Page 10 - Flathead Beacon // 1.15.13

10 | JANUARY 15, 2014 NEWS FLATHEADBEACON.COM

A Change in Command for the 495th

Facts

FIGURES

Command Sgt.

Numbers in the news
Maj. Michael Perkio takes

over for Command Sgt. Maj.
1.04
Thomas Mooney
billion

By MOLLY PRIDDY of the Beacon
Tons of coal expected to
The Montana Army National Guard’s
be produced in the U.S.
this year, a 3.6 percent 495th Combat Sustainment Support Bat-
talion, headquartered in Kalispell, has a
increase from 2013.
new command sergeant major in charge.
During a Jan. 12 change of responsibil-
ity ceremony at the Kalispell Armed Forc-
$100,000
es Reserve Center, Command Sgt. Maj.
Thomas Mooney handed over responsi-
bility for the battalion to Command Sgt.
The amount a Montana
Maj. Michael Perkio.
Cash lottery ticket, Mooney, who deployed with the 495th
recently sold at Super to Afghanistan from 2012 to 2013, will
move to Butte to lead the 1889th Regional
1 Foods in Kalispell, is Support Group, where he will be respon- Change in responsibility ceremony for Kalispell’s 495th Combat Support Battalion.
worth.
sible for all deployment units in Montana.
MOLLY PRIDDY | FLATHEAD BEACON
During the ceremony, Mooney said irst became a command sergeant major
“I’M LEAVING MY FAMILY BEHIND.
74,000
that it was a bittersweet moment to relin- in 2011 with the 190th CSSB in Billings,
quish responsibility of the 495th.
WE’VE TRAINED TOGETHER, WE’VE and returned to take responsibility for the
“I’m leaving my family behind,” he SWEATED TOGETHER; WE’VE DONE 495th later that year.
The number of jobs said. “We’ve trained together, we’ve Mooney’s awards include the Bronze
sweated together; we’ve done some amaz- SOME AMAZING THINGS TOGETHER.” Star Medal, the Meritorious Service Med-
added by U.S. employers ing things together.”
al, the Army Commendation Medal with
in December, the fewest Mooney relected on the battalion’s Command Sgt. Maj. Thomas Mooney
three oak leaf clusters, the Army Achieve-
recent deployment to Afghanistan, where ment Medal with two oak leaf clusters, the
monthly total in three
years.
they oversaw hundreds of convoys over Army Achievement Medal, the Montana Afghanistan Campaign Medal with two
thousands of miles, and through atten- Army National Guard Campaign Ribbon, bronze stars, and many more.
tion to detail, brought all the soldiers back and many more.
Outside of the National Guard,
safely.
When not serving in the National Mooney has worked as a civilian techni-
6.7%
“To each and every one of the soldiers Guard, Perkio is a regional manager with cian for the Department of Defense in
in the 495th: Thank you,” Mooney said. the state’s Child Support Enforcement Di- Missoula for 20 years.
“I leave you in good hands with Sgt. Maj. vision. He is married to Lori, with whom he During the Jan. 12 ceremony, Lt. Col.
The U.S. unemployment Perkio.”
shares two daughters and one grandchild.
Donald Gillespie thanked Mooney for
rate in December, the
In the Montana Army National Guard, Mooney originally enlisted in the his outstanding leadership, and thanked
lowest since October Perkio has served as the evidence custo- Montana Army National Guard in 1982, Mooney’s wife DeeAnn, and his children
2008, but largely due dian and MPI section chief with the 143rd and was irst assigned to the 495th in Kellen and Kendall, for sharing him with
to the fact that many MP Detachment; as chemical operations 2006 as the operations NCO. In 2007, he the National Guard.
specialist, squad leader, platoon sergeant completed the Sergeants Major Academy, Gillespie also said Perkio is an “out-
Americans quit looking and irst sergeant with the 631st Chemical and was deployed in 2008 as an embedded standing, stellar, top-notch senior NCO,”
for jobs.
Company; as operations sergeant for the training team member with the Second and he should be pleased with the soldiers

495th; and as commandant of HQ 208th Battalion, Second Brigade, 201st Corps of and NCOs of the 495th.
Regiment.
the Afghan National Army.
“They’re some of the best in the Mon-
Perkio’s awards include the Bronze When he returned from Afghanistan, tana Army National Guard, bar none,”
Star Medal, the Meritorious Service Med- he was assigned as the senior mechanical Gillespie said.
al, the Army Commendation Medal, the
maintenance NCO of the 495th. Mooney
[email protected]
Have you or
in

for at least 6 months,
If so, you may be eligible for a FREE
lived, worked played Libby, Montana
THANKS FOR LISTENING!!!
AT LEAST 10 YEARS AGO?

#2 STATION MID-DAYS
Asbestos Health Screening

For more information, please call toll free

1-855-891-CARD(2273)

or visit us online at www.libbyasbestos.org

Caring Pathways to Treatment
KOFIRADIO.COM
screening grant funded by the CDC
*EASTLAN FALL 2013 M-F 6AM-10AM
ADULTS 18+ CUME