Photo By Capt. Michael Thompson | North Carolina National Guard 211th Military Police Company Sgt. Millie Gilfilian...... read more read more
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CAMP PHOENIX, Afghanistan— The Chief of the National Guard, Gen. Frank Grass toured Camp Phoenix to visit National Guard Soldiers deployed overseas. The Georgia National Guard 48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team gathered as six National Guard units with two state partners to showcase their efforts and contributions in Afghanistan.
First of all, let me say thank you,” said Grass. “Thank you for being a member of the Guard. Thank you for being a volunteer. This nation deserves to say thank you to you because you are less than one percent of the population serving in uniform.”
The National Guard general continued to ask soldiers to look out for one another and upon their return home to thank families and employers for their sacrifice for allowing Guardsmen to continue the missions they train for and the work that was left behind.
Camp Phoenix hosts multiple services as part of the Kabul Base Cluster mission: a combined and joint effort across all services, both U.S. and coalition. Alabama, Georgia, Indiana, New Jersey, North Carolina and North Dakota National Guard units with state partners Albania and the country of Georgia work together on numerous missions. General Grass reassured the state partners that we continue to support them and noted the Michigan-Latvia exercise would still continue as scheduled.
“More important is that long term relationship we build,” said Grass, speaking to the New Jersey National Guard/ Albanian Army Military Adviser Team 5. “You all will have partnerships for years. You will grow up together, you will know each other, you will work together again.”
The National Guard State Partnership Program now has 68 partnered countries around the world. Since 1994 the Georgia National Guard's state relationship has been the country of Georgia. The program is designed to build a nation's capabilities in natural disasters, military defense and civil disorder with enduring relationships.
During the visit, the general took time for pictures with Soldiers, re-enlistments, and award ceremonies. The Alabama National Guard 1151st Engineer Company, part of the U.S. Central Command Materiel Recovery Element provided the general with a sledge hammer to commence the demolition of a wooden barracks as part of base improvement efforts.
The North Dakota National Guard 814th Area Support Medical Company, Indiana 1638th Transportation Company, and North Carolina 211th Military Police Company completed the tour, each with special contributions to their mission.
“But the best story of all is exactly what you are doing,” continued Grass. “How we have come together to build a security team and help another nation get on their feet. Some people don't always grasp the significance of what is going to happen here next week in this country. They are going to vote in a free election for their president. Fourteen years ago that would not have been possible at all.”
| Date Taken: | 03.25.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 03.26.2014 16:04 |
| Story ID: | 122662 |
| Location: | GEORGIA, US |
| Web Views: | 208 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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