Courtesy Photo | (From left to right) Command Sgt. Maj. Mark Breece, the Tennessee Army National Guard...... read more read more
CAMP TAJI, Iraq — Brig. Gen. Terry "Max" Haston, the Tennessee Army National Guard assistant to the Adjutant General, and Command Sgt. Maj. Mark Breece, the Tennessee ARNG State command sergeant major, visited the 776th Maintenance Company, 419th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 10th Sustainment Brigade, on May 27.
Traveling more than 7,000 miles, the command team of Haston and Breece were greeted upon arrival by the 776th's higher headquarters command teams: the 10th SBDE Commander, Col. Mark Drake, a native of St. Paul, Minn., Command Sgt. Maj. Allen Fritzsching, a native of Houston, the 419TH CSSB Commander, Lt. Col. Kristan Hericks, a native of Irvine, Calif., and Command Sgt. Maj. Paul Swanson, a Perris, Calif. native.
Initially, Haston and Breece were provided an informative and comprehensive briefing by Drake and his staff, related to the support provided by both the 10th SBDE and 419th CSSB to thousands of troops within Multi-National Force-Iraq.
This briefing provided Haston and Breece an enlightening view of current support operations within the Iraqi theater. While the primary purpose of the Tenn. state Command Team's visit was to meet directly with Tenn. ARNG troops, the briefing supports Haston's secondary mission as it pertains to gathering current information useful to Tenn. ARNG troops slated to return to Iraq in the very near future. Additionally, the ATAG and state command sergeant major received a complimentary view of the superior maintenance support record achieved by the 776th thus far. The 776th command team of Capt. Stacy Kunz, a native of Smyrna, Tenn., and 1st Sgt. Gary Peters, a native of Tellford, Tenn., were very proud to hear Drake relate the achievements of the 776th as the "best maintenance company within the brigade."
Upon completion of the brief, Haston and Breece were escorted by the 776th and 419th Command Teams to the 776th company area of operations where a formation of nearly 200 troops awaited them. Haston and Breece, surrounded at close quarters by all members of the 776th, conveyed through appreciative words, the positive sentiments of the Tenn. ARNG's leadership toward the exceptional and outstanding service provided by the 776th Soldiers — supporting the safety and readiness of thousands of troops operating in the Iraqi theater of operations.
Breece, the highest ranking non-commissioned officer in the Tenn. ARNG, fielded questions and provided useful information to his fellow Soldiers and NCOs pertaining to policy updates, advancement, pay, benefits and career issues, as well as updating the troops on changes that had occurred since leaving home. Both Haston and Breece, each respected by Tenn. ARNG Soldiers with reputations of being a "Soldier's Soldier," were well received and their gesture was appreciated by all members of the unit. Many of the 776th troops reunited through hugs and handshakes with Haston, as they had previously served under him while he was the commander of the 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment during Operation Iraqi Freedom 2004-2005.
As the Soldiers dispersed, Capt. Stacy Kunz, 776th commander, led Haston and Breece on a tour of their respective shop areas within the vast eight acre footprint of their maintenance support area. There, they witnessed first-hand, the crude maintenance bays expertly and creatively improved by members of the 776th. The achievements and operational details of the unit were further explained and illustrated, by Kunz, along the tour.
Haston and Breece shook hands of the troops so instrumental in the unit's accomplished tradition of maintenance excellence. While not surprised by the expertise exhibited by Tenn. ARNG maintenance specialists, Haston and Breece recognized each Soldier with complimentary words of encouragement and relayed the accolades previously described by the 10th SBDE and 419TH CSSB commanders.
The tour culminated with an early afternoon meal of cold-cuts, vegetables, exotic fresh fruit, and a very large cake, specially prepared for the visit. Haston was presented a Cavalry Officer's saber, provided for the event by Swanson, to cut the cake.
Once again, being a warrior leader, Haston called upon the lowest ranking Soldier of the 776th, Private 1st Class Batts, a native of Centerville, Tenn., to assist him with this honor. Both Batts and Haston grasped the saber and cut the cake, encouraged on by cheers and applause from the entire unit.
During the meal, Haston and Breece mingled with the 776th Soldiers; gaining knowledge of their individual perspective on the mission. Both were impressed by the high morale and discipline of the unit, now deployed for more than seven months. The 419th Command Team expanded, in detail, upon the unit's achievements as related to support to the battalion at each available opportunity. Both Kunz and Peters were very proud to witness these outstanding Soldiers receiving recognition for their exceptional efforts, so well deserved.
Kunz, Peters, Hericks and Swanson oversaw the departure of the Tenn. ARNG Command Team from the Camp Taji air field. While the visit was brief, Haston and Breece clearly accomplished their mission -- to gain current operational knowledge to benefit future Tenn. ARNG units deploying to Iraq and to visit and praise their troops currently deployed. Both Haston and Breece's respect and appreciation shown to the Soldiers of the 776th by this selfless gesture will not soon be forgotten. The 776th looks forward to the day, very soon, that they will be reunited in Tennessee with Haston and Breece, with a mission complete. "The Best Serves the Rest!"
| Date Taken: | 06.22.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 06.22.2009 06:55 |
| Story ID: | 35453 |
| Location: | TAJI, IQ |
| Web Views: | 483 |
| Downloads: | 286 |
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