NYC National Guard Soldiers Complete Overseas Mission, Prep for Redeployment

CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait (07/05/2023) — The New York National Guard's 369th Sustainment Brigade, deployed here as Task Force Hellfighter, cased their colors during a transfer of authority ceremony to mark the end of their mission overseas at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, July 3, 2023.

The ceremony signified the end of the duties and responsibilities of the Harlem-based 369th, commanded by New York Army National Guard Col. Seth Morgulas, and the assumption of those duties and responsibilities passed to the Ohio National Guard's 371st Sustainment Brigade, commanded by Col. Michael Burgett.

U.S. Army Reserve Brig. Gen. Maria Juarez, deputy commander of the 1st Theater Sustainment Command, conducted the transfer of authority ceremony.

Juarez said that Morgulas and Command Sgt. Maj. Curtis Moss, the senior enlisted advisor of the 369th, achieved repeated mission success in the complex United States Central Command area of responsibility with successful command of 2,800 Soldiers spread across 32 locations.

"The Hellfighters significant achievements and numerous and seemingly endless showcase of an impressive skillset and endless dedication will without question have a lasting impact on the future of our partners in securing their borders, deterring aggression and stabilizing the region," Juarez said.

Task Force Hellfighter provided command and control of five direct reporting battalions, achieving mission success while running dynamic distributed mission command in support of Combined Joint Task Forces - Operation Inherent Resolve and Operation Spartan Shield.

Morgulas said that while the Hellfighter Soldiers who served in Kuwait from late 2022-2023 did not endure combat conditions comparable to the original Hellfighters-where Sgt. Henry Johnson fought against a German raiding party during World War I-but nonetheless planned, coordinated and executed missions that made history.

"I've been assigned to many units and worked with many great teams during my 31 years of service, but I've never worked with as amazing a group of Soldiers as the Harlem Hellfighters," Morgulas said. "Hellfighters, your dedication and ability to rise to any challenge has been truly inspiring."

The 369th Sustainment Brigade cased their colors, and the subordinate units-the 369th Special Troops Battalion, the brigade Headquarters and Headquarters Company and the 187th Signal Company-all did the same as the Soldiers prepare for their redeployment home.

The Soldiers are expected to redeploy back to the states for demobilization and then return home later in July.

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