Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Christie Smith | U.S. Army Col. Robert M. Martinez, right, commander, and Command Sgt. Maj. John R....... read more read more
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AL ASAD AIR BASE, Iraq – The 42nd Regional Support Group, New Jersey National Guard, relinquished command and responsibilities of base operating support integrator (BOS-I) operations here, March 3, 2021 at a transfer of authority ceremony at Al Asad Air Base, which was presided by U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Paul T. Calvert, commander, Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve.
After conducting relief in place operations with Soldiers from the 734th Regional Support Group, Iowa National Guard, where training and knowledge sharing of duties took place, the New Jersey Guardsmen will begin the process to head home and relinquish base authority to the Iowa team.
“What comes to the fore front of my mind are words like trustworthy, consistency, dependable, unfailing, steadfast,” said Calvert. “Task Force Patriot, under the leadership of the 42nd RSG has been absolutely reliable and has been a basis for the success as realized for CJTF-OIR.”
At the ceremony, the 42nd RSG’s unit colors were cased signifying the official completion of their mission in support of Operation Inherent Resolve, and the 734th unfurled its unit colors, thus assuming base command of Al Asad Air Base, and BOS-I operations here, Erbil, Kuwait, and Baghdad.
Col. Robert M. Martinez, commander, thanked his Soldiers for their professionalism and outstanding work during the past eight months of the deployment.
“Patriots, when I think of what you accomplished on your watch, I stand in awe,” said Martinez. “You literally changed the base map for the future, and you did it with one eye on world-class customer service and the other scanning for constant internal, external and COVID threats. You have made me, your family, your state, and your Nation proud.”
In addition, Martinez thanked the commander from the 321st Expeditionary Air Group, U.S. Air Force Col. Christopher Clark, and the leadership of coalition partners from Germany, Norway, Poland, and Spain for their support and co-operation while working together to meet OIR’s mission to continue to deter and ultimately defeat Da’esh in the Combined Joint Operating Area.
"We couldn't be prouder to call each of you teammates, more importantly, we are proud to now call each of you friends," said Martinez.
Other elements of 42nd RSG Soldiers also conducted transfer of authority at Camp Arifjan in Kuwait, Erbil, and Baghdad.
The 42D RSG is based out of the Somerset Armory in Somerset, New Jersey and deployed in support of Operation Inherent Resolve almost nine months ago. While in theater, the Soldiers provided the daily support to sustain life and comfort for troops and coalition forces stationed at their locations. These support operations included lodging, dining facility operations, gyms, laundry and bath services, fuel and ammunition stations, as well as coordinating infrastructure needs such as water, electricity and environmental control. The more than 80 Soldiers will now return to the United States to begin their demobilization process and return home to their families and resume their careers.
| Date Taken: | 03.03.2021 |
| Date Posted: | 03.05.2021 13:41 |
| Story ID: | 390622 |
| Location: | AL ASAD AIR BASE, IQ |
| Web Views: | 153 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
This work, NJ Guardsmen relinquish base operations to Iowa Guardsmen, by SFC Armando Vasquez, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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