Regional Support Command-West welcomes new commander

Story by Army Capt. Monika Comeaux

DCOM-SPO/NTM-A Public Affairs Officer

                                                        

 

 

 

CAMP STONE, Afghanistan –The Regional Support Command- West conducted at change of command ceremony at Camp Stone July 10, making it the final change of command for all of the NTM-A Regional Support Commands.

U.S. Army Col. Keith A. Detwiler took the reigns from U.S. Marine Corps Col. Roderick T. Arrington in an outdoor ceremony in front of the national flags of all troop-contributing nations and the monument in honor of U.S. Army Sgt. 1^st Class John T. Stone, the camps namesake, and for fallen comrades who gave the ultimate sacrifice during Operation Enduring Freedom.

Arrington thanked his team for their tremendous contributions and credited his success to them. “You stepped up when your country asked us… hold your head high,” Arrington said. He also urged his team to share their stories and experiences so people back home know about the hard work being done in Afghanistan. “When you go home, tell the story, people at home want to know.,” he said.

Arrington also put a smile on the faces in the audience, when he teasingly told his formation “you are all Marines in my heart, all Marines…even the Air Force guys.” But then he shifted topics by stating that Detwiler is getting a winning team that will always give 100 percent.

Brig. Gen. Clark W. LeMasters Jr., deputy commander of Support Operations under NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan, also teased the formation about the differences between the services and some having to adjust to the doors being called a ‘hatch’ and walls being referred to as ‘bulkheads.’ “I think the hardest thing, at least for the U.S. Army Soldiers is to understand that Hooah and Oorah are about the same,” he said.

“Although some of the routine technical terms might be slightly different, the really important things never change; things like the characteristics of leadership, the motivation of a determined and dedicated leader, the team work and the core values of a member of the military; no matter what the service or the country…these are the terms that describe Rod Arrington,” said LeMasters. “He exemplifies the values of honor, courage and commitment.”

LeMasters also recalled a long list of things Arrington and RSC-West accomplished during the past year, like managing 173 contracts worth over $45 million, completing 33 construction projects and managing another 22, and most important of all- influencing the training of more than 8,000 Afghan National Security Forces personnel.

Arrington, who is an infantryman by trade, can now add several other titles to his resume, said LeMasters. These are: “construction manager, police trainer, mayor, real estate broker, advisor, logistician, statesman and public affairs officer. He is a true example of the unofficial Marine term ‘Semper Gumby – Always Flexible.”

The incoming commander thanked his superiors for having the opportunity to command. He also expressed his gratitude to Arrington. “I am grateful for your commitment and dedication over the past year and for building such a great unit! May you have ‘fair seas and following winds’ in all of your future adventures,” said Detwiler in conclusion. 

RSC-West falls under NATO Training Mission – Afghanistan, headquartered at Camp Eggers in Kabul and composed of a coalition of 38 troop-contributing nations charged with assisting the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in generating a capable and sustainable Afghan National Security Force ready to take lead of their country’s security by 2014. For more information about NTM-A, visit www.ntm-a.com.

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Tags: afghanistan, army, Camp Stone, Feature, featured, independence, nato, nato training mission, NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan, NTM-A, Regional Support Command- West

Category: News - General