Ohio National Guard News

371st Sustainment Brigade
transfers authority at Camp Arifjan

Story and Photos by Staff Sgt. Kimberly Hill, 371st Sustainment Brigade Public Affairs

The Ohio Army National Guard's 371st Sustainment Brigade transfers authority of support operations in Southwest Asia to the 108th Sustainment Brigade during a ceremony on Feb. 18, 2014, at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait. The 371st, based out of Springfield, Ohio, will be welcomed home during a ceremony this weekend.



CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait (02/28/14) — The 371st Sustainment Brigade transferred authority of support operations in Southwest Asia to the 108th Sustainment Brigade during a Feb. 18, 2014, ceremony here.

“I have to say how proud I am of a group of Soldiers and leaders who helped foster an atmosphere and a culture of success,” said Col. Gregory W. Robinette, a Bowling Green, Ohio, native, and the commander of the 371st Sus. Bde.

The transfer of authority process began when the 108th Sus. Bde., an Illinois National Guard unit based out of Chicago, arrived here in the beginning of February to replace the 371st Sus. Bde. Based out of Springfield, Ohio, the 371st Sus. Bde. had been in charge of support operations since June 2013.

“I’m here today a better commander, a better officer and a better Soldier because of the members of the 371st Special Troops Battalion, 371st Sus. Bde.,” said Lt. Col. Mark A. Raaker, a Pataskala, Ohio, native, and the commander of the 371st STB.

The Ohio Army National Guard brigade was responsible for support operations in Southwest Asia, a region that includes eight countries with subordinate units operating throughout the area, said Col. Thomas E. Haidet, a Westerville, Ohio, native, and the deputy commander of the 371st Sus. Bde.

The Soldiers of the 108th Sus. Bde. shadowed their 371st Sus. Bde. counterparts for two weeks to learn their daily tasks and responsibilities, to include logistical, administrative and operational support during the deployment.

“The shadowing was helpful, I’ve never worked in a joint visitor’s bureau before this deployment and it was an eye-opening experience,” said Capt. Michael Davidson, a Park Forest, Ill., native, and the joint visitor’s bureau officer-in-charge with the 108th Sus. Bde.

The 371st Sus. Bde. has deployed in support of World War I and World War II, as well as Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. The brigade’s most recent deployment to Kuwait marks its third overseas deployment in the past 10 years.

“At our peak, the 371st Sus. Bde. had Soldiers executing operations in eight countries, at sea and at every port in the theater, and while executing those missions, we stood ready to support a number of contingency missions,” Robinette said. “So be proud of what you’ve accomplished and when you go home, proudly tell your stories to your Families, friends and your communities.”