Indiana TAG visits Task Force 38

Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Elizabeth Houx | Indiana Army National Guard Col. David C. Wood, Task Force 38 commander, and Maj. Gen. R. Martin Umbarger, Indiana's adjutant general, walk away from the flight line at Joint Base Balad, Iraq on Thursday, May 13. The unit, headquartered in Shelbyville, Ind., as 38th Combat Aviation Brigade, deployed as Task Force 38 to Iraq in August.  

JOINT BASE BALAD, IRAQ

05.17.2010

Story by Sgt. Elizabeth Houx 

Task Force 38

JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq – Army National Guard Maj. Gen. R. Martin Umbarger, Indiana's adjutant general, visited his Hoosier Soldiers and Airmen stationed at Joint Base Balad, Iraq, Thursday, May 13.

"This is my fifth time to Iraq," said Umbarger, a Bargersville, Ind., resident. "I enjoy it so much to see Soldiers and Airmen and hearing about their accomplishments and successes."

During his visit, Umbarger toured the Task Force 38 area of operations here and saw every section that comprised the aviation headquarters company. At each section, Umbarger met new Soldiers, caught up with old friends and received updates of processes and progress.

"I got to find out where each individual fits in the puzzle," said Umbarger. "I was literally amazed by all of the accomplishments achieved in such a demanding environment. At a time when an area of operation is in withdraw, everyone is still expecting aviation to be on the offense and have fully operational capability while still drawing down. It's an exceptional challenge."

Umbarger said Task Force 38 impressed him and everyone else outside of the unit he met during his time in Iraq.

"It's always special when I come into a country and let people know I'm from Indiana. I get complements on the discipline and professionalism of the Indiana National Guard," said Umbarger. "It gives me a great amount of pride. It's like having somebody brag on your child. That's my team; that's my family."

After touring Task Force 38's work areas, Umbarger pinned two Soldiers in a promotion ceremony, reenlisted a group of Hoosiers into the Indiana National Guard, and awarded multiple Soldiers for their deployment achievements.

While Umbarger's visit provided him with pride and assurance his Soldiers were doing well, Indiana National Guard 1st Sgt. Wesley Branham, Task Force 38 first sergeant, said the visit provided Task Force 38 Soldiers with lifted spirits and information from home.

"The best part of the visit was the awards and reenlistment ceremony," said Branham, of Markleville, Ind. "You got a chance to hear him talk and hear current updates of what's going on back in Indiana."

Following the awards ceremony, Task Force 38 Soldiers and distinguished visitors ate dinner together at the Desert Inn dining facility here.

"The TAG's visit was a morale booster," said Branham. "I think the enlisted Soldiers know that he does care for them."

The unit's air movement request cell's senior coordinator, Indiana National Guard Spc. Joseph Bilbrey, said Umbarger took the extra step to show Soldiers how much he cared by visiting them while stationed here.

"It was very thoughtful of him to come all the way over to Iraq," said Bilbrey, an Indianapolis resident. "He didn't have to, and he did it out of the goodness of his heart."

Bilbrey said even though Umbarger's visit to JBB lasted only a day, his presence here was appreciated.

"He came in, shook everyone's hand, and got as personal as he could in a short amount of time," said Bilbrey. "He was a friendly face and a pat on the back."

Umbarger said he greatly enjoyed the chance to visit his Soldiers while they were on the opposite side of the world, but was excited he and Soldiers' families would soon have the chance to welcome them back home after their Operation Iraqi Freedom deployment.

• Date Taken: 05.17.2010
• Date Posted: 05.17.2010 11:52
• Story ID: 49820
• Location: JOINT BASE BALAD, IQ