Carter Recognizes Agency Devoted to Improvised Threats

By Melissa Tune

Joint Improvised-Threat Defeat Agency

WASHINGTON, July 17, 2015 – Defense Secretary Ash Carter presented the Joint Meritorious Unit Award to the Joint Improvised Explosive Device Defeat Organization -- now called the Joint Improvised-Threat Defeat Agency -- in a Pentagon ceremony yesterday.

“You are founders and pioneers in the things that you’ve done for the department,” Carter said. “You made rapid acquisition what it is today. We recognize your contributions and applaud the great things you’ve done to make a difference against IEDs.”

Flanked by members of the unit, Carter presented the award to JIDA’s director, Army Lt. Gen. John D. Johnson. Frank Kendall, undersecretary of defense for acquisition, technology and logistics, also was on hand.

The award recognizes the agency for its efforts in mitigating the IED threat from 2006 to 2012 in support of operations Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom and New Dawn. The citation said the efforts of the agency have directly assisted U.S. and coalition forces.

Team Effort

Johnson credited a greater team for the work that earned the award, noting that the agency’s personnel for its efforts in mitigating the IED threat from 2006 to 2012 in support of operations Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom and New Dawn. worked with the services, the Office of the Secretary of Defense and the commanders and troops in the field.

“This was a true team effort,” he said. “JIDA will dedicate itself to meeting warfighters’ urgent needs through even greater collaboration in the future.”

At the end of the ceremony, Johnson presented Carter with the last official JIEDDO challenge coin to signify the legacy of the old organization and JIDA’s establishment earlier this week.

JIEDDO was established in 2006 to counter the emerging threats presented by IEDs. In March, Defense Department officials announced JIEDDO’s transition from a wartime activity to a defense agency under the authority, direction and control of Kendall’s office.

Any military member assigned to JIEDDO from 2006 through 2012 is authorized to wear this Joint Meritorious Unit Award.