Photo By Maj. Shamika Hill | Family and friends of the 55th Sustainment Brigade bow their heads for the invocation...... read more read more
FORT BELVOIR, Va. - More than 100 soldiers of the 55th Sustainment Brigade, bound for Afghanistan, formally bid farewell to family and friends May 18 at a deployment ceremony held at Fort Belvoir, Va.
The unit is deploying in support of Operation Enduring Freedom to take over the NATO mission in preparing the Afghanistan army and police force to be autonomous.
“A key thing to a successful end state in Afghanistan before we can withdrawal is we need to make sure the Afghanistan government is ready to go,” said Col. Sean Cassidy, 55th Sustainment Brigade commander.
Col. (Promotable) Michael Dillard attended the ceremony and spoke of the many sacrifices soldiers make by being deployed. He thanked them for their service.
“Please understand that your sacrifice is most appreciated when you return home safely and you bring your caring loving heart back to your family and nation,” Dillard said.
Among the ceremony’s distinguished guest was Brig. Gen. Tammy Smith, director of Army Reserve Human Capital at the Office of the Chief of Army Reserves.
“I am very proud of the 55th Sustainment Brigade as it prepares for its very important mission in Afghanistan. The mission is tough and will require flexible, adaptive leaders. The 55th is up to that task,” Smith said.
Smith and wife, Tracy, previously attended the 55th on a pre-deployment yellow ribbon event in Crystal City. It was important for Smith to be physically present at the ceremony.
The 55th soldiers will undergo intense mobilization training at Fort Hood, Texas, before heading to Afghanistan at a later date.
| Date Taken: | 05.18.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 05.30.2013 14:23 |
| Story ID: | 107783 |
| Location: | FORT BELVOIR , VIRGINIA, US |
| Web Views: | 305 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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