Washington, DC—August 1, 2023…Congressman Steve Womack (AR-3), a member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, joined a bipartisan congressional delegation (CODEL) to Gibraltar and Germany. Part of the trip featured a visit to Grafenwoehr Training Area to meet with the leadership and members of the Arkansas National Guard’s 39th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (IBCT), a unit Womack served in during his tenure in the National Guard.

Womack with Arkansas National Guard’s 39th Infantry Brigade Combat Team.

Congressman Steve Womack said, "Being on the ground allows us to get an operational and tactical understanding of threats abroad and brings us greater perspective to how we can further America's security interests through our work in Congress. I was particularly honored to spend time with fellow Arkansas Guardsmen—including one of my former Gunslingers, the Commander of the 39th IBCT, Colonel Chad Bridges—who are training our Ukrainian partners. I'm glad my friend Gen. Darryl Williams, Commanding General U.S. Army Europe-Africa, joined our visit and witnessed the hard work and professionalism displayed by the 39th IBCT. These men and women are making Arkansas proud."

Womack, left to right, pictured with 39^th IBCT and Task Force Bowie Command Sergeant Major CSM Patrick Holthusen,  39^th IBCT and Task Force Bowie Commander Colonel Chad Bridges, and U.S. Army Europe-Africa Commanding General Darryl Williams.

More than 150 soldiers from the Arkansas Army National Guard’s 39th IBCT are currently deployed to advise and train members of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Their mission is vital to help deter further aggression in Europe.

Womack serving in Sinai, Egypt.

Womack retired from the Arkansas Army National Guard in 2009 at the rank of Colonel with over 30 years of service. He deployed his battalion, the 2^nd Battalion of the 153^rd Infantry Regiment (the Gunslingers) to Sinai, Egypt, in 2002. This deployment marked the first time a National Guard unit performed the mission of the Multinational Force and Observers. Womack’s Task Force received accolades from the highest levels of military and civilian leaders.

Congressman Steve Womack (AR-3) has represented Arkansas’s Third Congressional District since 2011. He is a member of the House Appropriations Committee.

womack.house.gov

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