Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Anishka Calder | Col. Susan A. Davidson, the incoming commander for the 599th Transportation Terminal...... read more read more
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By Staff Sgt. Anishka Calder
1st Sustainment Command (Theater)
Public Affairs Office
CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait – The 595th Transportation Terminal Group held a transfer of authority and casing/uncasing ceremony at a port in Kuwait, Nov. 24.
The 598th TTG, headquartered in Rotterdam, Netherlands, relinquished authority to the 599th TTG, out of Oahu, Hawaii, symbolizing their completion of their mission in support of Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom, and 599th TTG's start of their mission.
Col. Mark A. Westbrook was succeeded by Col. Susan A. Davidson, a native of Dade City, Fla., after a six-month deployment, and will return to Rotterdam.
Westbrook thanked everyone for their support, including the Soldiers and civilians who worked on his team, and the family members who supported them during their deployment.
"This has been without a doubt, my most rewarding seven months in my 25-year career. I hate to see it come to an end," Westbrook said. "I would like to express my gratitude for the sacrifice our family members have made during our deployment. We may recruit Soldiers, but we retain families. They also serve and sacrifice, and to them I want to say thank you."
Westbrook, who was assigned at Fort Eustis,Va., with Davidson as lieutenants, had high praises for her and the job she will do with the 599th TTG.
"Sue comes here with a remarkable reputation. She is extremely talented, intelligent, professional, and more importantly, compassionate," said Westbrook. "Sue takes care of Soldiers. She is the perfect person, at the perfect time, to lead this fantastic organization to the next level."
Davidson's previous assignment was the director, logistics officers assignment branch for captains, at Human Resources Command, Alexandria, Va. Prior to that she served as deputy G3, 13th Corps Support Command, Fort Hood, Texas.
Her other assignments include: joint mobility operations officer, United States Transportation Command, Ill.; executive officer and support operations officer, 524th Corps Support Battalion, Group S4, 45th Corps Support Group, Hawaii; Army Reserve advisor, 78th Infantry Division, Fort Dix, N.J., and a group plans officer, an operations officer and chemical officer while assigned to 7th Transportation Group, Fort Eustis, Va.
Her wartime experience includes commanding the 870th Transportation Company, Fort Eustis, Va., during their 11-month deployment in support of Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm. She also commanded the 49th Movement Control Battalion, Fort Hood, during Operation Iraqi Freedom, and was selected while in that command to deploy to Iraq to serve on the Hack Study in support of the commanding general, Multi-National Force – Iraq.
Davidson holds the Masters of military art and science in advanced military studies, the Master of Arts in national security and strategic studies, and a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry.
Her military education includes the Chemical Officer Basic Course, Fort Leonard Wood, Mo.; Transportation Officer Advanced Course, Fort Eustis; Combined Arms and Services Staff School, Fort Leavenworth, Kan.; the Air Command and Staff College, Montgomery, Ala.; Support Operations Course, Phase II, Fort Lee, Va.; and the Navy War College, Newport, R.I.
Davidson's awards and decorations include two Bronze Star medals, a Defense Meritorious Service medal, Meritorious Service medal with four oak leaf clusters, Army Commendation medal with four oak leaf clusters, Army Achievement medal with an oak leaf cluster, a Humanitarian Service medal, and numerous Army campaign ribbons from southwest Asia, and Army service ribbons.
Maj. Gen. Kathleen Gainey, the commander for the Surface Deployment and Distribution Command, outlined the lasting impact that the 598th TTG had on the ongoing war on terrorism, and of the high expectations that she has of the 599th TTG.
"It's only been a short time-frame, but you all (598th) have done an incredible amount," said Gainey. "They (598th) are being followed by an equally great team with the 599th coming in. They are no strangers to deployments; they are no strangers to operating in a remote area. They are going to bring in equally great ideas and equally great procedures that will take us to the next level and spiral us up ... this is one team, one fight."
| Date Taken: | 11.26.2007 |
| Date Posted: | 11.26.2007 14:57 |
| Story ID: | 14137 |
| Location: | CAMP ARIFJAN, KW |
| Web Views: | 458 |
| Downloads: | 154 |
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