ROCK ISLAND ARSENAL, Ill. — Let’s give a round of applause to the 403rd Army Field Support Brigade.
Based at Camp Henry in Daegu, South Korea, the 403rd AFSB was recognized by American Forces Network-Daegu as their featured unit for the week of February 10-14.
This initiative included live presentations by 403rd personnel on AFN radio and video showcases highlighting the brigade’s diverse missions and workforce.
“The Unit Spotlight Series aims to dedicate a week to focus on a specific unit,” explained Sgt. 1st Class Rob Fraizer, AFN-Daegu station manager. “Our goals include showcasing how lower-level teams are implementing senior commander directives. We utilize various methods to achieve this, combining radio interviews, on-air promotions, and comprehensive stories across AFN TV and social media platforms to share the successes of the unit with audiences in the peninsula and throughout the Indo-Pacific Region.”
The event started on Monday with a segment hosted by Chaplain (Maj.) Carl Brown, U.S. Army Garrison-Daegu’s deputy garrison chaplain. The topic was “Leadership and Mentoring,” featuring notable guests Col. Wheeler Manning, the brigade commander, and Command Sgt. Maj. John Ruiz. Manning elaborated on his leadership philosophy and the brigade’s extensive missions, stressing its support for Soldiers and the surrounding community.
“As one of seven Army Field Support Brigades in the Army, our base is here in South Korea, but our operations extend across Korea and into Japan,” Manning stated. “Daily, we engage in numerous activities that impact both Soldiers and the local community. For instance, the transportation buses taking our children to school are provided by the 403rd, as well as the Organization Clothing and Individual Equipment (OCIE) that Soldiers use.”
The 403rd also plays a significant role in providing essential support to personnel on the peninsula and beyond. Manning added, “We handle a variety of tasks, including managing dining facilities, a Quartermaster Laundry that services the hospital and clinics, and the Passport Office for both leisure and official travel needs. Our scope of support at the installation level is extensive.”
The “403rd AFSB Week” on AFN-Daegu continued with a live show featuring guest DJs from the brigade. Master Sgt. Melisha Wilson (DJ Willie Will) and Sgt. Daisy Bailey (DJ Daisy) not only curated the music but also discussed their careers and experiences in Korea while highlighting the organization’s mission and its support for personnel.
The week also showcased videos illustrating the brigade’s unique mission and personnel in various roles, which were shared on AFN-Daegu’s Facebook and YouTube pages, as well as those of the 403rd AFSB, USAG-Daegu, and Army Sustainment Command.
“It was wonderful to see our people displaying their talents,” said Capt. Rosalba Chavez Newman, the brigade’s logistics operations officer and public affairs representative, who played a key role in organizing the effort. “The engagement by AFN to tell our story with such depth was exceptional. This project was a great success.”
AFN has been spotlighting units since late 2019. “It’s always a pleasure to highlight the contributions of the entire team through a comprehensive promotional campaign,” Fraizer remarked. “Since we began this initiative, we’ve noticed a significant improvement in morale among units, who appreciate the personalized attention given to showcasing their achievements and impact in Area IV.”
