CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait - The North Carolina Army National Guard's
Greensboro-based 113th Sustainment Brigade accepted the critical mission of
supporting American forces in Southwest Asia from the Tennessee Army National
Guard's 230th Sustainment Brigade during a change of authority ceremony at
the Zone One gym here, Dec. 27.
Leaving their home station of Chattanooga, Tenn., in January of last year,
Army Col. Mark Hart, the brigade commander, led the 230th soldiers into
history.
Once the unit landed here, the 230th became the only Army sustainment brigade
in Kuwait. The unit's mission was also historic - supporting U.S. forces
stationed in Iraq and Afghanistan while participating in the responsible
drawdown of forces from Iraq. The unit was also in charge of safely moving
U.S. personnel and equipment out of the southern part of Iraq.
Both units participated in a two week-long transition process where the North
Carolina unit shadowed their counterparts for a week, while the Tennessee
unit stood by the next week to provide any last-minute advice or assistance
for the incoming team.
"The 113th Sustainment Brigade is a great organization," said Hart during the
transfer ceremony. "They are real 'super troopers.'"
The 230th SB's brigade, battalion and company colors were rolled up and cased
in front of an audience mixed with Soldiers from various units here, to
include the 364th Expeditionary Sustainment Command, the higher headquarters
for the incoming 113th SB.
Once the brigade colors were carefully wrapped up by Hart and Army Command
Sgt. Maj. Stanley Massengale, brigade sergeant major, Army Col. David Jones,
commander of the 113th SB, and Army Command Sgt. Maj. William Gill, 113th SB
sergeant major, unfurled their unit's colors and stood at attention as it was
raised next to the American flag.
"It has been an honor and a humbling experience working with the 'Old
Hickory' team as we transfer responsibility of the mission for the
sustainment brigade here in Kuwait," said Jones.
Jones wished good luck and safe travel to the outgoing unit and addressed the
364th ESC representatives present, which included Army Brig. Gen. Jonathan G.
Ives, commanding general, and Army Command Sgt. Maj. Thomas W. Jennings, the
command sergeant major of the 364th ESC.
"You have a trained and ready sustainment brigade that is proactive and
flexible to accept any mission and that will be an asset to your team," said
Jones. "We will be one team, twice as strong!"