140th Chemical Company assumes command

Photo By Sgt. Maj. Shelia Fourman | The command team of the 140th Chemical Company, California National Guard, uncases it’s colors during a transfer of authority from the 1st Battalion, 34th Infantry Division, Brigade Special Troops Battalion, Minnesota Army National Guard here April 19. The 1-34th BSTB took command in August 2012. Their assigned mission was to maintain and improve the living conditions for soldiers who transitioned from Iraq through the Zone Six living quarters. Under the banner of Third Army, the 140th Chemical Company will shape the future by continuing the mission left by the 1-34th BSTB to ensure the operational security of transitioning soldier’s who will use Camp Arifjan’s Zone Six facilities.  

CAMP ARIFJAN, KUWAIT

04.19.2012

Story by Staff Sgt. Shelia Fourman 

13th Public Affairs Detachment

CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait – The 140th Chemical Company, California National Guard, assumed command of Camp Arifjan’s Zone Six Camp Command Cell during a transfer of authority from the 1st Battalion, 34th Infantry Division, Brigade Special Troops Battalion, Minnesota Army National Guard here, April 19.

“Today marks the completion of the CCC for the 1-34th BSTB,” stated Lt. Col. Gary Mundfrom, commander, 1-34th BSTB, and Spring Valley, Minn. native, during his speech to the two units and guests. “First and foremost I want to thank the soldiers and leaders of the 1-34th BSTB that stand before me today.”

The 1-34th BSTB took command of the CCC in Aug. 2012. Their assigned mission was to maintain and improve the living conditions for soldiers who transitioned from Iraq through the Zone Six living quarters.

“We were responsible for keeping Zone Six operational and safe,” Mundfrom said. “We processed thousands of work orders.”

The soldiers of 1-34th BSTB also performed more than 1,200 minor repairs and provided billeting for more than 11,000 soldiers who transitioned through Zone Six.

Mundfrom said that his unit ran a good race and all soldiers must continue to do the things that made them successful during this deployment.

At the conclusion of his speech, Mundfrom turned the floor over to the incoming commander of the 140th Chemical Company.

“This transfer of authority represents the end of the CCC mission for the 1-34th BSTB,” said Maj. Orlando A. Cobos, commander, 140th Chemical Company, and San Diego, Calif. resident during his speech. “You have done amazing things here to support the troops. As we look around Zone Six, we see it well maintained and well managed, which is a direct result of the hard work, dedication and professionalism of the 1-34th BSTB.”

Towards the end of his speech, Cobos stated that 1-34th BSTB left enormous shoes to fill.

Cobos had nothing but good things to say about the 1-34th BSTB, his soldiers and the mission.

After Cobos’ speech the1-34th BSTB cased its colors before 140th Chemical Company uncased theirs, symbolizing the official transfer of authority.

“Today we assumed the mission, let’s fill the shoes,” said Cobos.

Under the banner of Third Army, the 140th Chemical Company will continue to shaping the future of the CCC by continuing the mission left by the 1-34th BSTB to ensure the operational security of transitioning soldier’s who will use Camp Arifjan’s Zone Six facilities.

• Date Taken: 04.19.2012
• Date Posted: 04.20.2012 10:01
• Story ID: 87039
• Location: CAMP ARIFJAN, KW