HUNTER ARMY AIRFIELD, Ga. - Third Infantry Division commander Maj. Gen. Robert "Abe" Abrams presented the 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade's 603rd Aviation Support Battalion with the Maintenance Excellence Award for Large Aviation Support Units Dec. 1, during a ceremony at brigade headquarters.
The award, given by Maj. Gen. Abrams on behalf of Forces Command, recognized the 603rd ASB for its outstanding performance during their deployment to Afghanistan in 2010 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
The entire battalion stood in formation in front of brigade headquarters, the guidons waving the 603rd standard in the late morning breeze.
Major General Abrams spoke in front of the Marne Air rock and brought the battalion into a horseshoe to speak intimately with the award-winning Soldiers.
"It was long overdue," said Maj. Gen. Abrams. "Without you, nobody else in the brigade could do their jobs." Abrams stayed after the presentation to field questions from the crowd who engaged him eagerly.
Lieutenant Colonel Andrew Gignilliat, Workhorse battalion commander, said he was humbled to have inherited a unit of such distinction.
"I'm extremely proud of my Soldiers for the work they've done and continue to do,"Lt. Col. Gignilliat said. "As a commander, you want to challenge your Soldiers, but with their high level of excellence, they're challenging me just as much."
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