Photo By Master Sgt. Matthew Keeler | (LEFT TO RIGHT) Brig. Gen. Mark Corson, commanding general of the 103rd Sustainment...... read more read more
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CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE ADDER, Iraq — In a crowded Memorial Hall, March 9 at Contingency Operating Base Adder, Iraq, the 224th Sustainment Brigade, 103rd Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), colors were wrapped up and covered to signify the end of their mission in Iraq during their transfer-of-authority ceremony.
Col. Lisa Costanza, commander of the 224th Sust. Bde., and a Long Beach, Calif., native, and Command Sgt. Maj. Vickie Dunlap-Jones, senior enlisted advisor of the 224th Sus. Bde., and a Sacramento, Calif., native, saluted their flag one last time before they covered it before the eyes of their unit’s soldiers.
When the 224th Sus. Bde. initially arrived in Iraq and cross-trained with the 36th Sus. Bde., the unit they replaced, the mission was a bit different than the one that they are handing over to their replacements.
“When I came in and transferred authority from the other brigade, I had approximately 3,500 soldiers,” said Costanza. “I have less than 1,700 now, and it’s all part of the respon-sible drawdown of forces.”
What made the 224th Sus. Bde. mission more difficult was that they absorbed the sustainment mission for both the southern and central regions of Iraq.
“When I came here on my PDSS [pre-deployment site survey], there was actually two brigades doing the job,” said Costanza. “We have half the resources, and still just as big a mission. So I’m incredibly proud of what my soldiers have done.”
A PDSS is a visit by an incoming commander to see first-hand what his or her unit’s mission and tasks are going to be, said Costanza.
With the current planning and preparations leading to the December 2011 deadline for troops in Iraq, the fact that a single brigade took over for two continues to present chal-lenges.
“Granted that some of our mission has been reduced and we do not need to transport as much fuel or as much food, we still have those same missions,” said Costanza.
Besides the sustainment mission, the 224th Sust. Bde. accomplished other important missions as part of their time in country, said Costanza.
Unlike, the 224th Sus. Bde.’s predecessors, their special troops battalion took over the mission of running the garrison mission, also known as the mayor’s cell, said Costanza.
“The garrison did what is called ‘a partial return,’” said Costanza. “We have the 70th Iraqi Air Force, which just moved onto COB Adder, so Lt. Col. [Nicole] Balliet and her team actually prepared areas for them to move in, and they are living and working right here beside us.”
The 224th Sust. Bde. also helped build a convoy support center, which will become crucial to supporting convoys that transport across southern and central Iraq, said Capt. Philip Thomas, convoy support center officer-in-charge with the 224th Sus. Bde., and a San Diego native.
The 4th Sust. Bde. is the unit replacing the 224th Sust. Bde., and is led by Col. Ron Kirklin, a Killeen, Texas, native, and Command Sgt. Maj. Erik Frey, a Fort Hood, Texas, native. They unveiled their own colors at the TOA ceremony, representing the 4th Sus. Bde.’s assumption of responsibility for the mission.
Unlike Costanza, Kirklin was not given a chance to visit Iraq on a PDSS because they were originally slated for a different mission, said Kirklin.
“Originally, there was a different brigade that was going to be backfilling us [but] they got re-missioned, so Col. Kirklin and his Wrangler team got very short notice that they were coming to Iraq,” said Costanza.
Changing missions requires a great deal of extra work and preparation.
“We were tasked with the theater redistribution mission down in Kuwait, but we received a change of mission,” said Kirklin. “So, we adjusted to that change of mission, we came here, and we are ready to get to work.”
For Kirklin, this will be his third tour in Iraq.
“This [tour] is different, because there is an [end goal], and we are all working toward that goal together,” he said. “I think the soldiers understand that, and the leaders under-stand. And you can see the changes taking place throughout theater, and as I travel around, I can see that… the equipment and personnel is starting to move, and it s a huge difference since last time I was here.
“The 224th is a great organization,” added Kirklin. “They are well led, and well trained. Part of our success for this TOA is because of the conditions that they set before we got here, and for the last two weeks.”
For the soldiers of the 224th Sus, Bde., with their mission coming to a close, it’s time for them to begin to look forward to going home.
“I’m really excited to re-integrate with my family,” said Chief Warrant Officer 2 Sandy Andrade, mobility warrant officer with the 224th Sus. Bde., and a Sacramento, Calif., native. “This is my second combat tour, and every time you go home it’s different.”
Other soldiers are more than a little excited at the prospect of relaxing with their families after a year.
“I’m pretty excited to see my wife, Suzanne, and my son, Nathan,” said 1st Lt. Steve Kim, entry control point OIC with the 224th Sus. Bde., and an Irvine, Calif., native. “I’m honestly looking forward to the internalization of all that has happened in a year, and getting a chance to really relax.”
To the commanders of these brigades, the importance of soldiers going home is not lost to them.
“I’m glad to be going home,” said Costanza. “I’m proud to have served here, because it is an important mission. But, to take my soldiers home to their families is great.”
Costanza added that deployment can sometimes be more difficult on families because of the constant worrying that comes with long separation.
“When we talk about a team, we talk about our families,” said Kirklin. “I would also like to thank the families from the Wrangler brigade, and I would also like to thank the families from the 224th, and…from the entire Army for the sacrifices that they give day in and day out.”
As the sun descended, their colors wrapped, the 224th Sus. Bde. mission at COB Adder has come to close. But the hard work and the dedication they contributed will endure beyond their departure.
“I’m glad my soldiers are going home,” said Costanza. “Like I told them at our going away, ‘Iraq will be a better place, and my soldiers will be better for being here.’”
| Date Taken: | 03.09.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 03.13.2011 06:05 |
| Story ID: | 66962 |
| Location: | CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE ADDER, IQ |
| Web Views: | 267 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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