29th ID concludes tour as Task Force Spartan

Maj. Gen. John Rhodes, commanding general of the Virginia National Guard’s 29th Infantry Division, relinquished command of Task Force Spartan to Maj. Gen. William Blaylock II, commanding general of the Kansas National Guard’s 35th Infantry Division, March 20, 2022, at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait. The transfer of authority ceremony, officiated by Lt. Gen. Ronald Clark, commanding general, U.S. Army Central, signifies the passing of the torch from the 29th to the 35th. During the same ceremony, Command Sgt. Maj. Daryl Plude, 29th ID command sergeant major, relinquished responsibility to Command Sgt. Maj. Steven Stuenkel, 35th ID command sergeant major.

“I’d like to thank the citizens-Soldiers of the 29th ID, your efforts and contributions have made a lasting impact on this region,” said Rhodes. “The blue and gray patch we wear on our left shoulder reflects our proud history and the American flag on our right shoulder represents our dedicated service to our country, our home states and our partner nations.

”During the ceremony, the outgoing division command team cased the unit colors, signifying the end of their tour.

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Maj. Gen. John Rhodes and Command Sgt. Maj Daryl Plude, the 29th Infantry Division command team, case the unit colors during a Transfer of Authority ceremony March 20, 2022, at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait.