Task Force Sword sheathes colors

Photo By Staff Sgt. Michael Selvage | Col. Willie Rios III, commander of the 10th Sustainment Brigade, recounts the accomplishments of the 548th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion during his speech at the battalions color casing ceremony at Camp Marmal, Afghanistan. Oct. 2. Task Force Sword instituted a convoy escort team academy to ensure all Soldiers maintain discipline while conducting convoy operations. They executed more than 50 CET missions, providing crucial support in the closures of five forward operating bases and camps. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Michael K. Selvage, 10th Sustainment Brigade Public Affairs NCO)(Released)  

CAMP MARMAL, AFGHANISTAN

10.03.2014

Story by Staff Sgt. Michael Selvage 

10th Mountain Division Sustainment Brigade Public Affairs Office

CAMP MARMAL, Afghanistan – The 548th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, Task Force Sword, held a color casing ceremony to recognize the battalion’s mission completion Oct. 1.

In the past seven months, TF Sword successfully supported sustainment and retrograde operations throughout Regional Command-North and RC-West to establish conditions for the transition to Operation Resolute Support.

TF Sword instituted a convoy escort team academy to ensure all Soldiers maintain discipline while conducting convoy operations. They executed more than 50 CET missions, providing crucial support in the closures of five forward operating bases and camps.

During their final deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, TF Sword issued and received more than 35 million gallons of fuel and issued more than 890,000 cases of bottled water. The battalion responsibly retrograded approximately 48 million pieces of military equipment back into the Army supply system.

Col. Willie Rios III, commander of the 10th Sustainment Brigade praised the master logisticians of TF Sword for their accomplishments.

“You should feel good about your efforts as part of this mission,” said Rios. “You’re a part of history. You enabled the country of Afghanistan to elect their first president, and we witnessed their first inauguration.”

The 548th CSSB also set the conditions to close the supply support activity and establish one of the first forward issue and turn-in point in theater.

Lt. Col. Jim Turner, commander of the 548th CSSB, highlighted a list of accomplishments including the maintenance support provided for coalition forces.

“We would like to thank our coalition partners who we’ve worked hand-in-hand with to solve complex problems and developed innovative ways to work as a team here in Afghanistan,” said Turner. “I hope our relationships established will continue to be a framework for us to follow in the future as we continue to serve together.”

TF Sword will return to their home station at Fort Drum, New York.

Rios wished the Soldiers of TF Sword safe travels and reminded them that he will see them again as soon as the brigade redeploys home.

• Date Taken: 10.03.2014
• Date Posted: 10.05.2014 09:55
• Story ID: 144328
• Location: CAMP MARMAL, AF