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Former 3rd ID officer to get Iraq command
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Lt. Gen. Lloyd J. Austin III speaks as he relinquishes command of Multi-National Corps - Iraq in April 2009, at the transfer of authority ceremony at the Faw Palace in Baghdad, Iraq. - photo by U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Denise M. Serrano
Staff Report
Updated: Apr 14, 2010, 4:46 PM
Published: Apr 14, 2010, 5:00 PM
A former deputy commander of the 3rd Infantry Division is reportedly being considered to become the senior U.S. general in Iraq.
The Associated Press reported Tuesday that Gen. Ray Odierno, the senior U.S. general in Iraq since 2008, will be succeeded by Lt. Gen. Lloyd Austin III, a leading Pentagon general, at the end of the summer, military officials said Monday. Austin is now staff director for the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
He was assistant division commander of the 3rd ID based at Fort Stewart in 2001-03.
Military officials spoke about the change on condition of anonymity because the announcement has not been made.
Pentagon press secretary Geoff Morrell said Defense Secretary Robert Gates has not yet made a recommendation to the White House for Odierno’s successor.
Odierno took over command in Iraq from Gen. David Petraeus. He has served in various senior Army positions in Iraq since 2006. Odierno is less well known, although he cuts an imposing figure at more than 6 feet tall, burly and bald.
He plans to remain in Iraq through the drawdown of U.S. combat forces by September. Odierno then takes over Joint Forces Command, which trains forces from all branches of the military to work together.
The 3rd ID currently has three brigades, nearly 12,000 troops, in Iraq and will send the 4th Brigade Combat Team there this summer. The 3rd ID troops currently there will start redeploying next fall.
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Exchange Service salutes Vietnam vets with custom truck design
Army and Air Force Exchange Service redesigned logo 2011
Bryan County News
Published: Apr 10, 2018, 1:53 PM

To thank Vietnam veterans for their sacrifices, the Army and Air Force Exchange Service is debuting a new truck design, part of the Department of Defense retailer’s efforts alongside the United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration to honor veterans during the 50th anniversary of the war.

“The Exchange is privileged to have the opportunity to recognize Vietnam veterans through our fleet,” said Exchange Director/CEO Tom Shull, who served in the Army during the Vietnam era. “These trucks will serve as rolling billboards, expressing gratitude for all who served during this era.”

The truck design features the silhouette of a lone service member set against the background of a faded horizon with a call to “thank a Vietnam veteran for service to our nation.” The single military member represents the warfighters who served during this time.

Three trucks in the fleet feature the commemorative design and will deliver merchandise to Exchange stores from the organization’s distribution centers in the continental United States.

The West Coast Distribution Center at Sharpe Army Depot in California; Dan Daniel Distribution Center in Newport News, Va.; and the Waco Distribution Center in Texas will each have a truck in service on their standard delivery routes, serving the whole country.

Air Force veteran Pat Thompson served in Vietnam before coming to the Exchange as a truck driver and mechanic. In his 18 years with the Exchange, he has deployed four times to support the troops. The new design means a lot to him.

“They remember,” said Thompson, who is based at the Exchange’s Waco Distribution Center. “We want to be remembered.”

The trucks also highlight the veteran online shopping benefit, which launched in November. The lifelong online military exchange benefit authorizes all who served honorably to enjoy tax-free shopping and exclusive military pricing at ShopMyExchange.com.

The United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration is a program administered by the Office of the Secretary of Defense to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War. The U.S. began commemoration of the Vietnam War’s 50th anniversary in 2012 and will continue through Veterans Day 2025.

The Exchange is a 50th Anniversary Vietnam War Commemorative Partner, planning and conducting events and activities that recognize Vietnam veterans and their families for service, valor and sacrifice in conjunction with the commemoration.

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