Ed Hodges ended his tour in Afghanistan with the USACE District and was awarded the Global War on Terrorism Medal, the Non-Article 5 NATO Medal for service with NATO in relation to the Resolute Support Mission in Afghanistan. He was also presented with the Department of Army Commander’s Award for Civilian Service for his outstanding service as a Contracting Officer’s Technical Representative (COTR). As a COTR in an Afghanistan Power Plant, Hodges’ technical acumen and leadership were critical to the success of the transition of the U. S. Forces-Afghanistan Prime Power mission from the 249th Engineer Battalion to the Department of the Army Civilian Technicians.
As signed by Col. Jason E. Kelly, Commanding, Mr. Hodge’s professionalism, dedication, and commitment to the mission reflect great credit upon himself, the United States Army Corps of Engineers, the Afghanistan District, and the Department of the Army.
“You know you give me a transformer or generator that’s not working, I’m your guy, when it comes to writing stuff down on paper, probably someone else could do it”, said Hodges.
“We’re making a lot of difference, a lot of changes out there, we’re actually going to some of the FOBs where we don’t have a Prime Power presence, and fixing generators there. We’re trying to fill the gap. We wanted the experience, but we also want to support the troops, “he said.
“It’s important that we recognize what you have done, you’ve made a positive difference here”, said Col. Jason Kelly, Afghanistan District Commander, as he was Video teleconferenced in from the Kandahar Project Platform to the award presentation, along with Richard Ott.
Hodges from the Walla Walla District returns home to take care of family and join his team mates back at his home district.
“Thank you for serving our country and volunteering to come over here, said Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Afghanistan District, Sergeant Maj. Nate Atkinson. And also for sitting out in the hot sun, in 110 degree weather for my lateral appointment to Command Sergeant Major, I really appreciate it”, Atkinson said.
Hodges said, “I think it’s been a really awesome transition from the 249th Power to Prime Power, we’ve had a lot of support and the program is going to move forward and I think you’re going to see great things from the group that showed up to carry on the mission.”
Annette Evans, Deputy District Engineer for Programs and Project Management said, “Thank you for a job well done Ed.”
And Hodges humbly replied with, “If there was a need we tried to fill it, if there was an obstacle we tried to clear it.”