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Jay Native, Century Correctional Employee Serving In Afghanistan Receives Awards

An Jay native assigned to NATO Training Mission – Afghanistan was recently awarded for actions taken in early August when his team successfully combated an insurgent attack in Kabul.

U.S. Army Sgt. Chester Tolbert helped defeat a multiphased attack in which insurgents used small-arms and improvised explosive devices to attack the British Council Building, a base located in a relatively upscale area of the country’s capital used for education and helping Afghanistan’s civil society groups. Although no U.S. service members were harmed, 12 people died in the attack.

Stateside, Tolbert was employed by the Florida Department of Corrections at Century Correctional Institution.

Commander Task Force Yankee Army Brig. Gen. John Hammond presented Tolbert with Joint Service Achievement Medal and combat action badge.

“I’m extremely proud of the soldiers,” said Hammond. “Our medics responded to the wounded while the remaining soldiers worked toward assisting the Afghan partners and special operations forces in neutralizing the insurgents … they all worked hard and came together extremely well.”

Pictured top: U.S. Army Sgt. Chester Tolbert, from the 1165th Military Police Unit assigned to Task Force Yankee in Kabul, receives a Joint Service Achievement Medal and a combat action badge for actions taken in early August when his team successfully combated an insurgent attack on the British Council Building.  Picture inset: Sgt. Tolbert helps an Afghan National Police officer detect vehicle threat indications in the heart of downtown Kabul last early last month. Photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Chris Fahey for NorthEscambia.com click to enlarge.