United States Army Expeditionary Contracting Command Afghanistan (ECC) Transfer of Authority from 410th Contracting Support Brigade to 419th Contracting Support Brigade

AFGHANISTAN

04.10.2016

Courtesy Story

10th Mountain Division

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan, April 10, 2016— Service members from the 419th Contracting Brigade, Fort Bragg, North Carolina, completed their ten day transition plan by officially assuming command of U.S. Army Expeditionary Contracting Command from the 410th Contracting Brigade, Fort Sam Houston, Texas, during a transfer of authority ceremony at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan.
The mission of the U.S. Expeditionary Contracting Command Afghanistan is to plan, resource and execute contracting support for all U.S. forces within Afghanistan in support of operations Freedom Sentinel and Resolute Support.
Brigadier General, Michael D. Hoskin, Commander of the United States Army Expeditionary Command, presided over the ceremony as both Coalition and U.S. service members looked on during the official casing of the 410th CSB Colors and the uncasing of the 419th CSB Colors by Command Sergeants Majors Charles Williams and Elicier Quintero. The uncasing of the colors marked the official moment when Colonel Carol Tschida, commander of the 419th, relieved Colonel Rick Harger of the 410th, as the commander of the United States Army Expeditionary Contracting Command, Afghanistan.
“Today marks a critical change in leadership and responsibility from one of the most important commands within USFOR-A. The responsibility and oversight that the ECC has over thousands of contracts is critical in ensuring the right services are provided to U.S. forces in their support of Operation Freedom Sentinel and Resolute Support,” said USFOR-A, Deputy Commander Support, Major General Jeffery L. Bannister.
Harger spoke of the nine month journey he has experienced here as being part of the U.S. support to the NATO mission here in Afghanistan.
“This command, and being part of such a great group of service members, contractors and civilians has been the highlight of my career,” said Harger. “Everyone coming together, regardless of background and or individual job to accomplish one goal- support the forces out there conducting the train, advise, and assist mission and continuing to help the Afghan government and security forces grow in capability and capacity.”
“We are here today in support of Operation Freedom’s Sentinel, supporting U.S. forces, NATO, and our other coalition partners in their efforts to advance Afghanistan’s stability,” said Bannister, 10th MD, Light Infantry commanding general, said. “Together, we accept the mission that lies ahead, and we vow to strengthen the work of those that have come before us – especially those that have paid the ultimate sacrifice for the future of this nation.”

• Date Taken: 04.10.2016
• Date Posted: 04.11.2016 04:04
• Story ID: 194973
• Location: AF