AL ASAD AIR BASE, Iraq –
Col. Todd Pegg, commander of the Virginia National Guard's 329th Regional Support Group, transitioned base command authority to Lt. Col. Nathan Adkins, commander of 2nd Battalion, 12th Field Artillery Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Nov. 23, 2021, at Al Asad Air Base, Iraq. Pegg will now command the 329th RSG from Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, where he will oversee their Base Operating Support - Integrator missions at Al Asad, Erbil and Baghdad, Iraq in support of Combined Joint Task Force - Operation Inherent Resolve.
During the ceremony, 1st Sgt. David Elliott, 329th RSG, transitioned base sergeant major responsibilities to 1st Sgt. Dustin Kibler, 2nd Battalion.
Pegg initially assumed base command authority from Col. Mark Coble, commander, 734th Regional Support Group at a ceremony Oct. 22 at Al Asad Air Base.
BOS-I operations efficiently use mission support resources to provide sustained life support functions to all forces on a base.
“I’m confident Lt. Col. Adkins and [his team] will enjoy the same support and success at Al Asad because of the collective effort, attitude, climate and performance that makes this place what it is,” Pegg stated.
Pegg will also support CJTF-OIR efforts to evaluate BOS-I processes at installations that house coalition forces in Iraq and Syria.
Multiple mission partners, to include Iraqi Air Force Maj. Gen. Abbas Fadel Damer, commander of Al Asad Air Base, attended the Nov. 23 transfer of authority ceremony.
“Thank you Col. Pegg,” said Abbas. “Despite the short time we had with you we will continue to work with Lt. Col. Adkins. We will continue to work together to share information and make the base more secure and stable. I wish Lt. Col. Adkins success with [his command].”
Al Asad Air Base, an Iraqi-run installation, conducts operations in support of CJTF-OIR, a multi-national coalition charged with advising, assisting and enabling Iraqi partners to maintain the enduring defeat of Daesh.
During the ceremony, Pegg and Elliott furled the 329th RSG colors, signifying the end of their base command. Adkins and Kibler then unfurled the 2nd Battalion colors, signifying the start of their base command.
Adkins will oversee support and coordinate efforts between core base functions to enable operations at the Iraqi-run installation.
“It is important to remember that we are on one team with different missions that all contribute equally to the success of this base, the mission across CJTF and to enable our Iraqi partners to defeat Daesh. We will continue to enable CJTF-OIR and NATO Mission-Iraq missions through this critical facility,” said Adkins.
At the conclusion of the ceremony, coalition partners presented Pegg parting gifts and tokens of appreciation for the support he provided their forces. Others in attendance welcomed Adkins and congratulated Pegg on a successful command.