Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Amber Simpkins | Brig. Gen. Rodney Fogg, commanding general of the 13th Sustainment Command...... read more read more
CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait - The 1108th Theater Aviation Support Maintenance Group, Task Force 17, unfurled its colors during an uncasing ceremony at Camp Arifjan, April 14, marking the assumption of their mission supporting the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility.
An Army National Guard unit from Gulfport, Mississippi, the 1108th TASMG assumed the mission from the 1100th TASMG from Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, who cased their colors in the same ceremony after a nine month deployment. Commanded by Col. Stanley Budraitis and Command Sgt. Maj. Jarriet White, the 1108th TASMG will assume aviation support across the CENTCOM theater for the next nine months.
Brig. Gen. Rodney Fogg, deputy commanding general of the 1st Theater Sustainment Command, spoke at the ceremony and praised the outgoing 1100th TASMG Soldiers for their service and sacrifices during their deployment.
“One of the most complex systems to maintain in our inventory are the aircraft that deliver Soldiers to the fight, protect them from above when they are on mission, and deliver much-needed supplies, sustenance and equipment to them to keep them focused,” said Fogg. “Army aviation is the most critical and versatile combat multiplier on the modern battlefield, and it takes a special team to keep aircraft in the fight. For the past nine months, the 1100th TASMG has risen to the challenge and exceeded the standard.”
Fogg spoke to the incoming Soldiers, offering his encouragement at the onset of their mission.
“If you haven’t deployed before, please lean on those [who] have been down this road before,” said Fogg. “Your mission is absolutely critical to continue the Army aviation missions.”
The outgoing 1100th TASMG commander, Col. Brian Connelly, expressed his praise and admiration for his Soldiers and wished the incoming organization the best of luck moving forward.
“Wherever Army aviation assets were, we were there,” said Connelly about his unit’s performance. He spoke of the unknown upon entering country and the ever changing mission that his task force faced. He ended his speech with a message to the 1108th TASMG.
“1108th, if any unit can do it, over the last couple of weeks, I’ve realized that it would be you,” he said.
Budraitis echoed Connelly’s sentiments while further encouraging his own Soldiers with a quote from Benjamin Franklin.
“You guys have treated us better than we’ve treated ourselves,” he said. “A penny saved is a penny earned. Today a million dollars saved is a million dollars earned. I challenge you to exceed even your own expectations, as a famous football coach once said, ‘no one ever regretted giving their all.’”
| Date Taken: | 04.14.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 04.27.2015 06:52 |
| Story ID: | 161347 |
| Location: | CAMP ARIFJAN, KW |
| Web Views: | 822 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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