The Transfer of Authority ceremony was conducted by Maj. Gen. Kenneth Dowd, commanding general of the 1st Theater Sustainment Command.
Outgoing Brigade Commander Col. Donnie Walker and Brigade Command Sgt. Maj. Miguel Rivera cased the brigade colors as the Tennesseans assumed authority.
230th Commander Col. Mark Hart and Brigade Command Sgt. Maj. George Holland uncased their Tennessee colors, symbolizing the official transfer of authority to the incoming command.
The ceremony marks an historic event as the 230th now becomes the only Army sustainment brigade within Kuwait. Its primary mission is to support U.S. Forces currently stationed in Iraq and Afghanistan, while overseeing the responsible draw-down of U.S. Forces out of Iraq by the end of 2011.
Their role is a critical one in theater sustainment operations. It includes missions into Iraq resupplying troops while pulling various resources out of Iraq and back to Kuwait.
230th Sustainment Brigade Commander Col. Mark Hart had high praise for the outgoing 1st Brigade.
“The greatest tribute that anyone could pay you would be that of emulation,” Hart said. “I can assure you that your lineage here and the job you’ve done will be emulated by the Old Hickory Volunteers.”
“Change is inevitable,” Hart said. “The brigade will continue at the tip of the sword for all the Warfighters in harm’s way. We stand ready for the challenge, we accept the change, and we look forward to the mission. Old Hickory Volunteers will ‘get’er done.’”
