Unit’s mission: Deliver supplies, represent Nevada

Jace Radke

Thursday, Jan. 27, 2005 | 10:59 a.m.

After completing more than 20 missions and driving nearly 350,000 miles in Iraq, the Henderson-based 1864th Transportation Co. is becoming well known as they truck supplies to their fellow soldiers.

"We are quickly becoming recognized in country as the 'Nevada trucks,' " Capt. Neil Oscarson stated in a recent e-mail sent home from Iraq. "We are representing Nevada proudly and have emblazoned all of our doors with a unit logo that is simply the outline of Nevada with 1864 stenciled down the right side (imagine Elko to Las Vegas)."

Oscarson, who commands the approximately 160 citizen-soldiers with the Nevada Army National Guard unit, said in the e-mail that the company is planning on adding two winged dice to the logos for Las Vegas.

The 1864th was sent to Iraq last summer to truck supplies and equipment across the desert during an 18-month deployment. The unit's tractor-trailers were shipped to the Middle East, and the company has been busy delivering supplies and equipment in Iraq while being based at Camp Arifjan in Kuwait.

Tuesday Perkins, whose husband is with the 1864th, said that any news from her husband and the unit is welcome.

"We usually get a chance to talk a few minutes everyday, but sometimes that's all you need," Perkins said of her husband, Sgt. 1st Class Kelwin Perkins. "He told me the other day that just by hearing my voice for a couple minutes he feels like he is home for a second and the rest of his day runs a little smoother."

Oscarson stated in the e-mail that soldiers are looking forward to this weekend's elections in Iraq, and are hoping that it results in fewer attacks and helps ease the worry that family members such as Perkins feel.

"Right now we are working our way through the Iraqi elections and are hoping that things will cool down as the new republic of Iraq is under a self-appointed government and working closer to self rule and protection," Oscarson stated.

The 1864th has trucked supplies and equipment to the Army's 1st Cavalry and the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force, among other units, Oscarson wrote.

"The soldiers are in great spirits and accept each new mission as a new challenge," according to the e-mail.

Oscarson said that the unit will likely only get busier as new soldiers rotate into Iraq in February and April.

"We anticipate every possible truck to be on the road over those months and we will be extremely busy hauling the arriving units," Oscarson wrote.

Christmas for the soldiers was a lonely time away from their families, but letters and gifts from the Las Vegas community helped immensely, according to Oscarson.

"We all loved to hear the stories of home and the caring of our friends at home helped to keep our minds off where we are right now, at least for a little while," Oscarson said. "Thanks again Nevada and please keep up the world-class support."