Photo By Spc. Rhema Eggleston | Brig. Gen. Robert S. Powell, former commander of the 335th Signal Command, being...... read more read more
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CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait – The 335th Signal Command Theater Provisional, which had seen continuous service during the Global War on Terrorism in the U.S. Army Central area of responsibility since Nov. 1, 2001, was deactivated in a change of mission ceremony by casing its colors, March 20, 2023.
“The 335th Signal Command Theater Provisional has served for 20 years of service to those in combat,” said U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Patrick Frank, U.S. Army Central’s commanding general. “There aren’t many units that can say that. That they were engaged in combat operations for that many years continuously, but the 335th Forward can.”
According to U.S. Army Maj. Mark W. Bromwich, the communications integrator for the 335th SCTP in Iraq, after the 9/11 attacks, the 335th SCTP was established in Camp Doha, Kuwait and provided engineering and integration for the Army’s Southwest Asia Department of Defense information network, and communication services to coalition and joint forces to over 30 sites in 11 countries. It was a unique, multi-component unit composed of Active Army and Army Reserve Soldiers serving twelve- and nine-month assignments. In doing so, they enabled support to the tactical edge in support of numerous named operations including Operation Enduring Freedom; Operation Iraqi Freedom; Operation New Dawn; Operation Inherent Resolve; Operation Spartan Shield; and Operation Freedom Sentinel.
The casing of the colors is a tradition held by the U.S. Army and refers to the flag of the 335th SCTP. It symbolizes the completion of the unit’s mission in the USARCENT AOR.
“The ceremony marks that the mission carries on,” said Bromwich. “The 335th SCTP and detachments did their work. It’s to demonstrate physically that we’re changing what we have done and there’s no need for a provisional unit. The 335th SCTP can do their work from Georgia…We’re not abandoning anybody, and the mission will carry on. It will just look different.”
In addition to the 20 years of combat operations in the USARCENT AOR, the 335th SCTP was the only unit in theater with trained cyber intelligence analysts which provided timely and relevant intelligence products that enable mission command of signal assets and units; provide cyber threat analytics and intelligence. As a result, other elements within the Central Command AOR have relied on the 335th SCTP, such as, Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve and Task Force Spartan.
The 335th SCTP also directed the ARCENT Signal University, which has been a hallmark in providing technical education to Service Members. Over the years the ARCENT Signal University has provided courses to thousands of students, providing topics starting from basic computing to higher level network management.
Reflecting on the years of selfless service that the 335th SCTP provided, Frank said that even in remote areas of the USARCENT AOR the 335th SCTP did outstanding work.
“As Soldiers, we go to places like the Arghandab River Valley in Afghanistan,” said Frank. “It’s probably one of the remote places on the planet and definitely inside Afghanistan. Suddenly, you go to your computer, and you flip it on and you have internet at the point you need in the Arghandab River Valley in Afghanistan. It’s because of the 335th and the Soldiers in that organization, along with the Department of the Army civilians and contractors, do for us each and every day. Incredible work.”
The 335th Signal Command will continue to operate from their main command post in East Point, Georgia and the 160th Signal Brigade will assume authority of the mission in the U.S. Army Central area of responsibility.
| Date Taken: | 03.20.2023 |
| Date Posted: | 03.24.2023 14:55 |
| Story ID: | 440904 |
| Location: | CAMP ARIFJAN, KW |
| Web Views: | 1,052 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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