The recent observance of Veteran’s Day provides an appropriate opportunity to introduce PDS’ new building inspector. Gary Forsyth, II enlisted in the Kentucky Army National Guard in March of 2007 in an effort to serve his community and the commonwealth.
Upon entering the Guard, Gary chose the military occupational specialty (MOS) code for vertical construction, as he was interested in engineering. Gary is currently a Carpentry Masonry Sergeant (SGT) (E-5) with the 149th Vertical Construction Company (VCC) based in Cynthiana.
In 2010, leaving a five-day-old baby girl and new mom at home SGT. Forsyth arrived at training in Hohenfels, Germany. The training was to prepare him for combat deployment with an exercise in building replica cities for infantry units. The major challenge while training in Germany was converting imperial measurements to metric. The conversion did not always work well, so the company went out and bought metric tools to finish the job.
SGT. Forsyth was deployed in 2013 to Afghanistan during Operation ENDURING FREEDOM as a team leader of five soldiers, eventually placed as a squad leader of two teams for a total 12 soldiers. In June of that year, the soldiers of the 149th VCC were tasked with a very high priority construction mission at Bagram Air Field in Afghanistan.
The engineers were tasked with constructing a two story tactical operation command center for the 2nd Brigade, 1stCavalry Division, known as the “Black Jack” Brigade that were due to arrive in Afghanistan during the summer. Some challenges of constructing buildings in Afghanistan were convoy trucks with supplies could be blown up and new materials would have to be sent. Also, local materials were sometimes used in construction, and the quality of the resources was questionable and tricky to incorporate into the build.
The VCC completed the critical Cavalry construction and exceeded expectations creating a conference table in the shape of the Cavalry patch and includes all the likeness of the very recognizable yellow shield that is established as the symbol of the United States Cavalry. Due to the company’s fine work and for going above and beyond the call of construction, to show their gratitude the “Black Jack” Brigade held a surprise ceremony to induct those Soldiers into the “Order of the Combat Spurs” to show their appreciation.
From that day forward, the 2/1 Cavalry Division recognized the Soldiers of the 149th by issuing the award that authorizes the troops that are given the prestigious honor to wear the Cavalry Stetson and Combat Spurs in noted situations as honorary members of the Cavalry.
SGT. Forsyth’s highest award is the Bronze Star for meritorious service during deployment. From the narrative Bronze Star submittal, “SGT. Forsyth demonstrated outstanding professional skill, knowledge, devotion to duty, and determination. He was instrumental in the success of 12 vertical construction missions, one being a theater priority $1.3 million Tactical Operations Center for the 2-1 Cavalry.”
When asked what SGT. Forsyth missed the most on deployment to Afghanistan he responded, “No question, it was my kids and family.”
“We’re really proud to have Gary on our team,” concluded Dennis Gordon, FAICP, PDS’ executive director. “The experience he received and is still receiving in the Kentucky Army National Guard is extremely beneficial to his responsibilities with PDS. We continue to thank him for his service to our country.”