Photo By Spc. Rochelle Prince-Krueger | U.S. Army Lt. Col. Michael Waterman, left, and Command Sgt. Maj. Timothy White, the...... read more read more
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Virginia National Guard Soldiers with the 529th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion watched as their unit colors were cased, April 14, signifying the completion of their deployment and the beginning of their homeward journey to Virginia Beach, Virginia. A transfer of authority ceremony at Camp Buehring, Kuwait, was held to bid farewell to the ‘Cavaliers’ and welcome the ‘Pacesetters’ of 541st Combat Sustainment Support Battalion.
“The 529th lived up to its motto, ‘Slay the Beast’, by serving as the only CSSB in Kuwait for the past nine months,” said Col. Tony Coston, commander of the 3rd Sustainment Brigade. “They have quadrupled the sustainment capabilities of the battalion over their deployment.”
The command team of the ‘Cavaliers’ are Lt. Col. Michael Waterman, and Command Sgt. Maj. Timothy White. They have spearheaded more than 300 transportation missions, processed material release orders valued at $450 million, and delivered multiple successful airdrop missions including over 1000 bundles of humanitarian aid in Iraq just to name a few accomplishments. They went from having three subordinate units to nine, and then added five watercraft units to their ranks to make a total of 14 subordinate units currently serving under them.
“Adding the watercraft units wasn’t without some significant growing pains,” said Waterman, who wasn’t sure what to expect with the Army watercrafts having never been around them. “They have made us a better unit and it’s been an honor to command a great group of Soldiers.”
“We view the Army Watercraft units and capabilities as another form of distribution,” said Coston. “In just a couple months the 529th got all four vessels fully mission capable and delivered numerous of classes of supply throughout the Central Command area of responsibility.”
The ‘Cavaliers’ initiated their deployment at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, but expanded it to over ten locations in five countries, supporting five different operations simultaneously, while moving its headquarters to Camp Buehring, Kuwait.
“I would have to say our overall theme for this deployment is change in relation to our growth,” said Waterman, a native of Mediapolis, Iowa. “I am aware that nothing can get done without the Soldiers who make it all happen."
“To the truck drivers that ran convoys every day, to the mechanics who labored in the heat and cold to keep things running, to the Soldier-Mariners who spend weeks at a time at sea, to the riggers who jump up and make it happen with no notice, and to the Quartermasters who are training for a larger mission- words can never describe the level of gratitude I have for each of you,” he added.
The 541st CSSB is commanded by Lt. Col. Ron Anderson, and Command Sgt. Maj. Thomas Tricker, hail from Fort Riley, Kansas.
“It was clear that months ago Lt. Col Anderson and Command Sgt. Maj. Tricker would come in ready to go,” said Waterman. “You will all excel and build upon what we’ve started and make it even better.”
“The 541st are spot on their focus on providing sustainment, acting as professionals, caring for each other, and expanding partner capacity (PACE)” said Coston. “Your mission will be a complete success.”
| Date Taken: | 04.14.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 04.15.2015 08:50 |
| Story ID: | 160014 |
| Location: | CAMP BUEHRING, KW |
| Hometown: | FORT RILEY, KS, US |
| Hometown: | MEDIAPOLIS, IA, US |
| Hometown: | VIRGINIA BEACH, VA, US |
| Web Views: | 240 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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