Courtesy Photo | Lt. Col. Christopher S. Houston and Command Sgt. Maj. Joseph L. Legra approach the...... read more read more
By: Sgt. Jessica Figueroa
CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE SPEICHER, Iraq – Soldiers of the 275th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion from Fort Lee, Va., filed out of a cargo aircraft just before dawn into a convoy of waiting buses. They were greeted warmly, despite the early morning hour, by soldiers of the 394th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion of Fremont, Neb. Their arrival meant one important thing: the soldiers with the 394th CSSB, 77th Sustainment Brigade, 310th Expeditionary Sustainment Command, would soon get to go home after a successful deployment serving in both Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation New Dawn.
After completing introductions, soldiers rolled up their sleeves in preparation for a compacted relief in place and transfer of authority process. Now, the 275th CSSB prepares to be the last unit of its kind in northern Iraq. Supporting the entire northern area of operation is a daunting task, but with a successful RIP/TOA process, the soldiers feel confident about the responsibility.
“Our counterparts from the 394th trained us very well,” said Spc. Kristen Cannon, an intelligence analyst with the 275th CSSB and a native of Ashland, Va.“They taught us about the daily process of operations here and, most importantly, a broad picture of what we can expect.”
Other members in the unit echoed similar praise.
“The knowledge given and experience shared with my staff will help each step of the way,” said Lt. Col. Christopher S. Houston, the battalion commander for the 275th CSSB and a native of Providence, R.I. “The 394th CSSB has earned the right to go home and has earned the praise and honor [they] will get upon their return.”
A successful RIP/TOA process relies on good communication between outgoing and incoming units. During the ten-day event, each staff section was filled with soldiers asking questions and taking notes.
The soldiers of the 275th CSSB were eager to get a head start, beginning with a two-week command team visit in November 2010.
They also held several video conferences while in the United States and communicated with counterparts for months in advance.
“The two-week visit set the command team up for the big picture,” said Lt. Col. John Holzapfel, battalion commander of the 394th CSSB and a native of Omaha, Neb. “Lt. Col. Houston and his staff were engaged, asking for products, being active – like sponges for information.”
The culmination of the RIP/TOA process came with the official transfer of authority ceremony, held April 22. The ceremony would be the 394th CSSB’s last act before transferring power to the 275th CSSB.
“It’s been long and hard, but in the end it was worth it,” said Spc. Paul Embree, an intelligence analyst with the 394th CSSB and a native of Fremont, Neb. “While I was here, I bonded with many people, which was nice, but I’m ready to go home.”
The hard work and determination shown by the soldiers of the 275th CSSB during their pre-mobilization and now the RIP/TOA only hints at their readiness to get started.
“The 275th has taken the baton, and with this successful transition, we will continue to sprint to the finish line,” Houston said.
| Date Taken: | 05.09.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 05.15.2011 03:26 |
| Story ID: | 70397 |
| Location: | CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE SPEICHER, IQ |
| Web Views: | 88 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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