Photo By Sgt. Kenneth Bince | Service members from 223rd Financial Management Detachment pose for a quick photo...... read more read more
CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq — The 49th Military Police Brigade rolled out the welcome mat for Brig. Gen. Mary J. Kight, adjutant general of the California National Guard, as the Golden State's newest commander made an historic visit to Soldiers and Airmen April 7-8 here.
Just two months after assuming her latest role, Gen. Kight penciled "visit deployed Guardsmen" in her agenda and fulfilled that goal by meeting Baghdad-area service members.
"National Guard Bureau extends the offer [to travel overseas] based on the number of people [an adjutant general] may have outside the continental United States. I received a call asking if I was interested. I could not say 'yes' fast enough," said Kight. "I was looking forward to this. I want to meet our Guardsmen, talk to them and give them a chance to explain their concerns. It was an incredible honor to do this."
The 49th, the Fairfield, Calif., unit that has been in country since October 2009, greeted Kight and Command Sgt. Maj. William Clark Jr., California Guard's command sergeant major, upon arrival at Sather Air Base. The 49th hosted its top state leaders and shared their visit with another Army unit, Los Angeles-based 223rd Financial Management Detachment.
Kight and Clark later met with a March Air Reserve Base, Riverside, Calif., crew. Six Airmen from the 163rd Reconnaissance Wing, serving as security forces for Sather's 447th Air Expeditionary Group, ate lunch with the dignitaries. The general and command sergeant major then met up with a dozen Airmen based out of Travis Air Force Base, Fairfield, Calif. The 12 represented close to 40 airmen from Travis' 55th Aerial Port Squadron who are also assigned to the 447th.
It was a busy Iraq experience, Gen. Kight said. But every minute was worthwhile especially when interacting with troops.
"I'm most impressed with the pride that our Soldiers and Airmen display in telling me about their mission," said Kight. "It's somewhat difficult to put into words because you can't put your hand on pride. But certainly, our people are very proud of their accomplishments here. I know that they believe their accomplishments are positively impacting the country right now. But they also understand their contributions are long term for the stability of Iraq. They know they've given all that they can to make sure this country can stand on its own."
Kight's visit comes five months after Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's Iraq tour. The governor dedicated time to the 49th, eating a meal and sharing experiences in November.
"The governor had the best time out here," Kight said. "We all know he's extremely sincere about his military members. He goes [visiting hospitalized service members]. But he goes on his own. It's not publicized because he wants to spend time with them. He thoroughly enjoyed his visit out here."
Likewise, Kight also summed up this mission as "greatly motivating." A highlight was riding in a Mine Resistant, Ambush Protected vehicle, which the 49th's Personnel Security Detachment coursed around Camp Liberty. The general was accompanied by Brig. Gen. Donald Currier, commander of the 49th, who explained mission responsibilities as well as the vehicle's operation and capabilities.
At the 49th's compound, the general awarded state coins to Soldiers. She did the same at the 223rd's area of operation the following day. Both units set up briefings and summarized their Iraq missions whic Kight credited as "very informative at every end."
"This is nothing but a good thing," said Lt. Col. Daniel Viveros, 49th chaplain. "It's a win-win situation. I'm sure she wants to learn what deployed Soldiers are doing. In turn, we get to know her. We can see what our adjutant general's philosophy is."
"This mission gives her an opportunity to visit Soldiers and Airmen. She can get a better idea of the conditions they're living and working in," added Lt. Col. David King, 49th operations officer.
Col. Michael F. Canders, 447th commander, escorted Kight as she made her rounds through Sather Air Base. After meeting California Airmen, the general was treated to a canine demonstration. The 447th's working dog team took a German shepherd through an obstacle course to show its obedience, then had several volunteers serve as victims who try to elude a military-trained dog. Wearing padded suits, the victims tried to run, but were caught, bitten and detained.
Kight's mission ended by participating in an Explosives Ordnance Disposal demonstration. The general operated a robot that had been used multiple times to diffuse improvised explosive devices. The EOD team briefed the general on weaponry and protective equipment used when encountering IEDs.
Clark has made several missions to visit deployed and mobilizing Soldiers. It was an honor, he said, to return to Iraq and meet old friends.
"We've seen how much hard work our Soldiers and Airmen put out," said Clark. "We also see how much sacrifices their families go through when they are deployed. More than anything, the Soldiers and Airmen really understand what their jobs are and what their mission is in Iraq. They know they can affect change. They know there's going to be an end to the war, especially now since the drawdown has begun."
Command Sgts. Maj. Clark and Robert Liles, the 49th's command sergeant major, renewed their long friendship during this visit. The top enlisted leaders viewed this occasion as another communications channel to focus on Soldiers and noncommissioned officers.
"The visit allowed the two most senior leaders of California to gain an operational oversight up close and personal," Liles explained. "Probably the most important thing that Kight and Clark got from this visit was operational knowledge of how the 49th is being utilized in an operational theater that is drawing down and shifting its focus to Operation Enduring Freedom."
"The general's visit let the Airmen know that their top leadership is interested in what they are doing," said Chief Master Sgt. Edwin B. Clarke, 447th superintendent and 163rd Reconnaissance Wing, March Air Reserve Base wing command chief master sergeant. "General Kight and Command Sergeant Major Clark care about them and their well-being."
Added Chief Master Sgt. Clarke: "I believe General Kight possesses the same ideals as [former Cal Guard commander Maj. General William Wade], and will continue to push for new equipment, new missions and a continuation of benefits for service members and their families."
Kight replaced Wade in February, breaking another historic barrier. She became the first woman to head the Cal Guard and became the nation's first African-American female adjutant general.
Wade accepted the position of deputy chief of staff for operations, Joint Forces Command-Naples, Italy, North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Wade commanded the Cal Guard for almost five years.
Before getting on her return flight, Kight thanked Currier and Canders as well as other California Guardsmen who aided her visit. When asked what specifically impacted her on this trip, Kight replied:
"I am almost overwhelmed because of the number of different duties that each individual performs. They all do it in an outstanding manner," Kight concluded. "They're very articulate with regards to their primary duties and have just as much compassion for those additional duties.
"I am proud. I am proud of them. I am proud to be a part of the military. I know that in the future it will be demonstrated that we have made a difference."
| Date Taken: | 04.08.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 04.14.2010 08:45 |
| Story ID: | 48128 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 496 |
| Downloads: | 205 |
This work, California TAG visits Iraq-based troops, by SSG Edward Siguenza, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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