BRONZE STAR NARRATIVE

STAFF SERGEANT CARL D. CARDEN

HEADQUARTERS AND HEADQUARTERS TROOP

1^st SQUADRON, 91^st CAVALRY

TASK FORCE SABER

From 20070513 Thru 20080815

      While serving as Headquarters’ Platoon Sergeant for Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 1^st Squadron, 91^st Cavalry (Airborne), SSG Carden has served with phenomenally meritorious distinction from 13 May 2007 to 15 August 2008. SSG Carden’s absolutely unrelenting attention to detail, remarkable ability to coordinate with external organizations, and absolutely unstoppable work ethic has established him as an invaluable asset within the Squadron and are without question worthy of special recognition in the form of a Bronze Star Medal. SSG Carden’s ability to multi-task coupled with his mission focus directly impacted the Squadrons ability to operate en-mass in areas accessible only by air.

      From the onset of his arrival SSG Carden aggressively took control of all aerial operations encompassing the Naray, Ghaziabad, and Kamdesh districts. Within the first month, he tripled the operational management of aircraft from the previous unit. His tactical experience enabled him to write the SOP of all airfield activities within the Task Force area of responsibility. On average he successfully landed, fueled, uploaded, rearmed, and launched no less than 90 rotor-wing aircraft per month. He has coordinated for the transportation on average in excess of 600,000 pounds of life sustaining food, supplies, and ammunition per month. He also coordinated and managed over 10 Combat Delivery System (CDS) parachute drops providing much needed class I resupply.

      During his tenure as Platoon Sergeant SSG Carden engaged and destroyed over 20 Anti-Coalition Militia (ACM) in 7 different fire fights. During the most recent engagement, SSG Carden was wounded by the propellant from an RPG, yet remained on his MK 19, effectively engaging the enemy. He personally supervised and executed the recovery of one UH 60 Blackhawk helicopter and one M1114 up armored HMMWV that had rolled into the Landay Sin river.

      He personally orchestrated the precedence for rearming combat aircraft during contact and reorganized the landing zone to facilitate up to 18 aircraft in a 1 ½ kilometer zone of operation. He managed the safe landing of 2 damaged attack helicopters, 1 damaged UH60, 1 damaged MI-17 resupply aircraft, and the aerial evacuation of 1 disabled UH 60. On average he managed over 5 casualty evacuations per month and the movement of innumerable personnel into and out of the area of operations.

      SSG Carden’s ability to maneuver and adjust his surroundings coupled with his ability to think “outside the box” has established him as an absolutely invaluable integral asset to the Squadron. His actions and professionalism truly serve as an example for all to follow and reflect great credit upon himself, Task Force Saber, Combined Task Force Bayonet, Combined Joint Task Force-82, and the United States Central Command.