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More troops to deploy overseas
Soldiers heading to Afghanistan by end of year
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Special to the News
Updated: Jun 13, 2012, 3:09 PM
Published: Jun 13, 2012, 3:10 PM

The Department of the Army has notified the 3rd Infantry Division that additional units that will deploy to Afghanistan later this year.
The 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade and the 3rd Sustainment Brigade will deploy to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, though the exact dates have not been released.
The 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade is expected to deploy to Regional Command-South for nine months. This is their second deployment to Afghanistan. The aviation brigade will provide aviation support for Regional Command-South, one of four International Security Assistance Force regional commands responsible for all ISAF operations in Afghanistan. Additionally, the 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade will advise and assist its Afghan partners.
The brigade is commanded by Col. Allan Pepin. It includes five aviation units, as well as the brigade headquarters: 1-3 Attack Battalion; 2-3 General Support Aviation Battalion; 3-17 Cavalry Squadron; 4-3 Assault Battalion; and 603rd Aviation Support Battalion.
The 3rd Sustainment Brigade is scheduled to deploy to Kandahar, Afghanistan, with its Special Troops Battalion for nine months. This will be the brigade headquarters’ first deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
The unit will be assigned to the Joint Sustainment Command-Afghanistan led by 3rd Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) from Fort Knox and will provide sustainment support to service members and coalition forces operating within regional commands, South, Southwest and West. The unit also will support, advise and assist missions with the Afghan national security forces.
The 3rd Sustainment Brigade provides logistical support to the 3rd Infantry Division while at Fort Stewart and was the Army’s first fully modular sustainment brigade. The brigade consists of the 87th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, the 260th Quartermaster Battalion and Special Troops Battalion.
Currently, three companies and two detachments from the 3rd Sustainment Brigade are deployed in Afghanistan, along with another two platoons and a detachment serving within the Central Command area of operation.

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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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