Photo By Adam Holguin | Command Sgt. Maj. Don Long, left, command sergeant major, 2208th MSB, passes the...... read more read more
Subscribe
FORT BLISS, Texas - Two mobilization support battalions, the 2206th and 2208th, U.S. Army Reserve, completed a year-long mission with the Mobilization and Deployment, Directorate of Plans, Training, Mobilization, and Security, providing support in all aspects of the mobilization and demobilization of more than 50,000 National Guard and Reserve Soldiers. Both battalions held a transfer of authority ceremony at the Stayton Theater, here Jan. 25, followed by a disestablishment ceremony Feb. 6, where the two units cased their colors alongside the 2207th Mobile Support Battalion.
“(2206th and 2208th MSBs) tackled an extremely complex mission and excelled at deploying and redeploying our most natural and precious resources and that’s our people and more specifically the Soldiers, civilians, contractors that support our military’s decisive Army,” said Lt. Col. Paul Stewart, executive officer, Fort Bliss Garrison Command.
MSBs have supported the Fort Bliss Mobilization and Demobilization missions since 2010, ensuring every unit and Soldier is taken care of by providing administrative, operational, logistic, life support and information management support, all while maintaining accountability.
As DPTMS makes the transition to regional support groups supporting the mobilization and demobilization mission, the 2218th and 2220th will be the last MSBs assisting the MaD Branch after taking command from the 2206th and 2208th MSBs.
“The mission of the Army Reserve is to provide training,” said Col. Walter Catlett, commander, 2nd Mobilization Support Group. “Readying individuals and units that mobilize or deploy in support of our military strategy.”
Throughout the post and McGregor Range, New Mexico, the MSBs ensured units deploying had training specifically geared to their military occupation specialty to prepare them for deployments.
“It’s a difficult mission and a job well done for the 2206th and 2208th,” Stewart said. “2218th and 2220th have some big shoes to fill, but from what I’ve seen you’re ready to go and got the energy to do this.”
During their tenure, the 2206th and 2208th MSBs left an imprint on the installation by improving the infrastructure of the buildings they occupied. This includes adding security and air conditioning to the Soldier Resilience and Readiness Center, up keeping buildings and facilities throughout McGregor Range, and developing an active shooter standard operating procedure.
“It’s been great working with the (staff of DPTMS) and (having the) opportunity to implement change and see (the change) happening from where we started and when we finished,” said Lt. Col. Michael Karns, commander, 2208th MSB.
In a majority of after action reports, multiple commanders have expressed their admiration for the streamlined mobilization and demobilization process, the facilities throughout Fort Bliss and McGregor Range, and training areas provided.
“I’m very excited about this mission, I always look forward to new challenges,” said Lt. Col. Kenneth Bryant, commander, 2218th MSB. “I brought an excellent crew of Soldiers and we’re looking forward to having great success.”
| Date Taken: | 02.18.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 02.23.2016 11:49 |
| Story ID: | 189793 |
| Location: | FORT BLISS, TEXAS, US |
| Web Views: | 238 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Two Reserve MSB Tours come to an end, colors cased, by Ismael Ortega, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
