Photo By Maj. William Duvall | The 678th Air Defense Battalion, South Carolina Army National Guard, headquartered in...... read more read more
The 678th Air Defense Artillery Brigade, South Carolina Army National Guard, was welcomed and thanked by U.S. Army Col. David E. Shank Commander, 10th Army Air Missile Defense Command, during their pre-mobilization training at Fort Bliss, Texas, Feb. 10, 2018.
Approximately 50 Soldiers from the unit, headquartered in Eastover, South Carolina, are in Texas for validation prior to departing to support U.S. Army Europe to work with the 10th Army Air Missile Defense Command for Operation Atlantic Resolve.
“You all are going to have an opportunity to work with our allies and partners from all over Europe,” said Shank. “There will be great opportunities, embrace those opportunities,”
He went on to share with the Soldiers the unique places they may see working in other countries near the Baltics, Poland, Romania, Bulgaria, as well as Germany during their nearly year-long deployment.
Command Sgt. Maj. Gary E. Plotnick, Command Sergeant Major of the 10th AAMDC, also talked with the troops about their deployment.
“Personally and professionally I would like to say on behalf of myself, the 10th AAMDC and the commander, we appreciate your ‘optemo’ and all that you have going on daily with the 263rd AAMDC, South Carolina and the National Capitol Region,” said Plotnick. “I also want to welcome you and I am looking forward to serving with you.”
During the visit, Spc. Vincent Kennedy, an operations sergeant in the 678th ADA received a commander coin from Shank for his outstanding work during the pre-mobilization phase of the deployment.
According to Sgt. First Class Paul Carter, a platoon sergeant in the 678th ADA, the unit had many names of outstanding Soldiers they wanted to have recognized for their lasting impact on what the unit has done, but there was one Soldier in particular who epitomized the work of the unit and their unified efforts.
“Kennedy is always the first to volunteer, always responds with a 'roger sergeant’ and is always on top of it,” said Carter.
The gathering concluded with Col. Richard A. Wholey Jr., Commander 678th ADA addressing the troops and congratulating Kennedy on his hard work and the coin he received from Shank.
| Date Taken: | 02.10.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 02.13.2018 13:07 |
| Story ID: | 265877 |
| Location: | FORT BLISS, TEXAS, US |
| Web Views: | 313 |
| Downloads: | 2 |
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