Army Field Support Battalion-Kuwait welcomes new commander

By U.S. ArmyJune 16, 2018

Army Field Support Battalion-Kuwait welcomes new commander
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Army Field Support Battalion-Kuwait welcomes new commander
2 / 7 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Sgt. Maj. Larry Montes, sergeant major, Army Field Support Battalion-Kuwait, passes the unit colors to Lt. Col. Mike Jordan, outgoing commander, AFSBn-Kuwait for the last time during a change of command ceremony for the AFSBn-Kuwait at Camp Arifjan, ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Army Field Support Battalion-Kuwait welcomes new commander
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4 / 7 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Maj. Geraldine Gutzwiler, executive officer, Army Field Support Battalion-Kuwait, salutes as the Commander of Troops during a change of command ceremony for the AFSBn-Kuwait at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, June 15. (U.S. Army Photo by Justin Graff, 401st AF... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Army Field Support Battalion-Kuwait welcomes new commander
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CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait -- Lt. Col. Christopher Garvin took command of the Army Field Support Battalion-Kuwait during a change of command ceremony here, June 15.

Garvin assumed command from Lt. Col. Mike Jordan, who held the position since June, 2017. Jordan is now slated to move on to the Pentagon for his follow-on assignment.

Col. Carmelia Scott-Skillern, commander, 401st Army Field Support Brigade, presided over the ceremony.

"Today we gather to recognize, thank, and bid farewell to Lt. Col. Jordan after a rigorous year of command in a vital location for stability throughout the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility," Scott-Skillern said. "Lt. Col. Jordan has displayed dedication, adaptability and innovation, and this battalion is fortunate to have had such a high level of leadership."

Jordan's year in command of the AFSBn-Kuwait included multiple high-visibility operations and a massive transition of how the battalion stores and manages APS-5 equipment.

"Under Lt. Col. Jordan's watch, the battalion amassed an impressive record of process improvement," Scott-Skillern said. "Among the most notable accomplishments was the transition of APS-5 equipment from Care of Supplies in Storage to Configured for Combat. The battalion truly spear-headed a major U.S. Army Sustainment Command priority, and the result bolsters power projection across the CENTCOM AOR with ready-to-fight combat power."

To mark the transfer of command, Sgt. Maj. Larry Montes, sergeant major, AFSBn-Kuwait, handed the unit colors to Jordan, who then passed them to Scott-Skillern. Scott-Skillern continued the rotation to Garvin. With his position as commander established, Garvin then passed the colors back to Montes for safekeeping.

In his farewell remarks, Jordan thanked his unit and his family, and welcomed Garvin.

"This journey has been the most mentally challenging and professionally rewarding journey of my career," said Jordan. "I would like to thank God for ordering my steps, and my family for their love and support.

"I attribute our successes to the leaders, Soldiers, Department of the Army civilians, contractors within the battalion, both past and present," he said. "Lt. Col. Garvin, I wish you and [your family] the best of luck and God speed in command. I know I am turning the battalion over to the right person with the right talents and leadership to take this organization to new heights."

Garvin comes to Kuwait from the Combined Arms Support Command at Fort Lee, Virginia.

"I am humbled to be joining a first string team of Soldiers, DA civilians, and contractors," Garvin said. "What each of you do every day is critically important to providing options for combatant commanders, ensuring Army Prepositioned Stocks-5 readiness, and supporting the warfighter.

"I look forward to the days ahead of getting to know the team and building upon the successes of this battalion with each of you," he said. "To my wife, Holly, thank you for the countless sacrifices and support over 16 years of marriage. I wish you were here with me to celebrate and share this moment. I love you and miss you very much. We will reunite before we know it."

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