Photo By Staff Sgt. Leia Tascarini | Florida National Guard 1st. Lt. Andres Arrubla addresses Soldiers of the 1218th...... read more read more
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1218th Transportation Company conducts change of command ceremony during COVID-19 response
Sgt. Leia Tascarini
107th MPAD
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla.- The 1218th Transportation Company (TC) conducts change of command ceremony during the COVID-19 response.
The 1218th Transportation Company also known as the ‘Transformers’ is comprised of truck drivers as well as other support staff. Their main mission is to operate wheel vehicles and equipment over varied terrain and roadways, transport equipment and supplies, as well as troop movements.
“This ceremony is not about me or the incoming commander, it’s about the Soldiers of the 1218th and their great accomplishments,” said Cpt. Ricky Lenoir, outgoing commander of the 1218th TC headquartered in West Palm Beach. “No matter what the mission is the 1218th is tasked with they will find a way to execute, their culture is that of excellence."
Lenoir relinquished command of the 1218th TC to 1st Lt. Andres Arrubla. Lenoir led the Transformers for the past three years through several challenging missions to include the state’s COVID-19 response efforts, Hurricane Michael and Mobilization Force Generation Installations (MFGI) mission at Camp Shelby, Mississippi. Arrubla assumes command of the 1218th as the unit prepares to head to the southwest border for a support mission.
As part of the 50th Regional Support Group’s COVID-19 response, the 1218th led the way in standing up and operating the first Community Based Testing Site (CBTS) in Florida at C.B. Smith Park. This CBTS has been praised for its performance and have become the model for running CBTS locations across Florida.
“You left your loved ones, your jobs, and put your lives on hold. And here you are today, some 60 plus days into this unprecedented mission, you remain focused on the mission, sacrificing your personal time to assist our fellow citizens to fight the virus,” said Lt. Col. Jeffrey Moore, commander of the 254th Transportation Battalion, during the change of command ceremony. “I cannot be more proud of this company and its accomplishments. You have far exceeded my expectations and I am honored to have served alongside each of you.”
The Florida National Guard has more than 2,400 Guardsmen on duty in support of Florida’s COVID-19 response. Soldiers and Airmen are currently operating 24 Community Based Testing Sites locations, and have administered over 158,000 sample collections to date at those sites. In addition, the Guard is supporting the Florida Department of Health’s screening operations at seven Florida airports.
| Date Taken: | 05.18.2020 |
| Date Posted: | 05.19.2020 07:49 |
| Story ID: | 370239 |
| Location: | FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA, US |
| Web Views: | 834 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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