Photo By Brian Barbour | Command Sgt. Maj. John Paul Salazar, Area Support Group – Jordan, command sergeant...... read more read more
By Sgt. 1st Class Brian Barbour, ASG-J
Joint Training Center, Jordan –The 198th Regional Support Group from Phoenix unfurled its colors during a transfer of authority ceremony, Nov. 8, at Joint Training Center, Jordan.
The ceremonious uncasing of colors by the Arizona Army National Guard unit symbolized it’s acceptance of mission from U.S. Armed Forces - Jordan, composed of Soldiers from the Pennsylvania Army National Guard’s 28th Infantry Division, Task Force Spartan.
Col. Christopher S. Sandison, commander of ASG-J, spoke to the significance of the ceremony in a speech to his Soldiers and guests in attendance.
“First and foremost, this occasion stands as an official handover of authority and creation of Area Support Group - Jordan, to support the efforts to strengthen defense relationships with the country of Jordan,” Sandison said.
The 198th RSG’s colors fluttered from a slight breeze in front of a formation of Arizona Guardsmen as Sandison continued to speak.
“Secondly, today marks the first time the 198th RSG from Phoenix, Arizona has deployed as a unit to fulfill an RSG mission by assuming command form U.S. Army Forces - Jordan and becoming Area Support Group - Jordan,” Sandison said. “This ceremony reaffirms the continued commitment of the United States to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and the security and stability of the region.”
The new ASG-J will conduct mission command, base operation support structure, and Joint Reception, Staging, Onward Movement, and Integration at United States Army Central facilities in Jordan, enabling operations and activities by the Department of Defense while working with the Jordan Armed Forces.
Maj. Gen. David C. Hill, deputy commanding general, U.S. Army Central Command also spoke about the event’s importance during his speech.
“This transition aligns our forces properly to gain efficiencies in our own force structure,” Hill said. “It also further enhances our long-standing partnership with the Jordan Armed Forces, who continue to be gracious hosts.”
Sandison also recognized contributions of his predecessor Col. Robert Robinson, 28th ID commander, and Soldiers of the 28th ID.
“You have laid the foundation for ASG-J and units to follow, through hard work and dedication to your country and the country of Jordan,” Sandison said.
Robinson spoke with pride of his Soldiers’ accomplishments to an audience of dignitaries, JAF, U.S. Service Members and soldiers from several other countries.
“You have made a positive and lasting impact in this country,” Robinson said. “That my friends is something worth noting and something you should take great pride in. You have not only done what you were sent here to do, you did it with dignity, passion, style, class, professionalism and kindness.”
| Date Taken: | 11.08.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 11.16.2018 05:20 |
| Story ID: | 300134 |
| Location: | JO |
| Web Views: | 397 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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