CAMP AS SAYLIYAH, Qatar - Maj. Gen. Randy Manner, Third Army/U.S. Army Central deputy commanding general, arrived here today to meet with Florida National Guard troops.
The 53rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, the largest National Guard unit in Florida, deployed between late 2009 and early 2010 to take over base defense and route security in Iraq and Kuwait. Bravo Troop abruptly left Kuwait in March to dissolve a long-held reliance on security contractors at Camp As Sayliyah.
"I am very pleased to see how quickly the 53rd brigade reacted to replace civilian security forces," said Manner, referring to Camp As Sayliyah. "They did it with great professionalism and speed. Their mission is critical to our nation's efforts in this part of the world."
Camp As Sayliyah is a robust materiel organization and distribution hub located along the eastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula. The installation contains the only authorized Central Command rest and recuperation pass program, which affords a four-day respite from regional conflicts.
"Everyone in Florida should be extremely proud of these men and women" said Manner, who has served as a National Guardsman for 24 years, following 10 years in the regular Army. "They represent the very best of our country as citizen soldiers."
Spc. Nic Fox was approached by Manner while providing oversight at a vehicle entry-control point. The Soldier snapped to attention - body erect, legs straight and hands clenched at his hips.
"I had never talked to anyone this high ranking before," said Fox, who joined the Florida National Guard in February 2007. "He was checking out our positions to see how we're doing."
Fox says Bravo Troop is "doing pretty good," considering temperatures in Qatar have routinely surpassed 110-degrees Fahrenheit, roughly 20 degrees hotter than current conditions in his hometown. "We have fans, enough water and we know how to stay properly hydrated."
"I am proud of them," said Manner, "and their families and their employers back home who support them."