1108th and 1109th Theater Aviation Support Maintenance Group conduct transfer of authority

Photo By Sgt. Jeanne Bujalski | Col. Vincent Vannoorbeeck, commanding officer of the 1109th Theater Aviation Support Maintenance Group, speaks at the transfer of authority ceremony between the 1108th and 1109th TASMG Dec. 12 at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait. (Photo by Sgt. Jeanne Bujalski, 1109th TASMG Unit Public Affairs Representative)  

CAMP ARIFJAN, KUWAIT

12.24.2015

Story by Sgt. Jeanne Bujalski 

1109th TASMG

CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait - On Dec. 12, 2015, the 1109th Theater Aviation Support Maintenance Group (TASMG) Task Force 18, unfolded its colors during an uncasing ceremony at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait. The ceremony marked the acceptance of their mission supporting the U.S, Central Command area of responsibility and Operation Enduring Freedom.

The 1109th TASMG, an Army National Guard unit from Groton, Connecticut, accepted the mission from the 1108th TASMG of Gulfport, Mississippi. The 1108th has just completed a nine-month deployment and are now ready to relinquish their command to the 1109th. Commanded by Col. Vincent Vannoorbeeck and Command Sgt. Maj. Frederick Finnigan, the 1109th TASMG will assume aviation support, which includes Sea Port of Debarkation (SPOD), Aerial Port of Debarkation (APOD) and retrograde, for another nine month deployment.

During his speech the outgoing commander for the 1108th, Col. Stanley Budraitis, recognized his soldiers for their accomplishments during the tour.

Budraitis explained how his soldiers working in Afghanistan returned over $40 million dollars’ worth of aviation repair parts and equipment to the Army supply chain.

Praising his team, he said, “My soldiers responded to my challenge to think, act, and perform bigger than our small organization.”

When addressing the soldiers who were at the end of their tour, the commanding general of the 4th Sustainment Command, Brig. Gen Kenneth Jones said, “…your impact on the mission is phenomenal.”

He ended his speech by saying, “Remember that relationships and friendships go a long way.”

Although the 1108th has completed their tour, the constantly moving and critical Army mission must continue, and the 1109th TASMG is ready to take control. The 1109th, first here in Kuwait in 2003, have had numerous tour rotations in support of aviation across the CENTCOM theater. Their missions have included port, maintenance and logistics sustainment. In addition to Mississippi and Connecticut, the TASMG have units located in Springfield, Missouri and Fresno, California.

As the incoming commander for the 1109th took control, he addressed his soldiers by saying, “I challenge you to always exceed the standards, lead from the front, take your job serious but never yourselves and to always maintain the high ground.”

• Date Taken: 12.24.2015
• Date Posted: 12.24.2015 07:50
• Story ID: 185311
• Location: CAMP ARIFJAN, KW