501st Ordance Battalion

Paul Post
Special to The Record

SCOTIA — Thirteen months ago they went to Iraq for one of the military’s most dangerous missions: neutralizing roadside bombs and explosive devices.

Back home safe and sound, and surrounded by loved ones, members of the Army National Guard’s 501st Ordnance Battalion celebrated a job well done during a Freedom Salute ceremony at Stratton Air National Guard Base on Saturday.

Time alone will tell how Iraq does on its own following the recent withdrawal of U.S. troops. But soldiers who served there, left knowing they did everything possible to bring stability to the Middle East nation.

"It was a real transitional time while we were there, turning a lot of authority over to the Iraqis," said Maj. Douglas Baker of Saratoga Springs. "They really needed our help. We played a pivotal role. We taught them the best that we could. I’m confident that we did everything that we could to help them govern their own people military-wise. We gave them the tools, the know-how. It’s really up to them to make it happen now."

The unit was commanded by Lt. Col. Robert Mitchell of Ballston Lake.

"In the spirit of the minuteman, this outfit laid down their plows, picked up their muskets and served their country," he said. "We still have a need for citizen-soldiers."

Several other Saratoga County soldiers went to Iraq with the unit - Ssg. Arthur VanNess of Providence, 1st Lt. Salvatore Cautela of Saratoga Springs, Master Sgt. Kevin Conklin of Ballston Spa, Spc. Jeffrey Gipe of Corinth and Pfc. Sean Gailor of the Saratoga area.

Cautela, 38, spent eight years in the Marines before joining the Guard full-time in 2005. The recent Iraq mission was his third deployment, but possibly not his last.

"With the way things are in Afghanistan, another combat deployment certainly is more probable than improbable," he said.

The 501st - an explosive ordnance disposal unit - was based in Basra, in southeast Iraq. Continued...


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"Any travel on roads was very harrowing," Cautela said. "Convoys were getting blown up all the time. We were actually rocketed at the airport, with 90 minutes to go while waiting to leave the country."

Kind of a parting shot from insurgents.

Compared to eight or 10 years ago, however, Iraq now is relatively peaceful. Cautela said that he, too, is confident about the country’s future.

"If things go as they’re going right now, yes," he said. "The Iraqi army and police are a lot more professional."

The 501st, which returned home on Oct. 15, has been awarded a Meritorious Unit Commendation and each soldier was presented with individual honors including medals, certificates, a U.S. flag and gifts such as a handsome mantle clock.

"You’ve done something you should be proud of all the rest of the days of your life," Brig. Gen. Michael Swezey said.

"This mission is accomplished," said Maj. Gen. Patrick Murphy, 52nd adju¬tant general of New York State