KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – The 553rd Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, Task Force Gunslingers, completed their transfer of authority with the 142nd CSSB, Task Force Mavericks Aug. 7 here.
The 553rd CSSB prepared for this mission by training on tasks they would conduct in theater. They trained at the National Training Center at Fort Irwin, California. While there, the 553rd CSSB performed sustainment and retrograde operations for the 3rd Cavalry Regiment.
Lt. Col. Edward A. Ivey, 142nd CSSB commander, transferred authority of sustainment operations within Regional Command-South to Lt. Col. Kenneth W. Letcher, 553rd CSSB commander.
The Gunslingers will take over the transition of Operation Enduring Freedom’s final phase as their mission changes and Afghanistan enters into Operation Resolute Support. With this new mission, the 553rd CSSB will not only sustain the combat capabilities of RC-South, they will plan and execute retrograde operations by closing down or transferring forward operating bases and downsizing the foot print of southern Afghanistan as they transition from a CSSB to a forward logistics base.
The 553rd CSSB will work to ensure the Soldiers and civilians in the area of operations are properly supplied and equipped to maintain Soldier and unit strength, enabling strategic and operational reach and providing Army forces with the endurance for mission success.
The significance of their mission is not lost upon the Gunslingers as they prepare to write the next chapter of logistics operations in Afghanistan.
“We took the first step in our battalion’s history as we assumed mission command of sustainment in Regional Command-South, Southwest, and West,” said Letcher.
“We are serving our nation in Afghanistan at a critical time, logistically, as we support the United States’ aims to transition its mission after 12 years of continued conflict here. The Soldiers of the Gunslinger logistics task force are ready and able to face the crucible of transition as we lead Soldiers, Marines and airmen in a joint, multicomponent effort to spearhead this logistics transition.”
| Date Taken: | 08.26.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 08.27.2014 02:19 |
| Story ID: | 140470 |
| Location: | KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, AF |
| Web Views: | 442 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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