Sergeant Ashley Klipfel
Service Branch: United States Army Reserve
Combat Action: Operation Iraqi Freedom (Two Tours - Iraq & Kuwait)
Home Town: Lincoln (Currently Resides in Lodgepole)
Military Specialty: Wheeled Vehicle Mechanic (Heavy Equipment Transports)
Unit: 443rd Transportation Co., 450th Transportation Btn., 561st Regional Support Grp.
Citations and Awards: - National Defense Service Medal
- Iraq Campaign Medal w/ Star
- Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary & Service Medals
- Driver & Mechanics Badge w/ Wheeled Vehicle Clasp
- 3 Army Commendatjion Medals
- Numerous Achievement & Service Citations
Ashley Klipfel grew up fast. She
had to. In the space of 15 months she went from being an 18-year-old Community
College coed in Lincoln, Nebraska to being an Army Reserve Heavy Wheeled
Transport Mechanic in Iraq. Her studies moved from Early Childhood Education to
the straight lines and square corners of the Basic Combat Training Manual of
Arms to Diesel Engine Fuel Injection and Heavy Wheeled Transport Drive Trains.
Amid all of these changes in her life, Ashley’s mother, quite suddenly and
quite unexpectedly, died. Now in addition to everything else, Ashley faced caring
for her 16-year-old sister.
Mustering what resources she
could to provide for her sister and navigating the obstacles of Army Reserve Unit
reorganization, Ashley drilled with the 308th Transportation Company
in Lincoln as they prepared to deploy in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Medical
exams, vaccinations, and all their paperwork had to be squared away before
mobilization training started in Ft. Riley, KS. While planning for their
traditional mission of Logistical Transport Convoy, the 308th was
notified that their mission in Iraq would also include Convoy Security.
In March 2006, they were “in country…boots on the ground,” setting up the
motor pool, defining operational protocols, generally getting the fleet road
worthy, and learning the geography by riding “right seat” with the departing
unit. Ashley’s motor pool platoon did everything humanly and logistically
possible to get the battle-worn equipment they inherited on the road. Eventually,
replacement vehicles arrived, but the experience sharpened their skills in
operating and maintaining vehicles and weapons systems under remote, desert
combat conditions. Once oriented, acclimated, and equipped, Ashley took part in
convoy security missions which were run at night while the Iraqi population was
ordered off the roads. 19-year-old Private First Class Klipfel was 7,000 miles
away from home, seeing a part of the world entirely different from anything in
Lincoln, Nebraska.
Fast-forward two years, saddle up, and do it all, again.
By now, the 308th Medium Transport Company had grown into the 443rd
Heavy Equipment Transport Company…the Titans,
and Sergeant Klipfel wore two more
chevrons on her sleeve. The Company deployed in February, 2009 to Camp Arifjan
in Kuwait with Ashley in a leadership role as a service supervisor. She was
also charged with maintaining all service-part and bench-stock inventories. It
was a hot, heavy tour with a much bigger company and a great deal more personal
responsibility.
Today, Ashley lives with her son
in Lodgepole, works in Women’s’ Outerwear
Merchandizing at Cabela’s Corporate Office in Sidney, and continues her
Reserve Unit service with the 443rd Transportation Company. Some
might see how she’s grown and say “A-B-C – Adversity
Builds Character.” While she certainly has strength of character, Ashley
doesn’t merely deal with adversity. She meets
challenges. Whether she’s augmenting product lines for a major outdoor retail chain, overhauling diesel engines for the 443rd Titans, or taking care of those she
loves, Sergeant Ashley Klipfel is truly…Army
Strong.
