Kuwait: North Carolina Guard brigade takes command at Camp Arifjan

By Army National Guard Sgt. Miko Booth
113th Sustainment Brigade

Army Command Sgt. Maj. Stanley Massengale, Army Col. David Jones and Army Command Sgt. Maj. William Gill salute during the singing of the national anthem at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, Dec. 27, 2011, before the transfer of authority ceremony between the Tennessee Army National Guard's 230th Sustainment Brigade and the North Carolina Army National Guard's 113th Sustainment Brigade. Massengale, the command sergeant major for the 230th SB, cased his unit's colors while the 113th SB's commander and command sergeant major, Jones and Gill, unfurled their flag to symbolize the transfer of command for the unit. (Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Miko Booth)
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CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait (1/3/12) - The North Carolina Army National Guard's Greensboro-based 113th Sustainment Brigade accepted the critical mission of supporting American forces in Southwest Asia from the Tennessee Army National Guard's 230th Sustainment Brigade during a change of authority ceremony at the Zone One gym here, Dec. 27.

Leaving their home station of Chattanooga, Tenn., in January of last year, Army Col. Mark Hart, the brigade commander, led the 230th soldiers into history.

Once the unit landed here, the 230th became the only Army sustainment brigade in Kuwait. The unit's mission was also historic - supporting U.S. forces stationed in Iraq and Afghanistan while participating in the responsible drawdown of forces from Iraq. The unit was also in charge of safely moving U.S. personnel and equipment out of the southern part of Iraq.

Both units participated in a two week-long transition process where the North Carolina unit shadowed their counterparts for a week, while the Tennessee unit stood by the next week to provide any last-minute advice or assistance for the incoming team.

"The 113th Sustainment Brigade is a great organization," said Hart during the transfer ceremony. "They are real 'super troopers.'"

The 230th SB's brigade, battalion and company colors were rolled up and cased in front of an audience mixed with Soldiers from various units here, to include the 364th Expeditionary Sustainment Command, the higher headquarters for the incoming 113th SB.

Once the brigade colors were carefully wrapped up by Hart and Army Command Sgt. Maj. Stanley Massengale, brigade sergeant major, Army Col. David Jones, commander of the 113th SB, and Army Command Sgt. Maj. William Gill, 113th SB sergeant major, unfurled their unit's colors and stood at attention as it was raised next to the American flag.

"It has been an honor and a humbling experience working with the 'Old Hickory' team as we transfer responsibility of the mission for the sustainment brigade here in Kuwait," said Jones.

Jones wished good luck and safe travel to the outgoing unit and addressed the 364th ESC representatives present, which included Army Brig. Gen. Jonathan G. Ives, commanding general, and Army Command Sgt. Maj. Thomas W. Jennings, the command sergeant major of the 364th ESC.

"You have a trained and ready sustainment brigade that is proactive and flexible to accept any mission and that will be an asset to your team," said Jones. "We will be one team, twice as strong!"

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