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Outlaws transfer authority before redeploying
0427 Army outlaws
First Lt. Kenneth Forsythe, commander of the 1729th Maintenance Company, 749th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 4th Sustainment Brigade, 310th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), bows his head during the benediction at the conclusion of a transfer-of-authority ceremony April 12 at Contingency Operating Base Adder, Iraq. The ceremony marked the beginning of his units tour in support of Operation New Dawn. - photo by Photo by Spc. Sean McGuire

CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE ADDER, Iraq — Hundreds of soldiers gathered at Memorial Hall to witness the end of the 632nd Heavy Maintenance Company (Outlaws) tour in Iraq.
In true Army tradition, the 632nd Heavy Maintenance Company, 749th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 4th Sustainment Brigade, 310th Expeditionary Sustainment Command, conducted a transfer-of-authority ceremony April 12 with the 1729th Field Support Maintenance Company, from Havre De Grace, Md.
The Outlaws, who will return to Fort Stewart, served as the lone heavy maintenance company in Iraq.
Capt. Jesus Pena, commander of the 632nd Heavy Maintenance Company and a Del Rio, Texas, native, shared his company’s accomplishments during his remarks at the ceremony.
He also went on to thank his soldiers and honor a fallen comrade the company lost late in the deployment.
Lt. Col. David Ceniti, commander of the 749th CSSB, spoke in praise of the Outlaws.
“Your accomplishments were extraordinary,” he said. “You should feel honored for your world-class efforts in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation New Dawn.”
Ceniti also addressed his new maintenance counterparts, the 1729th FSMC.
“It’s up to you to write the next chapter in maintenance history,” Ceniti said.

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Exchange Service salutes Vietnam vets with custom truck design
Army and Air Force Exchange Service redesigned logo 2011

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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