CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait - A storied U.S. Army Central unit cased its colors for the final time Sept. 28, 2016 during an inactivation ceremony at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait.
Third Army Augmentation Company, an Army Reserve company, ended its 27-year mission supporting the active duty USARCENT mission in the Middle East and Southwest Asia.
Col. Douglas A. Cherry, the Third Army Augmentation Company reviewing officer, told the Soldiers the fact that the company was being inactivated in 2016 was actually a testament to its enduring successes.
"You are still here because you did everything right," Cherry told the formation.
In the 2003, the Army reorganized all of its augmentation units - with the exception of the Third Army unit.
"This is the only company remaining because of the great work you and all of your predecessors have done," he said.
The company has been responsible for planning, exercising and rapid deployment capabilities other Army Reserve units to respond to crisis situations.
The unit was activated in 1989. Its first detachment deployed in 1990 to support Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm during the Gulf War.
The company has played a vital role in USARCENT during the past 15 years, as the mission shifted to support Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Inherent Resolve. Since the September 11, 2001 attacks, the company deployed 60 detachments - each consisting of about 60 Army Reserve Soldiers - to support missions in the Middle East and Southwest Asia.
Lt. Col. James L. Dobrinska, USARCENT (Forward) Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion commander, said the company had always maintained a high standard despite supporting some of the most difficult missions.
"Know this Augmentation Company, you should be proud to know you put forth some of the Army's best Soldiers," he said.
The company will officially inactivate Oct. 15.
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