Photo By Sgt. Ryan Scribner | A group photo during a visit from New York National Guard leadership to Soldiers with...... read more read more
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PRINCE SULTAN AIR BASE, Saudi Arabia -- U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Michel Natali, assistant adjutant general of the New York National Guard, Brig. Gen. Joseph Biehler, commanding officer of the 53rd Troop Command and Command Sgt. Maj. Marc Maynard, principal advisor to Biehler, visited the 369th Sustainment Brigade on Prince Sultan Air Base, or PSAB, Saudi Arabia March 2, 2023.
The New York Army National Guard leadership took a tour of PSAB and spent time with 369th SB Soldiers who are operating in a forward expeditionary capacity on the airbase.
The 369th is a historic organization in the New York Army National Guard.
Natali said during a luncheon with the brigade that many New Yorkers deployed right after completing COVID-19 missions at home in the U.S. to locations such as the Horn of Africa, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.
In total, there about three thousand New York National Guardsman now serving in a deployed capacity.
Following the luncheon, four Soldiers with the brigade received a challenge coin from Biehler.
The presentation of challenge coins is a way for senior leadership to make clear to Soldiers that they are valued and appreciated for their phenomenal work.
Spc. Matthew Chung, an information technician specialist with the 187th Signal Company, 369th SB, received a coin and he said that it made him feel honored to be recognized for his hard work.
Chung has helped maintain the networks for the brigade’s Tactical Action Center, or TAC; every time an outage occurred, he worked hard to restore the downed network, said Capt. Brendan Sullivan, officer in charge of the 369th SB TAC.
“This kind of recognition makes me want to learn more about my Army profession and further my skills,” Chung said. “When a senior leader is impressed by my work, I feel that I’m on the right track.”
Biehler said that the reason New York National Guard leadership makes a point of visiting deployed Soldiers is because it is important to recognize that they are not forgotten.
Maynard added that he’s extremely proud of the 369th SB Soldiers and that he values their commitment, everything they have accomplished and their impact.
The NYNG leadership spoke one-on-one with Soldiers from a multitude of sections who had questions or those who sought career advice from them.
The importance of face-to-face conversation with Soldiers is supreme, said Natali.
“We are responsible for readiness, and so we want to make sure that Soldiers have everything they need to complete the mission,” Natali said. “But more than that, we want to provide career solutions and support for Soldiers for when they return from deployment.”
Master Sgt. Jaime Lino, chief ammo sergeant with the 369th SB support operations ammunition management section, said that the NYNG leadership had genuine concern for Soldier’s opinions and inputs, and questions and concerns.
“These senior leaders have great insight to offer Soldiers about what the National Guard has to offer,” Lino said. “They can provide guidance on what a Soldier can do to advance themselves.”
Natali said that the amount of Soldiers deployed this year has been the biggest for New York in a long time.
“I’m very proud of every deployed Guardsman,” Natali said. “Thank you for supporting the mission.”
| Date Taken: | 03.02.2023 |
| Date Posted: | 03.14.2023 07:51 |
| Story ID: | 439615 |
| Location: | PRINCE SULTAN AIR BASE , SA |
| Web Views: | 146 |
| Downloads: | 3 |
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