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Navy Customs Battalion Tango Hits Passenger Milestone

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS080126-08
Release Date: 1/26/2008 5:05:00 PM

By Lt. Cmdr. Aaron Greene, Navy Expeditionary Logistics Support Group Public Affairs

CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait (NNS) -- Navy Customs Battalion Tango recognized its 100,000th homeward-bound passenger as he headed through a customs inspection Jan. 15, a milestone since Tango's assumption of duties in Oct. 2007.

Private 1st Class Valentin Alvarado of Headquarters Troop, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Calvary Division was the distinguished passenger processing through the U.S. Army's LSA camp in central Kuwait on his way home.

Alvarado and his unit are heading home to Fort Hood, Texas, after a 15-month deployment in Taji, Iraq.
Known as the "Iron Horse Brigade," Alvarado's unit was responsible for a 350 square mile section west of Baghdad. Their commander is U.S. Army Col. Paul E. Funk.

"The completion of 100,000 passengers by Navy Customs during this period is a significant milestone for U.S. Navy Customs," said Cmdr. Mark Schwartzel, commanding officer of Navy Customs Battalion Tango. "More passengers were processed during this short period of time than ever before. The hard work, countless hours of inspection services and superior customer service are a testimony to the Sailors who form Bravo Company. I am extremely proud of this accomplishment and look forward to their continued support of our returning heroes. Well Done! Bravo Zulu."

Alvardo was surprised and honored when presented with a personalized certificate along with a Navy Customs Tango T-shirt, souvenir coin, and patch.

Bravo Company is one of five Navy Customs companies operating in Kuwait and Iraq. The primary mission of Navy Customs is to protect the citizens and economy of the U.S. from foreign diseases and agricultural pests.

Navy Customs also keeps our returning heroes safe by preventing dangerous items such as grenades and ammunition from getting onboard the aircraft that transport troops home.

By performing customs inspections in theater, returning heroes such as Alvarado can be reunited with family and friends sooner by not having to clear customs in the U.S.

Navy Customs Battalion Tango is the sixth Navy Customs rotation since 2004. Navy Customs is part of Navy Expeditionary Logistics Support Group (NAVELSG) based at Cheatham Annex, Yorktown Naval Weapons Station, Va.