BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan -- Col. Edward Burke assumed command of the 401st Army Field Support Brigade from Col. Mark Paget, Sept. 9, in a ceremony presided by Brig. Gen. Duane Gamble.
Gamble, who is the 1st Theater Support Command (Forward) deputy commanding general, welcomed Burke to the team and thanked Paget for leading the brigade's 53,000 Soldiers, civilians and contractors during the past year.
"Mark you will be missed. As we say farewell, I want to thank you for the level of proficiency and energy you displayed," Gamble said. "Ed welcome. You will lead this team during a time of transition as the U.S. and Afghanistan work to determine our post-2014 presence. The 401st AFSB will shift focus, continuing to provide equipment to the warfighter while simultaneously supporting retrograde, reset and redistribution."
Paget, who will become the deputy to the commanding officer of 593rd Expeditionary Sustainment Brigade at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., thanked the 401st AFSB battalion commanders, senior enlisted advisers and his deputy, Martin Utzig, for their support during his time as commander.
"To my battalion commanders -- Cook, Sliwinski, Burnley and Speaks -- you are the best team a guy could ever ask for and the kind of leaders I would trust to coach, mentor, train and lead my own sons in wartime. To Command Sgt. Maj. Chavez and Command Sgt. Maj. Odoms, thank you for your patience, trust and professionalism and helping me to pause, reflect and strategize to help make everyday better for our brigade in support of the warfighter," Paget said.
"Marty, you epitomize everything that is great about AMC and the power of the enterprise. You are a dedicated and loyal professional with years of experience and an incredible network of expert logisticians who enabled us to support the warfighter," he said.
Burke, who previoulsy served as a distribution action officer and as the chief of Strategic communication for the Joint Staff's Logistics Directorate, thanked Paget for his support during the transition.
"I want to share my sincerest gratitude with Col. Paget for making my last few days a deliberate and thorough transition into the 401st AFSB team. Your love for this organization is evident and your time with me is much appreciated," Burke said.
"To the 401st team, it is an honor to serve among you. Collectively, you represent everything that I hold dear -- dogged commitment, exacting competence and flawless professionalism, Burke saud. "Leading an organization with the unmatched capability of the 401st is more than I could ask for. I look forward to writing the next chapter of this remarkable organization's book with each of you as we make a direct and important impact on our Army's readiness."
Burke is a distinguished military graduate of the University of Scranton where he received a bachelor's degree in history. He also holds a master's degree from the University of Oklahoma in International Relations and a master's degree from the Defense University's Eisenhower School for National Security and Resource Strategy. His personal awards include the Bronze Star Medal, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal and the Meritorious Service Medal to name a few.
The 401st AFSB executes, directs and manages field and sustainment level logistics for U.S. and selected coalition forces in Afghanistan. The brigade serves as the single-entry point for integration and synchronization for acquisition, logistics and technology between the tactical and the materiel enterprise while enhancing unit readiness and improving combat capability in accordance with U.S. Army Central and U.S. Forces-Afghanistan priorities.
It is one of seven brigades that fall under the U.S. Army Sustainment Command headquartered at Rock Island Arsenal, Ill. ASC supports Army and joint forces in support of the combat commanders around the world.
Gamble previously served as the deputy commanding general at ASC.
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