Fort Bragg Soldiers take logistics reins at Speicher

Courtesy Photo | Lt. Col. Shane Debusk, commander, 264th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, and Command Sgt. Maj. Melvin Rutledge, command sergeant major, 264th CSSB, render honors to the colors during a transfer of authority ceremony at Contingency Operating Base Speicher May 25. The 264th CSSB, based out of Ft. Bragg, N.C., took over logistics responsibilities from the 391st Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 16th Sustainment Brigade. The 391st CSSB, based out of Bamberg, Germany, wrapped up a 15-month deployment to Iraq. Battalion convoys traveled 2,159,347 miles, completing 1,200 missions, and the 391st conducted 15 humanitarian missions designed to improve relations between Iraqi citizens and coalition forces around Tikrit.  

TIKRIT, IRAQ

06.08.2009

Courtesy Story

16th Sustainment Brigade

CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE SPEICHER, Iraq — Soldiers from the 264th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, commanded by Lt. Col. Steven S. Debusk, officially took the reins from the 391st Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, commanded by Lt. Col. Ronald E. Pacheco, during a transfer of authority ceremony here May 25.

Based out of Fort Bragg, N.C., the 264th CSSB is now a subordinate unit of the 16th Sustainment Brigade, which is headquartered at Bamberg, Germany. During the ceremony, Debusk outlined his battalion's purpose for the next 12 months.

"Our mission over the next year will be monumental," Debusk said. "While the timing is
somewhat indefinite at this point it is clear to me that we will play a pivotal role in the strategic repositioning of coalition forces over the next 12 months."

Debusk noted that in order to accomplish this mission, the battalion's Soldiers must be "forward leaning, agile and innovative in our thinking, always keeping the end state in mind. We must be comfortable with uncertainty and capable of bringing order to chaos."

Debusk told his Soldiers to stay focused and concentrate on the mission and core skill sets.

"For you at the company level, discipline, adherence to standards and maintenance of basic Soldier skills will be the signature characteristics that will define success," he said.

He asked battalion Soldiers to raise the bar and to double their vigilance and dedication as professional Soldiers. He also encouraged leadership to guard against complacency, saying that "complacency might be our greatest threat."

Before finishing his speech, Debusk applauded what Pacheco and his Soldiers had
accomplished while deployed.

"You have done your duty well and can depart in good conscience knowing that these Soldiers will be cared for and we will continue to run the ball down the field," said Debusk.

During its 15-month combat tour, the 391st CSSB participated in more than 12 non-lethal engagements at 15 locations, oversaw the construction of a $17 million Class III (fuel) steel-bolted tank fuel farm, and started construction on the Class I (food) climate-controlled facility. The 391st CSSB also shipped 27,165 pallets, 2,773 containers and 6,784 materials; and battalion convoys traveled 2,159,347 miles, completing 1,200 missions.

The transfer of authority ceremony was held on Memorial Day, a time that commemorates those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. Debusk expressed the importance in not forgetting those past warriors who came before us.

"We owe it to them, we owe it to each other, and we owe it to our families to maintain an offensive mindset," he said. "I'd ask that you redouble your vigilance and dedication as professional Soldiers."

The 264th CSSB looks forward to the challenges ahead and is poised to embark on this monumental time in history as Coalition forces begin the drawdown process, said Debusk.

• Date Taken: 06.08.2009
• Date Posted: 06.08.2009 09:29
• Story ID: 34709
• Location: TIKRIT, IQ