KANDAHAR AIR FIELD, Afghanistan – The Soldiers of Fort Carson’s 43rd Sustainment Brigade received a visit from U.S. Army Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Peter W. Chiarelli and Under Secretary of the Army Honorable Dr. Joseph Westphal at the brigade’s tactical operations center on Kandahar Air Field, Afghanistan, Dec. 7.
Chiarelli and Westphal met with the 43rd SB command team to discuss big-picture operations and to ensure the soldiers were properly equipped to complete their mission. Before that meeting, they took a few minutes to address nearly 300 of the brigade’s soldiers, assembled in front of the TOC.
“I can’t tell you how proud we are to be here with you today,” said Westphal. “Thank you for all that you do. And we thank your families for the sacrifices they are making while you are here, defending our country.”
Command Sgt. Maj. Randy S. Varner, the 43rd SB command sergeant major, introduced the formation and indicated the 68 soldiers before him hailed from 24 different companies within the brigade’s command. Soldiers present included those from the 43rd SB, the 129th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion from Fort Campbell, Ky., the 129th CSSB from the Virginia National Guard and the 1225th CSSB from the Michigan National Guard.
Chiarelli expressed his gratitude to the soldiers standing around him, and then conducted a re-enlistment ceremony for the formation before him.
“To maintain your commitment to the U.S. Army and to this great nation is amazing,” said Chiarelli. “It attests to your patriotism, and I could not be more proud than to get to do this today. So if you could please raise your right hand and repeat after me:”
Chiarelli then recited the Oath of Enlistment to the formation.
Nearly 200 soldiers from the brigade and its subordinate units have re-enlisted since March, when the 43rd SB first arrived in Afghanistan.
Col. Edward M. Daly, commander, 43rd SB, expressed his gratitude for the selfless service so many of his soldiers show in extending their service with the Army, despite high operational tempo and frequent deployments.
“Our soldiers’ unwavering dedication to this great profession of arms is always a source of pride for me,” said Daly. “And when I see these superstars re-up for another four years, or however long it may be, I know I’m looking into the faces of tomorrow’s leaders, and I know the Army is in good hands.”
| Date Taken: | 12.07.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 12.11.2010 07:26 |
| Story ID: | 61739 |
| Location: | KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, AF |
| Web Views: | 158 |
| Downloads: | 7 |
This work, Army Vice Chief of Staff visits, re-enlists sustainers in Afghanistan, by SSG Ian M. Terry, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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