Area Support Group-Kuwait welcomes new commander

By Sgt. Brandon HubbardAugust 2, 2016

Area Support Group-Kuwait welcomes new commander
1 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Col. Jeff R. Stewart, outgoing commander of Area Support Group - Kuwait, tells the Soldiers, civilians and contractors under his command how essential they were to supporting missions in Kuwait during his 12-month tenure. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Bra... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Area Support Group-Kuwait welcomes new commander
2 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Subordinate unit commanders to Area Support Group - Kuwait salute during the posting of the colors at a change of command ceremony July 30 at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait. The U.S. Army Central-commanded support group maintains bases and staging areas throug... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Area Suppor Group-Kuwait welcomes new commander
3 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Command Sgt. Maj. Matthew C. Erickson, the senior enlisted leader of Area Support Group - Kuwait, presents Col. Jeff R. Stewart, outgoing ASG-Kuwait commander, the colors for the final time during a change of command ceremony July 30 at Camp Arifjan,... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Area Support Group-Kuwait welcomes new commander
4 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Army Central Soldiers under the command of Area Support Group-Kuwait stand at parade rest during a change of command ceremony July 30 at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait. The support group was originally founded in 1991 and has supported Operation Desert St... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Area Support Group-Kuwait welcomes new commander
5 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – From center to right: Col. Joseph W. Power, IV, incoming Area Support Group-Kuwait commander, Maj. Gen. William Hickman, deputy commanding general for U.S. Army Central, and Col. Jeff R. Stewart, outgoing commander of ASG-Kuwait, walk to their seats ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

CAMP ARIFJAN, KUWAIT - Soldiers and Kuwaiti dignitaries welcomed the incoming Area Support Group-Kuwait commander and congratulated the outgoing commander for his work July 30 during a change of command ceremony at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait.

The unit, ASG-Kuwait, is responsible for maintaining base operations and equipment across Kuwait for the Army, Marines, Navy and Coast Guard service members stationed in one of USARCENT's key partner nations.

Col. Jeff. R. Stewart, who has served as the ASG-Kuwait commander for the past year, passed unit colors to the incoming commander, Col. Joseph W. Power IV, who immediately assumed command.

"Under (Col.) Jeff Stewart's leadership, the ASG has excelled at supporting all operations and capabilities of our units in Kuwait by providing security, life support, quality training areas, staging areas and deployment facilities, while improving our relationship with our Kuwaiti partners," said Maj. Gen. William B. Hickman, deputy commander of U.S. Army Central.

Hickman said the last point - maintaining the relationship with the host nation - is very important to the U.S. Army Central capabilities in the region.

"He has put in a lot of time and effort to make the lives of our Soldiers serving here a little bit better," Hickman said, citing the many base facilities like the education center, multiple fitness centers, USO, community centers and swimming pool.

"All these events and all these resources go a little bit toward making our separation from our families more bearable," Hickman said.

ASG-Kuwait was originally activated in November 1991 as the Combat Equipment Group-Southwest Asia to support Kuwait under the Defense Cooperation Agreement following Operation Desert Storm. Five years later, the group was renamed U.S. Army Central-Kuwait and went on to support Operation Iraqi Freedom with 250,000 U.S. and Coalition forces moving through the Iraqi border nation. The unit was then given its current name in May 2004.

Today, the unit is filled with military, civilian and contractor workers who keep the bases running and the missions supported.

"It is a very unique mission," Hickman said.

In leaving command, Stewart said he will always remember the warm hospitality of his Kuwaiti hosts and the people who worked for him.

"I'd like to thank the Soldiers, civilians and contractors of ASG-Kuwait for the tremendous job that they perform every day," Stewart said. "It has truly been an honor and a privilege to serve for you."

Stewart will continue his career in Washington, D.C. with the Department of the Army Inspector General.

The incoming commander, Col. Power, assumes command after serving as the commander of the 1st Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault).

"This unit's accomplishments in the past year in the U.S. Army Central area of operations is remarkable," Power said, taking the podium as the new commander. "...I look forward to leading you in the coming year."