CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait - A Citizen-Soldier, South Bend native and employee with the city made an impact in worldwide affairs as a part Task Force Spartan in the Middle East.
Indiana National Guard Capt. Adam D. Cole, who works as a planner with the 38th Infantry Division, took part in Earnest Leader in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in July.
"It is neat to think that a city of South Bend employee, small business owner and Notre Dame alumnus 6,000 miles away from home has an opportunity to work on projects at this level," said Cole, who is the city's director of communications and a co-owner of Elite Sports Academy.
More than 600 division Soldiers left the Hoosier State in May for the Middle East where they provide leadership, command, control, and in-depth staff analysis for approximately 10,000 troops supporting Operation Spartan Shield.
"A significant amount of collaboration and teamwork was required to accomplish our mission," said Cole. "There is no question this was a team effort."
Cole also said he felt a sense of patriotism supporting his nation while working shoulder to shoulder with troops from the Ministry of Defense in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
"To be able to represent the United States and directly influence the relationships between the two countries was a very rewarding experience," said Cole.
While deployed, the Hoosier Guardsmen facilitate theater security cooperation activities such as key leader engagements, joint exercises, conferences and disaster response planning with partnered nations throughout the region.
The 38th Infantry Division, headquartered in Indianapolis, provides fully manned, equipped, trained and expertly led units prepared to deploy and conduct unified land operations for combatant commanders and to respond to domestic crises in support of civil authorities.
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