38th Sustainment Brigade assumes command in Kuwait
Story by Sgt. William E. Henry, 38th Sustainment Brigade
CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait -- The Indiana Army National Guard's 38th Sustainment Brigade uncased their colors and assumed command of sustainment operations at a transfer of authority ceremony held at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, Oct. 18.
The 113th Sustainment Brigade, North Carolina Army National Guard, relinquished command to the 38th. The 38th's mission will be to oversee supply and support operations across the Southwest Asian theater in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
The 113th has spent nearly a year sustaining forces for Operation Enduring Freedom and retrograding equipment from Iraq during the drawdown and closeout of Operation New Dawn. The commander, Col. David Jones, said he is proud of the work his Soldiers have accomplished during their deployment.
"It is overwhelming to witness what a team effort can accomplish," said Jones. "Let there be no question that the accomplishments of the brigade cannot be highlighted by any one officer, NCO, staff section or groups of Soldiers… It must be a team effort from start to finish, top to bottom."
Brig. Gen. Bud Jameson, 316th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) commander, spoke during the ceremony and praised the 113th for their work and spoke encouraging and defining words to those in attendance.
"The Soldiers of the Steel Brigade will not be known for doing what they were trained to do, but for accomplishing everything they were asked to do," said Jameson. "By your hard work, sweat and sacrifice, you've enhanced the reputation of Citizen-Soldiers and proven beyond a doubt, by any measure, by anyone, that as National Guard Soldiers you can perform as well, or better, than any U.S. Soldier in any component of the Army."
The 38th commander, Col. Deedra Thombleson, said her team may smaller, but they're ready for the task at hand.
"The sustainment brigade is coming in lean and strong. The motto of the 113th is 'One team, twice as strong,' we like to joke at being half the team, but four times as strong," said Thombleson. "We remain ready and focused to take on the ever-changing mission."
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