MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla., March 25, 2015 - To recognize headquarters personnel for the role they play in enabling downrange units to conduct their mission, U.S. Central Command was presented with a secretary of defense-level award March 23, recognizing excellence in maintenance training, advice and assistance of foreign security forces.
John Johns, deputy assistant secretary of defense for maintenance policy and programs, said that members of the three Afghanistan-based units had separately been recognized for their work and that this award to USCENTCOM headquarters emphasized the growing importance of the capability of international partners and the U.S. military role in maturing those capabilities.
Maj. Gen. Michael Garrett, USCENTCOM chief of staff, accepted the award on the command's behalf.
USCENTCOM headquarters was recognized for its efforts in supporting the following units in Afghanistan:
- The Ministerial Advisory Group Logistics Advisory Team and Sustainment Enterprise Advisory Group Strategic Initiatives Team, International Security Assistance Force headquarters, who advised the Afghan Ministry of Defense in Kabul.
- The 438th Air Expeditionary Wing, 9th Air Expeditionary Task Force, U.S. Air Forces Central, at Kabul International Airport, Kandahar Air Field, and Shindand Air Field.
- The 526th Brigade Support Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, Combined Joint Task Force-10, Regional Command-East, ISAF, at Bagram Air Field.