143rd CSSB assumes command in Kuwait

Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Tina Eichenour | U.S. Army Lt. Col. Thomas Dennis and Command Sgt. Major Orlando Anderson uncase the 143rd Combat Sustainment Support Battalion colors, at the transfer of authority ceremony April 5, 2013, at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait. The 143rd took over the mission that 191st Combat Sustainment Support Battalion had preformed for nine months in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Tina R. Eichenour/Released  

CAMP ARIFJAN, KUWAIT

04.05.2013

Courtesy Story

38th Sustainment Brigade

Story by by Spc. Danielle Leach
143rd Combat Sustainment Support Battalion

CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait - The soldiers of the 191st Combat Sustainment Support Battalion finished the relief in place and transfer of authority with soldiers from the 143rd CSSB, before heading back home after their nine month deployment to Kuwait.

Connecticut Army National Guard’s 143rd, headquartered in Waterbury, took over the mission from the Army Reserve’s 191st, based out of Fort Douglas, Utah, at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, April 5. The 143rd will work in support of Operation Enduring Freedom under the 38th Sustainment Brigade.

Soldiers of the 191st trained their counterparts using a process called relief in place. The outgoing unit addressed key areas with the incoming unit such as equipment training, theater unique briefings, and key leader meetings to better prepare them for the mission. The time spent with the 191st gave soldiers from the 143rd a chance to see what their jobs will entail.

“The 191st CSSB was a very knowledgeable group and were well prepared for the hand off. I believe it all went smoothly and as a result, our unit is ready to take on the task at hand,” said Staff Sgt. Alicia Creighton, human resources assistant from Wolcott, Conn.

During the ceremony Lt. Col. James Groark, commander, and Command Sgt. Maj. Christopher Beyer, of the 191st, passed the mission responsibilities to Lt. Col. Thomas Dennis, commander, and Command Sgt. Maj. Orlando Anderson, of the 143rd.

“I would like to thank Lt. Col. Groark and his team for an excellent RIP,” said Dennis. "I want to take this opportunity to challenge the soldiers of the 143rd CSSB. Continue with the excellent work that the 191 has done. Do the best that you can and get better every day."

Command Sgt. Major Orlando Anderson said he feels his team is fully capable to take over their mission at Camp Arifjan.

“The 191st CSSB did excellent work over the past 9 months,” said Anderson. “As with all Connecticut Army National Guard units that have deployed over the past 10 years in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, the 143rd CSSB is fully prepared and ready for the mission at hand.”

• Date Taken: 04.05.2013
• Date Posted: 04.09.2013 07:21
• Story ID: 104845
• Location: CAMP ARIFJAN, KW
• Hometown: SALT LAKE CITY, UT, US
• Hometown: WATERBURY, CT, US