One of Oxford’s brave sons serving in Iraq has done his community proud by winning an award for his work training native soldiers to defend their homeland.
Specialist Stephan Stothers, who serves in the U.S. Army’s 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, recently received the ‘Task Force Marne Hero of the North? award.
‘I appreciate the recognition, but I owe this to everyone in my section for all of their hard work,? said the 2008 Brandon High School graduate, who’s been in Iraq for six months. It’s his first tour.
Stothers, who enlisted in July 2007, lived in Oxford for eight years, but attended Brandon High through the Schools of Choice program.
As part of his award, Stothers, 21, received a certificate of achievement, a note from Maj. Gen. Tony Cucolo (commanding general of Task Force Marne) and a coin.
He received the award for the critical role he plays as the lead instructor for training Iraqi soldiers in mortar gunnery drills.
‘His easygoing nature and personality allows for great interaction with (the) Iraqis, which in-turn helps him communicate his knowledge of his profession,? said 1st Lt. Jennifer L. Palmeri, the public affairs officer for Stother’s brigade. ‘By the end of the training event, the soldiers were placing and recovering their 60mm mortars without assistance or guidance.?
Deployed from Fort Stewart, Georgia, Task Force Marne encompasses more than 21,000 soldiers and civilians operating in the Ninewa, Kirkuk, Salah-ad-Din and Diyala provinces.
The task force’s mission is to partner with Iraqi Security Forces in the conduct of full spectrum operations across northern Iraq in order to secure the populace, neutralize violent extremist networks and support the further development of a sovereign, stable and self-reliant Iraq.
The type of work done by Stothers is absolutely critical to the mission’s success.
‘These training events are crucial to the development of the Iraqi Army because (they are) intended to instill knowledge and confidence in Iraqi leaders so when they return to their unit, they are able to instruct their own soldiers,? Palmeri said.
‘Any amount of training that we can provide the Iraqi Security Forces is important,? Stothers said. ‘It will enable them to stand on their own two feet when we inevitably leave.?
Despite the language barrier, the training exercises are going well.
‘In my opinion, the Iraqi Army has made incredible progress,? Stothers said. ‘Our role seems to be much more of an advisory one. The Iraqis are handling many things independent of us now.?
Stothers anticipates coming home late this summer. He misses his family, friends and ‘just being able to take a drive.? His parents are Dean and Theresa Stothers, of Oxford.