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FOR RELEASE: Tuesday, Aug 28, 2012

LATHAM, NY (08/28/2012)(readMedia)-- New York Army National Guard Lt. Col. Joseph Bielher, commander of the 2nd Battalion, 108th Infantry, Task Force Iron presents the Purple Heart to Spcs. Steven Onofrey, right, from Monroe, N.Y., and Ruben Abreu from N.Y., N.Y. at a ceremony at Shindad Air Base, Afghanistan August 26. The two Soldiers, assigned to Company B, were recognized for wounds received during their support to OPERATION SHRIMPS NET. The Soldiers were wounded July 13 in Farah Province, Afghanistan, when insurgents attacked their M-ATV, a mine-resistant, ambush-protected all-terrain vehicle, with an IED. Operation Shrimps Net was a recently concluded operation that took place in Farah province, in the southern part of Regional Command West Area of responsibility (AOR). Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) worked together with Italian Task Forces throughout the operation. The activities were aimed to unravel the network of insurgents and take full control of Gulistan district, which is back in the hands of the Afghans. Also wounded was Sgt. Kieran Murphy, from Pearl River, N.Y. Murphy is now convalescing at Fort Drum. Photo courtesy of 1st Lt. Jason Uhlig, 2nd Battalion, 108th Infantry.