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Indiana Adjutant General honors Soldiers with
visit to Iraq
Story
By
Sgt. Robert G.
Cooper III
Posted: June 20, 2008
BALAD,
Iraq - As June
marks the halfway point in the 76th Infantry Brigade Combat Team’s
current deployment in
Iraq,
many of the Nighthawks were treated to an unexpected visit from
Indiana’s
adjutant general recently. During a three-day visit to
Iraq
that began Tuesday, June 17,
Maj. Gen. R. Martin Umbarger and State
Command Sgt. Maj. James M. Brown visited with members of the 76th
IBCT and ensured fellow Hoosiers that Indiana
continues to “Point the Way.”
During his visit, Maj.
Gen. Umbarger made stops at locations throughout Iraq
where the Nighthawks are currently conducting operations such as
Balad, Al-Qayyarah and Baghdad.
But no matter where he went, he and Brown complimented the brigade
on their accomplishments so far.
“It’s great to be able to
see all of you,” Maj. Gen. Umbarger said.
“Command Sgt. Maj. Brown and I have
been looking forward to this visit. We think about you every day.
Every place I go, people ask me ‘how is
the brigade doing’?
I tell them all the wonderful things
you are doing. Wherever you are needed, you are doing what you need
to get this job done,” he said.
Aside from the convoy and
route security and installation management missions, the 76th IBCT
has also been spearheading the Iraqi-Based Industrial Zone
initiative, which was created by Multi-National Force-Iraq to spur
economic growth in
Iraq.
The program allows Coalition Forces and local Iraqi leaders to
co-produce new business and job opportunities.
During his visit, Maj.
Gen. Umbarger met with local leader Sheik Shihab Ahmed Saleh Al-Tamimi
for the ribbon-cutting ceremony of a new oil and lube service
station at Joint Base Balad. The station, which was completely
renovated thanks to the efforts of 76th Soldiers and members of the
sheikh’s village, marked the endeavors of the Nighthawks’ commitment
to rebuilding the Iraqi communities and their economy.
“You are making your name
throughout this entire region and I’m so very, very proud,” Maj.
Gen. Umbarger said.
Although he applauded the
brigade’s work during his visit, the adjutant general wasn’t without
acknowledgment of the current efforts of Indiana Guardsmen back home
battling against Mother Nature. Due to major flooding from extreme
weather throughout the Midwest, Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels recently
declared a State of
Emergency
for many parts of the state.
“There is a tremendous
amount of damage due to the tornado and floods,” Maj. Gen. Umbarger
said. There are over 1,400 of your brothers and sisters on state
active duty just doing great work for the community. The fact that
no one was injured is more important than anything.
“Your families are doing
well back home,” he said, assuring many
Southern Indiana
natives during dinner with Soldiers Tuesday. “If you have anyone you
know who has problems due to the tornado and floods, let us know;
give us their name and we will take it back to follow up on.”
76th
IBCT Commander Col. Courtney Carr said he was grateful for the
adjutant general’s decision to visit despite the current conditions
back home. “With all the things happening back in the state of
Indiana,
for (Gen. Umbarger) to be able to take the time to come over and
visit us is inspiring to me,” he said.
It’s good to see a friendly face from
back home, and we appreciate everything he is doing for us and
especially for our families back in the state.”
In the face of appreciation among the Soldiers,
Maj. Gen. Umbarger said he was the one humbled to spend time with
those who will return home as veterans later this year.
“You’re combat veterans
now,” he said. “You’re wearing the right shoulder patch, and you’ve
earned it; some of you for the second and third time. Nobody will
ever be able to take that away from you. I commend you for
volunteering to serve your state and country. I am so honored to be
your adjutant general.
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