108th Sustainment Brigade encases colors, ends mission in Kuwait

Story by Staff Sgt. Michael Camacho, 108th Sustainment Brigade Public Affairs

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Command Sgt. Maj. John Burns, left,108th Sustainment Brigade command sergeant major, and Col. Drew Dukett, right,108th Sust. Bde. commander, encase the brigade colors during a transfer of authority ce

SPRINGFIELD, IL (10/17/2014)(readMedia)-- CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait – The 108th Sustainment Brigade, an Illinois Army National Guard unit out of Chicago, turned over its sustainment support mission to the 3rd Sustainment Brigade, out of Fort Stewart, Georgia, following a transfer of authority ceremony, Oct. 14, at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait.

The 108th Sust. Bde. served in Kuwait for nine months, providing logistical support to U.S. and coalition forces in the U.S Central Command's area of responsibility.

Brig. Gen. Daniel Mitchell, deputy commanding general of the 1st Sustainment Command (Theater), said the 108th Sust. Bde. served with honor and distinction by managing sustainment and retrograde operations.

"When they recognized a problem - they addressed it," said Mitchell. "When they saw that something could be done better, they did it better. They improved sustainment and retrograde operations throughout [the region] with steadfast support, keeping them in the fight."

Mitchell thanked the Soldiers of the 108th Sust. Bde. for all they have done and will continue to do for the Army and the nation. Col. Drew Dukett, commander of 108th Sust. Bde. said, "The concept of sustainment is not always pretty or glamorous, but it is a necessity to the evolving military challenges we face today."

Since arriving last February, the 108th Sust. Bde. has been challenged numerous times with support requirements that stressed both its capabilities and experience level, said Dukett.

"Whether responding to the demands of difficult and quickly evolving contingency operations in Iraq, maintaining mission command over troops in seven different countries throughout the region, supporting sustainment operations or supporting the robust retrograde operations out of Afghanistan, the Soldiers of the 108th performed admirably."

As the 3rd Sust. Bde takes over operations, Dukett said he is confident the brigade is ready to support logistical operations in the region.

"As you now take on this mission I look forward to seeing your unit continue the legacy of successful sustainment operations here in Kuwait," said Dukett. "The theater is in good hands with you at the sustainment helm. Enjoy the varied challenges that this theater provides and continue the excellence of supporting the warfighter."

Mitchell said the 3rd Sust. Bde. has provided support for service members in combat theaters time and time again; and while Kuwait is not a combat zone, the sustainment mission is unique and ever changing.

"You are the Soldiers who provide the warfighter what they need to win and make our forces and our allies successful on the battlefield," said Mitchell.

Col. Anthony Coston, commander of the 3rd Sust. Bde., said that his Soldiers are ready to take on the mission.

"Each of our subordinate units wears a different patch, but we're all united for a single purpose-- to sustain the Soldiers," said Coston. "For this mission in Kuwait we support a total force of active duty, National Guard and Reserves and other forces from across the globe."

Command Sgt. Maj. John Burns, left,108th Sustainment Brigade command sergeant major, and Col. Drew Dukett, right,108th Sust. Bde. commander, encase the brigade colors during a transfer of authority ceremony, Oct. 14 at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait. This ceremony signifies end of the 108th Sust. Bde.'s nine-month sustainment support mission in U.S. Central Command's area of responsibility. (U.S. Army Photo by Spc. Rochelle Prince-Krueger/Released)

Command Sgt. Maj. John Burns, left,108th Sustainment Brigade command sergeant major, and Col. Drew Dukett, right,108th Sust. Bde. commander, encase the brigade colors during a transfer of authority ceremony, Oct. 14 at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait. This ceremony signifies end of the 108th Sust. Bde.'s nine-month sustainment support mission in U.S. Central Command's area of responsibility. (U.S. Army Photo by Spc. Rochelle Prince-Krueger/Released)

Command Sgt. Maj. John Burns, left,108th Sustainment Brigade command sergeant major, and Col. Drew Dukett, right,108th Sust. Bde.commander, encase the brigade colors during a transfer of authority ceremony, Oct. 14 at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait. This ceremony signifies end of the 108th Sust. Bde.'s nine-month sustainment support mission in U.S. Central Command's area of responsibility. (U.S. Army Photo by Spc. Rochelle Prince-Krueger/Released)