Brooklyn National Guard Soldier is recognized for outstanding service on duty in Kuwait

Sgt. Joseph Billalba was named sustainer of the week by the 369th Sustainment Brigade

Camp Arifjan, Kuwait (03/02/2023) — A New York Army National Guard Soldier from 82nd Street in Brooklyn has been recognized for his service while deployed to Kuwait in support of Army operations in the Middle East.

Sgt. Joseph Billalba, a network communications specialist assigned to the 187th Signal Company, was named a sustainer of the week by the 369th Sustainment Brigade.

The brigade specializes in keep Army units operating while they are deployed.

Billalba was recognized by Sgt. Major Curtiss Moss, the brigade's senior enlisted leader during a Feb. 21, ceremony at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait.

Billalba was chosen for his outstanding work at a forward logistics site.

Billalba was entrusted by the company leadership to serve as the communications and signal section's noncommissioned officer in charge for the forward logistics element under the 369th Sustainment Brigade at the Prince Sultan Air Base, Saudi Arabia.

Due to issues with scheduling flights, Billalba arrived late and did not have the luxury of having a formal exchange of information with the outgoing company. Despite those challenges he persevered and made connections with key personnel there to ensure continuous communication operations.

Billalba quickly integrated with the Air Force communications section there. He execute tasks without orders or guidance for cable management within the site's tactical operations center, eliminated hazards, and ensured safety and quality assurance of communication capabilities.

His team handles many troubleshooting tickets a week and proficiently executes tasks typically reserved for a brigade-level communications and signal section.

As a leader Billalba emphasizes physical fitness for his Soldiers, holding monthly voluntary push up competitions and instructs both his Soldiers and the other Soldiers on site the proper way to lift weights maximizing fitness while minimizing injuries.

Billalba said he is proud to be the first in his family to join the military.

The 369th Sustainment Brigade is headquartered at the Harlem Armory in Manhattan. The brigade traces its history back to the 369th Infantry Regiment, an African-American New York National Guard unit which fought with the French Army during World War I.

The unit earned its nickname "The Harlem Hellfighters" from the German soldiers who fought against them in France during that war.

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