Courtesy Photo | Col. Richard Lamb, commander, 651st RSG and Command Sgt. Maj. Michael Dobbs, unfurl...... read more read more
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CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait – The air was cool and mood light as soldiers of the 653rd Regional Support Group from Phoenix stood side by side their replacements, the 651st RSG out of Denver, in the formal transfer of authority ceremony held at Camp Arifjan, Oct. 12.
Both Regional Support Groups are Reserve units, which fall under the 311th Expeditionary Sustainment Command, based out of Los Angeles.
While deployed here, the RSG provides deployment and redeployment of forces and materiel in support of U.S. Central Command and fall under the operational control of the 1st Theater Sustainment Command, Third Army.
“I feel invigorated,” said a smiling Sgt. Maj. Ernest Harris, a senior noncommissioned logistician with the 651st RSG who has served his nation for 34 years. The Phoenix native said that despite several unexpected challenges along the way, he felt the soldiers of the 653rd did an outstanding job.
“They’ll make their mark,” Harris said, of their replacements, “just like we did.”
Col. Robert Olson of Ripon, Calif., who serves as the 653rd commander, echoed these sentiments.
“I think what I’m most proud of is that these soldiers made their mark,” Olson said. “They were successful because of their ‘can-do’ attitude and their self-motivation. They had some interesting challenges, but reacted to the situations magnificently.”
Olson was referring to the unit’s unique experiences which included the mandated reallocation of part of their unit to another mission in another area, a major airport hub closure and the erupting of an Icelandic volcano.
“You don’t think about it until it’s over,” Olson said. “Then you look back and say, ‘Wow that was something.’”
Lauded by soldiers and leaders for their outstanding customer service and positive spirit, the 653rd RSG will return home amid awards and accolades, evidence of a job well done. Olsen said he believed their various civilian expertise and their experiences as Reservists provided the flexibility and resiliency needed during this deployment.
“They always had such positive attitudes,” Olson said.
“We have to handle difficult challenges throughout this complicated theater,” said Maj. Gen. Kenneth S. Dowd, commanding general for the 1st TSC. “Your mission time here was anything but calm. Your tour was marked by challenges, some unexpected and drastic, but the 653rd always responded with quick, decisive determination, turning challenges into opportunities.”
Dowd went on to praise the 653rd commander and his command sergeant major, Command Sgt. Maj. Gene Lund, who with Olson have led the unit through its deactivation from Area Support Group, reactivation as the Regional Support Group, pre-deployment, deployment and redeployment.
He cited their innovations in the establishment of the “mini-gateway” to expedite the return and deployment of troops. They emplaced monitors at the staging areas so travelers could read updated flight information near real time and volunteered to secure travelers’ weapons, saving soldiers invaluable days, days they’d rather spend at home. All these initiatives were done with the sole purpose of making the soldier more comfortable and to minimize the soldier’s time traveling as much as possible, Dowd said.
“Time and time again, soldiers praised the command for making their trip better than before,” said Dowd. “That was you.”
With the casing of the 653rd’s colors and the uncasing of the 651st’s, the transfer was completed. The 653rd strove to provide their replacements a good sponsorship, just as they felt they received upon their arrival a year earlier.
“The 1st TSC was very helpful to us when we came on board,” said Olson. “It really was ‘one team.’”
The left seat, right seat, ride seemed to prove successful after hand over, and service members of the 651st RSG appeared ready to take on their new mission.
“I feel Sgt. [Justin D.] Broadwater (sponsor) did a good job getting me ready,” said Sgt. 1st Class Ricky Vargas of Tulia, Texas, and former infantryman who now serves as an operations NCO with the 651st RSG. “I’m looking forward to seeing how things work.”
Prior to the completion of the ceremony, the outgoing commander had a few words of advice for the new soldiers of the 651st RSG.
“I want to say, stay focused and take care of each other and everything else will fall into place,” said Olson.
The incoming commander, Col. Richard Lamb of Layton, Utah, seemed excited to begin the new mission and provide much needed services to the warfighter.
“We have the benefit of having the greatest customers in the world, the servicemen and women of the United States of America,” Lamb said.
He said all the preparations from their time at the mobilization station through pre-deployment training, up to the battle hand off with the 653rd RSG provided them the focus for the mission ahead.
“I feel ready for the mission,” Lamb said, “and eager to get started.”
| Date Taken: | 10.12.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 10.19.2010 10:51 |
| Story ID: | 58424 |
| Location: | CAMP ARIFJAN, KW |
| Web Views: | 326 |
| Downloads: | 14 |
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