1st Maintenance Battalion takes the reins

Photo By Cpl. Tyler Barstow | Sgt. Maj. John Armstead, sergeant major for 1st Maintenance Battalion (-) (Reinforced), 1st Marine Logistics Group and the commanding officer, Lt. Col. Mark M. Walter, unfurl their colors during the transfer of authority ceremony at Camp Taqaddum, Iraq, on Sept. 9, 2008. 1st Maint. Bn. (-) (Rein.) replaced 1st Supply Bn. (-) (Rein.), who has worked with the 1st MLG for the last seven months.  

AL TAQADDUM, IRAQ

10.04.2008

Story by Cpl. Tyler Barstow 

1st Marine Logistics Group

By Tyler B. Barstow
1st Marine Logistics Group

CAMP TAQADDUM, Iraq – 1st Supply Battalion (-) (Reinforced), 1st Marine Logistics Group, relinquished authority to 1st Maintenance Bn. (-) (Rein.), 1st MLG, during a ceremony here on Sept. 9, 2008.

Maj. Stephen L. Newsome, the commanding officer for 1st Supply Bn. (-) (Rein.) reflected on his unit's accomplishments and the pride he felt working with the Marines and Sailors of his battalion.

"[Our accomplishments] were earned by the hard work and dedication of all of our Marines and Sailors and they know that they contributed to our success," he said.

Newsome was replaced by Lt. Col. Mark M. Walter, the commanding officer for 1st Maint. Bn. (-) (Rein.).

"I know they're eager and ready to take over, and I'm sure they're ready to take the bar higher," Newsome said.

"No commanding general could be prouder," said Brig. Gen. Robert R. Ruark, commanding general of 1st MLG about his two highly capable units.

Throughout their deployment, 1st Supply Bn. (-) (Rein.) conducted 250 combat logistics patrols while delivering more than 175,000 pounds of equipment and supplies to service members in the area of operations.

"We're eager and look forward to working with the 1st MLG and [Multi-National Forces - West] as we achieve victory through logistics," said Walter, 42, from Norwalk, Ohio.

They're facing their deployment head-on, looking forward to an eventful seven months in the ever-changing Iraq.

"I'm proud to represent the Marines and Sailors of Maintenance Battalion and it's a great responsibility to provide general support and logistics to MNF-W during this historic time," Walter said.

"I'm confident they are ready to meet their challenge," Ruark said.

• Date Taken: 10.04.2008
• Date Posted: 10.04.2008 19:47
• Story ID: 24520
• Location: AL TAQADDUM, IQ