Photo By Sgt. Edwin Rodriguez | Brig. Gen. Jeffrey N. Colt, deputy commanding general, 18th Airborne Corps, takes a...... read more read more
FORT EUSTIS, Va. - Brig. Gen. Jeffrey N. Colt, deputy commanding general, 18th Airborne Corps, visited the 7th Sustainment Brigade Oct. 3 to ensure the operational readiness of the unit. His purpose was to see the Corps’ Operational Readiness Assessment in action, which is given to units under the command and control of the 18th ABC. He also made sure he was available to meet watercraft, logistical and motor vehicle experts in the brigade.
Colt was greeted by Col. Lawrence Kominiak and Command Sgt. Maj. Tony Escalona, the 7th Sus. Bde. commander and command sergeant major, as the three began their day before the break of dawn.
In the early morning, hundreds of soldiers stood in formation, some stretching while others were mentally focusing, waiting for the start of the brigade run, a test of the unit’s ability to run four miles in under 36 minutes. The run was spear headed by the general.
After the run, Colt explained the purpose of his visit to the “Resolute Warriors” and what is in store for the brigade’s future.
“We value the 7th Sustainment Brigade at Fort Bragg. What I recognize is that you bring special talents to an Army that is trying to transform as we continue to fight for more than 10 years," said Colt.
Later in the morning he met with the 544th Dive Detachment, attaché to the Special Troops Battalion, 7th Sus. Bde., whom has a vital role with the brigade. Sgt. 1st Class Jonathan Larrew, first sergeant of the detachment, gave a tour of the detachment to the DCG explaining the daily aspects of a diver’s life. The standard decompression chamber was one piece of equipment of high importance to an Army diver on display for Colt. The chamber is used to simulate pressures above normal atmospheric pressure to better integrate divers back to normal respiration at sea level.
After a quick lunch break with the brigade staff at the Fort Eustis’ Lakeside Grill, Colt headed to the Fort Eustis Simulation Center. He visited virtual battle space simulators focusing on convoy operations, Improvised Explosion Devices, and watercraft. Colt also received hands on training with the Atlas forklift and Kalmar simulators. The simulators are used by Active Duty, Reserve, and National Guard soldiers for the purpose of yearly training and for pending deployments.
Capping of his visit was the tour of 3rd Port, the heart of the watercraft field. There he received detailed explanations of the capabilities of Army vessels, past and present missions, and the histories of various watercraft. He also toured a Logistics Support Vessel, Landing Craft Utility vessel, a mobile harbormaster unit with radar equipment, and the causeway company. While on board the Army Logistics Support Vessel-4, Gen. William B. Bunker, he stopped to show his gratitude to soldiers of the 1099th Transportation Company, 10th Transportation Battalion, highlighting their importance to the corps.
“I am not sure how you chose to work on grey vessel wearing Army Combat Uniforms but I am grateful you are. I think there is something to this specialization…doing something so unique to the Army,” said Colt. “In the future we may really depend on you.”
He ended his tour by visiting soldiers of the 331st Causeway, 11th Transportation Battalion to learn about the ins and outs of port operations from Capt. Christina Shelton, 331st company commander. Upon his return to Fort Bragg, he is sure to explain the importance of the 7th Sus. Bde. to Lt. Gen. Daniel B. Allyn, commanding general of the 18th ABC.
Afterwards, Kominiak shared his appreciation for Colt’s visit.
“From the whole team of the 7th Sustainment Brigade, we want to thank General Colt for his visit to the brigade. We hope we showed the 18th Airborne Corps the high standards this brigade places for itself.”
| Date Taken: | 10.03.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 10.12.2012 08:37 |
| Story ID: | 96052 |
| Location: | FORT EUSTIS, VIRGINIA, US |
| Web Views: | 187 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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