CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait-The Commanding General of the Army Materiel Command presented two Secretary of the Army Meritorious Unit Commendations to the 2nd Battalion, 401st Army Field Support Brigade, in a ceremony here August 20.
Gen. Benjamin S. Griffin presented the commendations during his visit to AMC operations to recognize the battalion's support of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom during two periods, from Sept. 1, 2002-Jan. 15, 2005, and from Jan. 1, 2006-Dec. 31, 2006.
"I'll be the first to tell you that you don't always receive the credit and recognition for what goes on in the theater," said Gen. Griffin. "You all play a critical role in what happens in Afghanistan and Iraq by what you do here in Kuwait. I know that, I see it first hand. I am always amazed when I come here and see your on-going operations. These streamers represent you and those military and civilian components who served before you and those who will serve after you. I suspect there will be many more of these streamers awarded in this theater of operations. Keep doing what you are doing. It makes every difference in the world," said Griffin.
Both citations lauded the unit for direct support to the Warfighter, "The unit played a vital role in the preparation for, and sustainment of combat operations resulting in the freedom of the Iraqi people and the continued ability to fight the Global War on Terror . . . continually adapting to ever-changing requirements. The unit's exemplary service made them a true combat multiplier. The unit truly embodied its motto, 'Service to the line, on the line, on time!' . . . and reflects great credit upon the unit, Army Materiel Command, and the United States Army."
When the responsibility for war reserves shifted from theater commanders to the Department of the Army, DA delegated this mission to the Army Materiel Command and the Combat Equipment Battalion-Kuwait was activated at Camp Doha, Kuwait on Oct. 1, 1999.
In the fall of 2002, Combat Equipment Battalion-Arifjan (Provisional) was formed during the initial build-up of OIF, issuing equipment to deploying units in Iraq. DA orders merged the Doha and Arifjan units on Aug. 18, 2003, with headquarters at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, as the unit continued to push tens of thousands of new and serviced combat equipment pieces to U.S. and coalition Warfighters in Iraq and Afghanistan. The unit was re-designated the 2-401st Army Field Support Brigade on May 21, 2007 and represents more than 3,000 Soldiers, Army civilians and contractors. The commander of the 2-401st is Lt. Col. Joseph E. Ladner IV.
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