Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Nancy Lugo | Heidi Shyu, acting assistant secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics and...... read more read more
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AL-ASAD AIR BASE, Iraq - Paratroopers waited with great anticipation in the headquarters of 407th Brigade Support Battalion, 82nd Airborne Division, 2nd Advise and Assist Brigade, for the arrival of the first female four-star general, commander of the Army Materiel Command, Gen. Ann E. Dunwoody at Al-Asad Air Base, Iraq, Sept. 14. Prior to the Army’s transformation to a modular force, Dunwoody was the first female battalion commander in the 82nd Abn. Div. as she commanded the 407th Supply and Transportation Battalion and 782nd Main Support Battalion.
As AMC commander, Dunwoody’s mission is to responsibly manage the equipment and materiel that will leave Iraq by the end of December and bring it back into Army service.
Dunwoody walked in with Lt. Col. James Jennings, commander of the 407th BSB, 2/82 at her side. Jennings had previously served with her on two occasions.
Jennings said, “I think the fact that I worked twice for her before probably contributed to visiting with the 407th, but really I think any time there is an opportunity in her travel schedule, she will visit with soldiers, and it just so happened to be the 407th this time.”
Upon entering the battalion, she recognized paratroopers who had been singled out by the battalion leadership for their superior performance. Dunwoody gave out coins to those deserving soldiers.
She deployed to Desert Shield and Desert Storm with the 82nd Abn. Div. as a logistics officer. Now she commands the AMC, one of the Army’s largest commands with more than 70,000 employees and a presence in all 50 states and 155 countries.
Dunwoody sat down with senior leaders of 2/82 to hear about what has been accomplished in Iraq and where they are going in the future. Jennings highlighted the work 407th BSB has done sustaining the brigade and working with the Iraqi army, advising, training and assisting. She was particularly interested in 2/82’s future mission, as a part of the Nation’s Global Response Force, after returning from Iraq.
When talking about paratroopers during the meeting, Dunwoody said, “I think they are the best in the Army.”
A sentiment that he shares, “I really do consider it a great blessing to serve with and to serve for the great paratroopers of this battalion,” said Jennings.
The general had limited time to spend with the BSB, and soon, it was time to go.
The “Golden Griffins” were called to attention as their former battalion commander left.
“It was a great day all around for the brigade and for the battalion. I was really excited for our troopers she was able to recognize. Gen. Dunwoody is all about taking care of soldiers,” said Jennings.
| Date Taken: | 09.16.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 09.23.2011 02:43 |
| Story ID: | 77485 |
| Location: | AL ASAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 661 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Gen. Dunwoody, AMC commander visits her former battalion, by SFC Nancy Lugo, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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