Jordan Valley Medical Center
Ken Casper
Director of Plant Operations / Safety Officer / EM Coordinator
I served as Sergeant First Class (SFC) US Army & Utah National Guard from 1985-2010. During my deployment in Iraq, around the end of June 2004, there was tension in and around the country after the US had taken control and was helping local citizens establish a unified structure of Executive Command. This was to include elections for the people to have an opportunity to vote for the first time since the Saddam Hussein regime took over in 1979. During that two-day process, all combat units in the region around Baghdad and throughout the country were given orders to stand down and avoid any missions that involved leaving the post. Several of our line platoons stationed further north in Iraq needed supplies and reinforcements. Some of our leadership (including me) went to our Commander and convinced him that this mission needed to happen because we had our own troops (from Utah units) in high danger. After our Commander received authorization from Troop Command, I volunteered to lead the convoy in the front gunship for one of the most dangerous unit missions we faced during this time — a convoy of 32 vehicles on a 150-mile trip to bring supplies to those line platoons whose survival depended on it. My role as the lead gunship was to identify any threats and neutralize them before the main body of the convoy approached the area. During this convoy, we engaged in heavy enemy resistance. I led over 35 combat missions during that deployment and was recognized for this and many other actions with a Bronze Star (fourth highest award in our nation). I served our grateful nation for 25 years in many capacities and deployments around the country and world. As a combat veteran, it was my privilege and honor to do so!
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Proud to Serve Our Country. Honored to Care for You.
