Guard unit that provides security at Newport depot finishes work

Mission Complete: Lt. Col. Scott D. Kimmell, depot commander, pins medals on the uniform of Sgt. Joshua Stacy during the farewell ceremony for the Guardsmen who have provided security for tahe facility. (Tribune-Star/Jim Avelis)

By Patricia L. Pastore/Tribune-Star
Story created Apr 15, 2005

Members of an Army National Guard unit providing security at Newport Chemical Depot were commended during a "Mission Completed" celebration there Wednesday.

About 70 members of the 2nd Battalion 150th Field Artillery Regiment finished their work at the site where the Army plans to begin destroying deadly VX nerve agent next month.

These citizen soldiers arrived at the depot with more than 200 troops on July 7, 2003, in support of Operation Noble Eagle, a security measure taken after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

The Guard units augmented the security force already in place, said Lt. Col. Scott D. Kimmell, depot commander.

He said these soldiers are based in Bloomington.

Their presence allowed the depot's operating contractor, Mason and Hanger, time to hire and train additional guards for its security force, Kimmell said.

"These [Mason and Hanger] guards are highly trained to a level equivalent to, if not higher, than the National Guard soldiers," he said.

Since Sept. 11, 2001, the Army has relocated the 1,269-ton VX stockpile on-site to a hardened, more secure location.

Salute! Members of 2nd Battalion 150th Field Artillery Regiment salute during the playing of "The Star-Spangled Banner" at their farewell ceremony Wednesday. (Tribune-Star/Jim Avelis)

"Now that the nerve agent VX is in a more secure location and our own security force has been increased, the soldiers can be returned to their home unit, their families and their communities," Kimmell said. "With added measures taken by the Army and its contractors, the stockpile continues to be safe and secure."

Kimmell said during its entire history, the Newport work force has been primarily civilian federal employees or contract employees.

"They are superb, well-trained employees who know and perform their jobs in an outstanding manner, he said. The Mason and Hanger operating contract began in January 1986, he said.

After thanking the soldiers for a job well done, Kimmell pinned three medals on each soldier: the Global War on Terrorism Service Award, National Defense Service Medal and Armed Forces Reserve Medal.

Jerry Whittinghill, a member of the Guard team, displayed the three medals proudly. He will miss this duty, he said.

Going home: An emblem is worn on the berets of members of the 2nd Battallion 150th Field Artillery Regiment. (Tribune-Star/Jim Avelis)

"I'm from Thorntown," he said. "I'm just a small-town guy. I've loved this duty and I've enjoyed going to Cayuga and Clinton and talking to the people of those small towns. The people really treated us very well but I am anxious to go home to my family."

Whittinghill has plenty of reasons to return to his wife, Lisa and three children.

"I've got a 17 [-year-old] girl, a 15-year-old son and 9-month-old son," he said. "I can't wait to get home and hug my wife and play with my kids."

Nearby, Guard member Aaron Weston spoke of going home to Indianapolis where his wife, Venicia, and his parents await his return.

"I've liked the mission here on the depot," Weston said. He said he is proud to have served in a capacity involving homeland security.

"We've had some challenges but we made it and worked through them," he said. "We are a good team. I'm proud to have served my country here."

Col. Jesse L. Barber, project manager for the Alternative Technologies and Approaches, heads the VX destruction project for the Army.

After medals were distributed, Barber shook each soldier's hand and thanked them for the service rendered at the Newport Chemical Depot.

The soldiers will be missed by the community, too.

Donna Hollingsworth lives in the first house south of the depot. She has said that every time she sees a soldier from the depot, it reminds her that someone is guarding the VX.

"I know they are away from their homes and families and I just want to go hug each and every one of them. God bless them," she said.

Patricia Pastore can be reached at (812) 231-4271 or pat.pastore@tribstar.com