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188th's Norris, Arkansas Guard's second agriculture team honored at Freedom Salute ceremony

  • Published
  • By Spc. Stephanie E. Deiters
  • 119th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
CAMP JOSEPH T. ROBINSON, Ark. --  Approximately 50 Soldiers and Airmen with the Arkansas National Guard's second Agriculture Development Team and their families were recently honored with a Freedom Salute Ceremony here.

Among those Airmen was Col. Paul Norris, 188th Medical Group commander. The Arkansas Agriculture Development Team II, a follow-on element for ADT I, was formed in April 2010 and began premobilization training in August of that year.

ADT II mobilized Nov. 29, 2010, and arrived at Camp Atterbury, Ind., Dec. 2, 2010, to begin the mobilization process. On Jan. 4, 2011, it left Camp Atterbury headed for Afghanistan. The team reached Kandahar, Afghanistan on Jan. 9, 2011, and arrived at Forward Operating Base Apache, the team's home for the next 11 months, Jan. 16, 2011.

The primary mission of ADT II was to improve governance and agricultural business development in Zabul Province, Afghanistan by mentoring the Director of Agriculture, Irrigation, and Livestock (DAIL) and his staff. During its nearly yearlong deployment, the team successfully planned, developed, and executed multiple agribusiness projects throughout Zabul Province, totaling more than $1.3 million.

The programs and initiatives significantly increased the capacity of the DAIL to deliver services to rural farming communities and increased confidence in the government of Afghanistan.

The Freedom Salute ceremony celebrated the accomplishments and honored the Soldiers and Airmen of the Arkansas Agriculture Development Team II. The servicemembers were presented with American flags displayed in a case with a plaque that read: "This Flag is presented to a true American Hero in recognition of your service and sacrifice in the cause of freedom. Your service will never be forgotten. From the grateful people of this nation."

The servicemembers were also presented with a freedom coin and a host of certificates, plaques and commemorative items that included an eagle statue.

The ADT II, family, friends and supporters were also thanked by Col. Mark Lumpkin, ADT II commander, during his closing remarks for the ceremony.

"I wish to thank each and every one of you for your service to our country, whether as a Soldier, Airman, or a team member," Lumpkin said.

188th's Norris, Arkansas Guard's second agriculture team honored at Freedom Salute ceremony

  • Published
  • By Spc. Stephanie E. Deiters
  • 119th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
CAMP JOSEPH T. ROBINSON, Ark. --  Approximately 50 Soldiers and Airmen with the Arkansas National Guard's second Agriculture Development Team and their families were recently honored with a Freedom Salute Ceremony here.

Among those Airmen was Col. Paul Norris, 188th Medical Group commander. The Arkansas Agriculture Development Team II, a follow-on element for ADT I, was formed in April 2010 and began premobilization training in August of that year.

ADT II mobilized Nov. 29, 2010, and arrived at Camp Atterbury, Ind., Dec. 2, 2010, to begin the mobilization process. On Jan. 4, 2011, it left Camp Atterbury headed for Afghanistan. The team reached Kandahar, Afghanistan on Jan. 9, 2011, and arrived at Forward Operating Base Apache, the team's home for the next 11 months, Jan. 16, 2011.

The primary mission of ADT II was to improve governance and agricultural business development in Zabul Province, Afghanistan by mentoring the Director of Agriculture, Irrigation, and Livestock (DAIL) and his staff. During its nearly yearlong deployment, the team successfully planned, developed, and executed multiple agribusiness projects throughout Zabul Province, totaling more than $1.3 million.

The programs and initiatives significantly increased the capacity of the DAIL to deliver services to rural farming communities and increased confidence in the government of Afghanistan.

The Freedom Salute ceremony celebrated the accomplishments and honored the Soldiers and Airmen of the Arkansas Agriculture Development Team II. The servicemembers were presented with American flags displayed in a case with a plaque that read: "This Flag is presented to a true American Hero in recognition of your service and sacrifice in the cause of freedom. Your service will never be forgotten. From the grateful people of this nation."

The servicemembers were also presented with a freedom coin and a host of certificates, plaques and commemorative items that included an eagle statue.

The ADT II, family, friends and supporters were also thanked by Col. Mark Lumpkin, ADT II commander, during his closing remarks for the ceremony.

"I wish to thank each and every one of you for your service to our country, whether as a Soldier, Airman, or a team member," Lumpkin said.