Col. McLaughlin welcomes home the 570th TC DET

Photo By Capt. Fernando Ochoa | Capt. Phothong Chanthanivong, 570th Transportation Detachment commander, and Col. Steven McLaughlin, 311th Expeditionary Sustainment Command assistant chief of staff, G3, were in attendance during in a redeployment ceremony at the Sherman Oaks U.S. Army Reserve Center, Feb. 7.  

SHERMAN OAKS, CA, UNITED STATES

02.07.2015

Story by Capt. Fernando Ochoa 

311th Expeditionary Sustainment Command   

SHERMAN OAKS, Calif. – Col. Steven McLaughlin, 311th Expeditionary Sustainment Command assistant chief of staff, G3, welcomed home Capt. Phothong Chanthanivong and 18 members of the 570th Transportation Detachment, who returned from a six-month deployment to Afghanistan, during a redeployment ceremony at the Sherman Oaks U.S. Army Reserve Center, Feb. 7.

This movement control unit deployed to Shindand Air Base, located at Forward Operating Base Lightning in Western Afghanistan, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, where all cargo had to go through the Helmand province; a very dangerous area.

The mission of the 570th MCT was the movement control of personnel and materiel as well as the coordination of bulk fuel and water transportation at pipeline and production take-off points.

“Today ends the journey that began with months of training, deployment to Afghanistan and time away from your families,” said McLaughlin. “We honor you and thank you for your sacrifice and service to your country.”

The sky was cloudy over the San Fernando Valley, but the warm weather made the day comfortable for the families that attended.

During this deployment, the unit moved over 300 heavily armored vehicles, 1,500 pallets, 800 containers through fixed wing aircraft, 1.2 million tons of cargo, 100 million dollars worth of food, fuel and supplies through ground forces.

“I feel great that we accomplished a lot of goals, in particular being asked to close down a whole base,” said Chanthanivong. “I want to thank the families who supported our troops in the field.”

At the end of the ceremony, American flags were awarded to the returning Soldiers, who had served with pride.

The 570th TC DET suffered no losses and Chanthanivong was proud of the fact that they received 31 awards, including three Bronze Stars, 20 Army Commendation Medals and eight Army Achievement Medals.

The detachment, which consisted of 20 men and women, come from states as far as Arizona, Mississippi and Hawaii.

• Date Taken: 02.07.2015
• Date Posted: 02.10.2015 11:21
• Story ID: 154111
• Location: SHERMAN OAKS, CA, US