From: SMSgt Andy E. Suan
Date: July 5th, 2006

Robert Vasquez
Force Protection
Theater Manager
Balad Air Base, Iraq


July 5, 2006

Mr. Vasquez,

I would like to bring to your attention two phenomenal employees from your repair facility in the Victory Base Camp, Mr. William Fort and Mr. Delbert Timmerman.

Our Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) unit relies heavily on the Joint EOD Rapid Response Vehicle model of the Cougar to provide a safe operating environment for our technicians to combat Improvised Explosive Devices (IED). The vehicle itself is awesome, but without the technicians to keep it in operation it would soon become useless. In the past month we have had three JERRVs severely damaged while conducting missions. While the vehicles have required extensive repairs, my troops have been unharmed and completed their missions. Needless to say, WE LOVE THE JERRV!

Having to coordinate repairs on these vehicles has given me multiple opportunities to meet and work side by side with these fine gentlemen. Their “can do” attitude and the zeal with which they attack any problem we present them with are truly inspirational. Your employees have been willing to work well past their standard hours, travel to the EOD shop to make minor repairs and make simple field modifications to keep our fleet moving and make our lives better. From simple tasks such as fixing broken door closing assemblies, to totally rebuilding damaged vehicles that were nearly destroyed by direct hits from IEDs, these guys have never shirked from the job. They are honest in their estimates of time needed to accomplish repairs, truthful in their assessment of possible repairs and always respectful and courteous even under the worst working conditions possible. They attack any challenge with a smile on their face and don’t stop until it has been overcome. They take the time needed to explain to the layman (me) what needs doing and how they will accomplish it. As the end user, this helps build my confidence in the product and the repairs.

I can say without any fear of repercussions that without the efforts of Mr. Fort and Mr. Timmerman some of my troops would not be alive today. My troops would have been forced to use a lesser capable vehicle and it would not have survived the IED strike. I cannot say how proud I am to have met these two fine Americans and know that they place the safety of my troops above their personal comfort and well-being. In today’s world of self gratification and apathy, it is a breath of fresh air to see the traits exhibited by these men. I hope I can find some way to repay them for their efforts, but until I do, I hope you can recognize their efforts and realize what a tremendous job they are doing for the EOD teams in the Iraqi Theater of Operations.


//SIGNED//
ANDY E. SUAN, SMSgt, USAF
447 EOD Flight Chief