Former CSSB commander assumes leadership of ‘Knight’s Brigade’

Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Daniel Wyatt | The 18th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, a unit under the 16th Sustainment Command, renders a salute to the new brigade commander, Col. Michelle M.T. Letcher, during the pass in review, a tradition during a change of command ceremony. The change of command was held at Smith Barracks in Baumholder, Germany, June 16. The 16th Sustainment Brigade provides theater opening, sustainment and distribution support across the European Command, as well as to the Central and Africa Command regions. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Daniel Wyatt, 16th Sustainment Brigade Public Affairs, 21st Theater Sustainment Command)  

BAUMHOLDER, RP, GERMANY

06.16.2015

Story by 1st Lt. Hannah Morgan 

16th Sustainment Brigade

BAUMHOLDER, Germany – A former commander of the 18th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 16th Sustainment Brigade, took charge of U.S. Army Europe’s premier sustainment formation during a change of command ceremony held June 16 at Smith Barracks here.

Col. Michelle M.T. Letcher assumed command of the 16th Sustainment Brigade, 21st Theater Sustainment Command, from Col. J. Scott Murray amid traditional pomp and circumstance.

Maj. Gen. John R. O’Connor, the 21st TSC commanding general, presided over the ceremony. The CG put the 16th Sustainment Brigade’s mission as well as Murray’s tenure in perspective during his remarks.

“In the last year and a half, the superb command team of Scott and Tracy Murray guided the Knight’s Brigade to successfully execute countless sustainment missions in Europe and Africa, some with little to no notice,” O’Connor said.

“This brigade is arrayed against absolutely every mission in almost every allied and partner nation,” the CG added. “The 16th Sustainment Brigade provides logistical support to multinational exercises, including Atlantic and Combined Resolve, the Romanian Air Base Transit Center and Freedom Shock taskers, just to name a few.”

O’Connor also looked toward the future, welcoming Letcher and anticipating success going forward.

“Michelle Letcher is ready for this new opportunity,” he said, “And I know she will continue to find new and exciting ways to propel this unit to even higher levels of excellence. She brings a new energy and a difference perspective of logistical readiness to her job.”

Murray assumed command of the 16th Sustainment Brigade in December of 2013. During the colonel’s tenure, the brigade increased its support to USAREUR-directed missions and exercises, focusing on readiness and ability to rapidly respond to logistics requirements across Europe. It played an essential role in the establishment of a transit center at Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base, Romania and a controlled monitoring facility supporting returning Operation United Assistance personnel in Baumholder. The 16th Sustainment Brigade also plays an enduring support role in Atlantic Resolve as well as Dragoon Ride.

Letcher recently completed the Army War College’s fellowship program at the University of Texas at Austin and previously held leadership positions with the 3rd Infantry Division as well as the 16th Sustainment Brigade. She commanded the 18th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, based in Grafenwoehr, Germany, from October of 2011 through August of 2013.

The 16th Sustainment Brigade provides theater opening, sustainment and distribution support across the European Command, as well as to the Central and Africa Command regions.

• Date Taken: 06.16.2015
• Date Posted: 06.16.2015 09:50
• Story ID: 166775
• Location: BAUMHOLDER, RP, DE