime the ASG had to offer.”
Medal and Wartime Service certificate for his year of service with Area Support Service and Civilian of the Month certificates for his
Group-Afghanistan (ASG-A). ASG-A Commander Peterson (left) presented service in Afghanistan. ASG-A Commander Peterson
the award at the command headquarters on Bagram AF. (left) presented the award. Continued on page 21

4 MILITARY CLUB & HOSPITALITY | DECEMBER 2018