419th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion Assumes Responsibilities of 165th CSSB

Photo By Pfc. Michael Syner | Lt. Col. Kristan L.K. Hericks and Perris, Calif., native Command Sgt. Maj. Paul C. Swanson, the senior leaders of the 419th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 10th Sustainment Brigade, uncase the battalion colors for the first time in Iraq, officially marking their assumption of authority, Dec. 18.  

TAJI, IRAQ

12.28.2008

Story by Pfc. Michael Syner 

3rd Expeditionary Sustainment Command

By Pfc. Michael Syner
10th Sustainment Brigade

CAMP TAJI, Iraq - The Soldiers of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 419th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 10th Sustainment Brigade officially claimed authority for their mission from the headquarters element of the 165th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 10th Sustainment Brigade during a ceremony held, Dec. 18.

The Transfer of Authority ceremony is the final step, and clear symbol of the actual changing of unit authority.

This is the 419th's first deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, though many of the Soldiers assigned to the unit have deployed several times, said Lt. Col. Kristan L.K. Hericks, the commander of the 419th and Irvine, Calif., native. Hericks has been in command of the CSSB for nearly two years.

"Wolfpack," said Hericks, addressing the 419th, "your extended preparations, challenging training and steady commitment to the Army's goals and ideals over the last year will at long last be put to full employment as we now assume command and control of this professional organization and crucial mission. Thank you for your continued efforts, and your sacrifices, motivation and dedication to the mission and each other."

The 419th will be deployed in Iraq for roughly nine months.

"Our mission is to provide distribution oversight for logistics services," Hericks said. "We are very enthusiastic about the opportunity to participate in this mission."

"Soldiers of the Chariot Battalion, welcome to the 10th Sustainment Brigade and the Muleskinner team," said Col. Mark E. Drake, St. Paul, Minn. native, and the commander of the 10th Sustainment Bde. "I know your team has prepared and trained very hard for this mission and are ready for the challenges that await you."

The outgoing commander, Alexandria, La. native, Lt. Col. Randall "Beau" Bradford gave his remarks immediately following the casing. "This has been a time of great transition, and our Soldiers have met every single one of the many challenges they faced."

"My Soldiers did well," said Capt. Jason B. Kendall, the 165th HHC commander, and Bossier City, La. native. "We can walk away with a real feeling of accomplishment."

The 165th activated on January 3, 2007, and officially accepted authority for their mission from the 1103rd Combat Sustainment Support Battalion in April 2007.

"The 165th CSSB command group and staff's dedication and devotion to duty during their tour of duty in Taji were evidenced by their accomplishment of a wide variety of operational commitments and missions," said Hericks.

"We [have] got all the tools we need to accomplish the mission," said Irvine, Calif. native Pfc. Chris M. Sonnenburg, a signal Soldier with the 419th. "The 165th gave us good training. With that, we'll be able to give the detachment commanders what they need to finish their missions."

• Date Taken: 12.28.2008
• Date Posted: 12.28.2008 09:12
• Story ID: 28214
• Location: TAJI, IQ