Photo By Maj. Andrew Adcock | U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Timothy McHale, U.S. Forces Afghanistan deputy commander –...... read more read more
KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan - In a crowded tent, July 25, at Kandahar Airfield, the Mississippi Army National Guard’s 184th Expeditionary Sustainment Command’s colors were cased to signify the end of their mission in Afghanistan during a transfer of authority ceremony.
Brig. Gen. Philip R. Fisher, commander of the 184th ESC, and a native of Clinton, Miss., and Command Sgt. Maj. Jeffrey L. Riggs, whose hometown is Vicksburg, Miss., saluted their command’s colors one last time before they cased it before the eyes of their unit’s soldiers.
The 184th ESC directed sustainment operations in Afghanistan for all U.S. and coalition forces. The unit served as the headquarters for Joint Sustainment Command-Afghanistan and was responsible for managing and directing the flow of equipment, supplies and personnel resources for more than 100,000 service members and civilians.
“I’m extremely proud of these soldiers and the work they’ve accomplished. They have been part of an unprecedented moment in both our nation’s history and the history of military logistics. Their sacrifices and performance were critical to the accomplishment of our mission and contributing to a sovereign, stable and safer Afghanistan. As a result of their hard work, the sustainment foundation has been laid for the surge recovery of 33,000 troops as outlined by the president,” said Fisher.
Upon assuming responsibility of Joint Sustainment Command-Afghanistan on October 17, 2010, the 184th ESC had more soldiers placed under its headquarters than any unit ever deployed overseas from the state of Mississippi.
“This is the largest command ever led by a Mississippian and a Mississippi unit,” said U.S. Army Col. John M. Prine, 184th ESC deputy commander and native of Hattiesburg, Miss.
The joint sustainment command consisted of more than 43,000 soldiers, Marines, airmen, sailors and civilians that transformed the way logistical support was delivered throughout the country.
The 184th ESC orchestrated and controlled all sustainment operations through the air, on the ground, and by sea. The logistics mission included the delivery of more than 413.3 million gallons of fuel, 25.9 million pounds of ammunition, 42.7 million pounds of mail and more than 109.5 million meals.
The 184th ESC, more than 250 soldiers strong, is concluding a mobilization and deployment that began in August 2010, at Fort Hood, Texas. While the majority of the unit members are from the state of Mississippi, 20 of the soldiers will be returning to their respective homes in Alabama, Arizona, Delaware, Louisiana, South Carolina, Texas, and Virginia.
With their mission coming to a close, the soldiers are looking forward to going home.
“I’m really excited to return home to my family,” said Chief Warrant Officer 4 Bobby Wayne Tanksley, supply and services warrant officer and a Wesson, Miss., native. “This is my second combat tour, and every time you go home, it’s better.”
“I am ready to reunite with my son, family and friends,” said Sgt. Kenya Clark, ammunition sergeant, whose hometown is McComb, Miss. “I am ready to see that smile on my son’s face and hear him say, ‘Mommy’! My son and I have never been apart this long ever, so seeing my seven-year old son, McKale, will be a joy to my heart.”
Other soldiers offered life lessons learned over the course of the deployment and put the experience in context.
“I learned a great deal about logistics during the past year, but the greatest lesson I learned was about perspective. Having served in Afghanistan for the past year, I have a greater appreciation for my family and all the little things that make life worthwhile,” said Capt. Kelly Carey, operational contract officer and native of Seaford, Del. “I walk away from this experience with a renewed determination to live, love and learn as best as I can each and every day and to make each day matter!”
Soldiers of the 184th ESC will soon begin preparations to return to their friends and families back in the states.
The following are soldiers from Mississippi and the counties they are from:
Attala – Master Sgt. Danny Plunkett, Chief Warrant Officer 4 John Taylor; Bolivar – Spc. James Morris; Calhoun – Master Sgt. Marshall Coleman; Clarke – Staff Sgt. Byron Clark; Copiah – Chief Warrant Officer 4 Bobby Tanksley; Covington – Lt. Col. Edward Coutta, Sgt. 1st Class Timothy Moore, Staff Sgt. Sondra Price, Chief Warrant Officer 3 Robert Smith; Desoto - Sgt. 1st Class James Jones; Forrest – Maj. Daniel Beeson, Spc. Christopher Bell, Sgt. Willie Billips, Staff Sgt. Daniel Brown, Sgt. Charles Bullock, Sgt. Joshua Bullock, Sgt. 1st Class Harry Carnes, Sgt. Maj. Dewitt Carney, Sgt. 1st Class Kim Carter, Maj. Gregory Cato, Chief Warrant Officer 2 Phillip Cliburn, Master Sgt. Stanley Coats, Maj. Gary Crist, Staff Sgt. John Critz, Spc. Ashley Crotwell, Staff Sgt. Curtis Davis, Lt. Col. James Drago, Capt. David Duckworth, Spc. Kaya Durr, Sgt. Maj. Joseph Elder, Spc. Jonathan Evans, Staff Sgt. Joshua Fernandez, Chief Warrant Officer 2 Henry Gallant, Staff Sgt. Torrence Green, Lt. Col. Beverly Hartfield, Staff Sgt. Kenny Hatten, Sgt. Maj. William Hatten, Sgt. James Hauptmann, Staff Sgt. James Hutcherson, Sgt. Stephanie Jarrett, Chief Warrant Officer 5 Martin Jones, Chief Warrant Officer 3 Terence Lowery, Sgt. 1st Class Michael Lyon, Lt. Col. Randall Mantooth, Sgt. 1st Class Timothy Mayfield, Sgt. 1st Class Rodney McDonald, Sgt. Jocelyn McLeggon, Staff Sgt. David Nelson, Sgt. Tamara Nelson, Maj. David Oglesby, Master Sgt. Bobby Patrick, Master Sgt. John Pickett, Maj. Todd Pohnert, Sgt. 1st Class Hope Poole, Col. Mark Prine, Warrant Officer John Ratliff, Sgt. Stacy Ratliff, Staff Sgt. Edwin Rogers, Chief Warrant Officer 2 David Ruffin, Sgt. 1st Class Michael Ryals, Maj. Danny Scanlon, Staff Sgt. Steven Shattles, Staff Sgt. Cheryl Spencer, Spc. Shannon Tarver, Staff Sgt. September Wallace, Sgt. James Walton, Lt. Col. David Williams, Lt. Col. Mathyn Williams, Spc. Robert Wilson, Maj. Ailrick Young, Sgt. 1st Class Jonathan Golden, Maj. William Smith; George – Warrant Officer John Cochran; Grenada – Maj. William Harlow, Warrant Officer Milisante Jones, Col. Samuel Massey; Harrison – Capt. William Austin, Sgt. Billy Barnes, Spc. Andre Brown, Sgt. 1st Class Eric Deitrick, Maj. William Dreher, 1st Lt. Jonathan Harvey, Spc. Robert Malone, Chief Warrant Officer 2 Jonathan Pace, Sgt. 1st Class George Scanlin; Hinds – Maj. Richard Bennett, Sgt. 1st Class Kevin Burr, Maj. Laketter Cannon, 1st Lt. Hermon Cotton, Brig. Gen. Philip Fisher, Sgt. 1st Class Thomas Goodwin, Sgt. 1st Class Mark Graves, Sgt. David Grayson, 1st Lt. Rodney Hall, Chief Warrant Officer 2 David Hardigree, Lt. Col. David Jolly, Sgt. Maj. Aaron Martin, Lt. Col. Craig Thompson, Sgt. 1st Class Reginald Thompson, Lt. Col. Edward Waller, Maj. Robert Watras; Holmes – Staff Sgt. Stephanie Atkins; Jackson – Capt. Tawaski Carter, Lt. Col. Harry Gunter, Spc. Candace Jones, Sgt. Mary McSwain, Lt. Col. Nickie Overby, Lt. Col. Jeffrey Ryan; Jasper – Sgt. Benjamen Campbell, Spc. Glenn Caylor, Sgt. Crystal Mayers, Spc. Terrance McGill; Jones – Maj. Robert Bartran, Sgt. Brian Blanton, Spc. Douglas Cooley, Sgt. Wade Eason, Lt. Col. James Harrison, Spc. Shantel Jones, Spc. Tanya Jones, Staff Sgt. Randall Lowe, 1st Sgt. Olan Manning, Sgt. 1st Class Franklin McLelland, Staff Sgt. Joby Moss, Master Sgt. Percy Neal, Sgt. 1st Class James Parish, Sgt. Joshua Satcher, Sgt. 1st Class Delton Smith, Sgt. 1st Class Rosie Sorrells, Sgt. 1st Class Brian Speagle, Maj. Craig Sumrall, Sgt. James Thomas, Sgt. Carl Thrash, Spc. Jerrika Turner, Sgt. 1st Class James Wilkins, Sgt. 1st Class Marvin Windham; Lafayette – Lt. Col. Cheryl Anderson; Lamar – Chief Warrant Officer 2 William Bowman, Staff Sgt. Michael Crowe, Sgt. 1st Class Lee Davis, Sgt. Jason Frazure, Chief Warrant Officer 3 Willie Guthrie, Master Sgt. Carroll Mooney, Sgt. Stillman Pate, Spc. Henry Rapp, Staff Sgt. Brandi Simmons; Lauderdale – 1st Lt. Jesse Hill, Master Sgt. Jacqueline McDonald, Maj. Dexter Thornton; Lawrence – Sgt. 1st Class Torrance Thomas; Lee – Staff Sgt. Charles Copeland, Lt. Col. Gregory Estes; Lincoln – Maj. Rollin Roberts, Col. Craig Weaver; Madison – Capt. Andrew Adcock, Lt. Col. Lawrence Austin, Lt. Col. Kevin Bullard, Capt. Jared Mathews, Chief Warrant Officer 2 Jerry Myrick, 1st Lt. Phillip Patrick, 1st Lt. Bryan Rushing, Sgt. 1st Class Bradley Wilkins, Sgt. 1st Class Jeffery Winstead; Marion – Staff Sgt. Cecilia Russell; Monroe – Spc. Tony Shackleford; Neshoba – Master Sgt. Gary Akins, Lt. Col. Thomas Booker, Maj. James Davis, Lt. Col. James Payne, Lt. Col. William Reese; Newton – Chief Warrant Officer 2 John Kyzar; Oktibbeha – Maj. Juan Corrigan; Pearl River – Chief Warrant Officer 4 John Cowart; Perry – Maj. Gregory Dearman, Sgt. Phillip Freeman; Pike – Spc. Kenya Clark; Pontotoc – Sgt. 1st Class William Davis, Sgt. 1st Class Robert Stone; Quitman – Sgt. Lamarcus Anderson; Rankin – Maj. Bridget Armstrong, Maj. Scotty Carpenter, Lt. Col. William Causey, Lt. Col. Milton Griffith, 1st Lt. Anthony Harrell, Sgt. 1st Class Tammy McLendon, Maj. James Mills, Maj. Nicholas Morgus, Chief Warrant Officer 2 Brian Morris, Lt. Col. Millard Reedy, Master Sgt. Joshua Robinson, Chief Warrant Officer 4 David Thomas, Lt. Col. Myron Vanlandingham, Col. Clint Walker, Sgt. Maj. Stanley Williams; Scott – Chief Warrant Officer 3 Jerry Crain; Simpson – Master Sgt. Christopher Berry, Master Sgt. Michael Lee, Chief Warrant Officer 4 David McWilliams; Smith – Sgt. 1st Class Jackie Blakeney, Master Sgt. Earnest Burton, Maj. Billy Hardin, Staff Sgt. Paul Hughes, Sgt. 1st Class Dennis Page; Stone – Maj. Rodney Hodge, Lt. Col. Fintan Kilmurray; Sunflower – Sgt. 1st Class Sylvester Clark; Union – Capt. Gerald Hodges; Warren – Col. Richard Martin, Command Sgt. Maj. Jeffrey Riggs; Washington – 1st Lt. Edmeisha McGill; Wayne – Master Sgt. Gray Purvis, Sgt. 1st Class Deangelis Taylor; Webster – Master Sgt. Michael Box; Winston – Staff Sgt. Contarus Carter, Sgt. Maj. John Thomas; Yazoo – Spc. Timothy Howard.
The following are soldiers from other states and their respective hometowns:
Capt. Harold Coons, Bay Minette, Ala.; Sgt. 1st Class Michael Hiznay, Phenix City, Ala.; Lt. Col. Lourie Formby, Adamsville, Ala.; Spc. Ashley Macon, Birmingham, Ala.; Maj. Cindy Martin, Huntsville, Ala.; Sgt. 1st Class Patricia Howard, Huntsville, Ala.; Sgt. 1st Class Mark Lemsky, Oak Grove, Ala.; Staff Sgt. Encarnacion Cardona, Queen Creek, Ariz.; Sgt. 1st Class John Beers, Laurel, Del.; Capt. Kelly Carey, Seaford, Del.; Col. Ruth Irwin, Bear, Del.; Sgt. Maj. Dennis Lindgren, Newark, Del.; Lt. Col. Vincent Orlando, Milford, Del.; 1st Lt. Tribhuwan Singh, Millsboro, Del.; Master Sgt. Willie Smith, Baton Rouge, La.; Sgt. Nehemiah Taylor, Bogalusa, La.; Capt. Myranda Lindsey, Sumter, S.C.; Spc. Romel Gibbs, Houston, Texas; Maj. John Pendergrass, Alexandria, Va.; Capt. Correy Smith, Waynesboro, Va.
The 184th ESC is being replaced by the 4th ESC, an Army Reserve unit based out of San Antonio, Texas. The 4th ESC is led by Brig. Gen. Les J. Carroll, a native of Covington, Ga., and Command Sgt. Maj. Travis W. Williams, whose hometown is Amarillo, Texas.
| Date Taken: | 07.25.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 07.25.2011 04:16 |
| Story ID: | 74258 |
| Location: | KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, AF |
| Web Views: | 4,540 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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