Agriculture team marks milestone, earns combat patch for Afghanistan service

Photo By Lt. Col. Keith Moore | Col. Stephen Redman, commander of the Arkansas ADT Team (right) places the "combat patch" on the right shoulder sleeve of Staff Sgt. Jorge Moran (left) during a patch ceremony Sunday at Forward Operating Base Apache, Afghanistan. The ADT marked the milestone in its yearlong deployment to provide agriculture education and training to the people of Zabul province.  

QALAT, AFGHANISTAN

05.05.2010

Story by Lt. Col. Keith Moore 

Arkansas National Guard Public Affairs Office

QALAT, Afghanistan – Members of the Arkansas Agriculture Development Team marked a milestone for their deployment in Afghanistan on Sunday as the unit held a ceremony to officially present the Soldiers and Airmen the "combat patch."

The ceremony has a history that dates back to Gen. George Washington and the Revolutionary War. This ceremony officially designates Soldiers as combat veterans, having proven their service for a period of time in a combat zone, during which time they have been actively engaged in or supporting ground combat operations against hostile forces.

In addressing the unit, Col. Stephen Redman, commander of the Arkansas ADT said he had three conditions that the unit had to live up to before he could consider awarding the "combat patch."

"First, I felt we needed at least 50 days with our boots in the Afghan soil. Secondly, we needed to establish some identity with the forces that we are working with and supporting in these operations. In this case it is 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division. And thirdly - and most importantly - I wanted to be able to prove that this team was capable of performing the wartime mission that the ADT was stood up to do. And today we pause to celebrate the fact that we have satisfied those three milestones in this operation," said Redman.

The ADT from the Arkansas National Guard arrived in Afghanistan on March 16, and has been performing a variety of missions since their establishment of operations at Forward Operating Base Apache on April 5. In the short month that the team of Arkansas Guardsmen has been on station, they have established relationships with provincial government leaders, U.S. and other agencies and non-governmental organizations providing services and conducting operations in Zabul Province. These partnerships have moved the ADT to the center of focus as an organization to help guide the development through agricultural emphasis.

"The ADT mission almost seems to be tailor made for the Arkansas Guard. We are uniquely structured to meet this mission with both your military and civilian acquired skills. Clearly, no other organization could do it better," Redman said.

In noting some of the high points of missions that the unit has conducted to date, Redman lauded the Soldiers and Airmen for their determination and aggressiveness with which they have tackled getting the unit established and meeting the mission objectives.

"Your dogged determination and aggressive approach to implementing offensive agri-business programs have definitely earned you the moniker that the agri section displays ...`combat farmers.' In our case that means that you as a team brings every available resource to bear on a problem until it is solved. For that I commend you," said Redman.

He added that although the patch is only a small piece of cloth, that each member had earned the right to wear the patch, and in doing so joined a long and distinguished line of veterans with proud service to their state and nation.

Going forward the unit has a full calendar of operations planned that include farming operations at several demonstration farm locations throughout Zabul province, as well as hands-on agriculture education programs at the farm locations and several schools. In addition the team members are providing technical expertise to governmental and international organizations with ongoing education and development programs to add agricultural and animal health aspects and training.

The Arkansas Agriculture Development Team is made up of 60 volunteers from the Arkansas Army and Air National Guard with emphasis on education or practical experience in agriculture or farming operations. Team members represent specialties in row crop farming, irrigation and water management, farm management and marketing, grain storage, large and small animal health, poultry production and public health.

The unit is deployed for a yearlong mission to provide agriculture education and assistance in Zabul province, and is the first agriculture team operating in the volatile Regional Command South area of operations in southern Afghanistan.

• Date Taken: 05.05.2010
• Date Posted: 05.09.2010 05:41
• Story ID: 49342
• Location: QALAT, AF