135th transferred authority to 143d for 1st TSC-OCP

CAMP ARIFJAN, KUWAIT

04.27.2018

Story by Staff Sgt. Charlotte Reavis 

143d Sustainment Command (Expeditionary)

CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait – On Apr. 27, the outgoing 135th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) relinquished their command of the 1st Theatre Sustainment Command-Operational Command Post to the incoming 143d Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) during a transfer of responsibility ceremony at Camp Arifjan.
“We could not, in the 1st Theater Sustainment Command or United States Army Central Command, do what we do, day in and day out, if it was not for the rotational ESCs,” said Maj. Gen. Flem B. “Donnie” Walker, the commanding general of the 1st Theater Sustainment Command.
Walker said he was honored to be the officiate of the ceremony and that both the 135th and 143d showcase and continue to provide vital contributions of Army National Guard and Army Reserve forces in support of the warfighters across Central Command.
“Today we gather for the transition of authority between these two Expeditionary Sustainment Commands,” he said. “They are the only ESCs in the whole Army who are actually doing their doctrinal mission, and that is serving in a forward operational command post for a theater sustainment command, as an ESC was designed to do.”
Walker talked about the 135th during their 9-month rotation in theater, stating they have amassed a staggering list of accomplishments in their short rotation. He said the 135th had mission command of nearly ten thousand assigned personnel, assigned to 60 units. They issued and provided management for 48 million meals, provided 450 million gallons of fuel across 34 fuel sites, and supplied 1.1 million pounds of net explosive weight.
He went on to list several other major engagements and accomplishments of the 135th during their command of the 1TSC-OCP and that he and Command Sgt. Maj. Willett are very proud of the magnificent accomplishments of Brig. Gen. Cannon and Command Sgt. Maj. Griffin and their professional team of soldiers.
“It seemed like yesterday we were just uncasing the colors,” said Brig. Gen. Sylvester Cannon, the commander of the 135th ESC. “It is a bittersweet moment because the great soldiers of the 135th have worked extremely hard to achieve as much as they have achieved since last August.”
Cannon described some of the accomplishments of the 135th during their deployment and commended the soldiers for their hard work, commitment and dedication to the mission.
“I am extremely proud of the soldiers of the 135th for ensuring mission success for every task in every region,” Cannon said. “As we transition out, we want to welcome Brig. Gen. Kotulich, Command Sgt. Maj. Lopes and the soldiers of the 143d ESC. “You have trained hard and there is no doubt that you are ready to assume this mission.”
Brig. Gen. Deborah Kotulich, the commanding general for the 143d ESC and now commanding general for the 1st TSC-OCP also spoke during the ceremony and as the unit colors were uncased, she said that her team is ready to ‘take the field’ from the 135th and continue their hard work and legacy.
Kotulich thanked the 135th for giving her soldiers the tools and information they need to proceed with the mission and said the 143d will be forever grateful for their time and efforts.
“Members of the 143d, this is a moment to be remembered. Every single one of you knows that you are now part of something bigger,” Kotulich said. “You are a part of the ‘First Team’ and a no fail mission to provide uninterrupted responsive sustainment support to the units throughout this
CJOA (Combined Joint Operations Area).”
The transfer of authority ceremony ended with the retiring of the colors and the Army song, with both units singing in unison.
“Although we bid farewell to the great command team of a superb organization; as you heard me say earlier, the Army’s got a deep bench and as the song says, the Army keeps rolling along,” Walker said. “I am happy to welcome another great team from the great state of Florida.”

• Date Taken: 04.27.2018
• Date Posted: 04.29.2018 11:52
• Story ID: 274962
• Location: CAMP ARIFJAN, KW
• Hometown: BIRMINGHAM, AL, US
• Hometown: ORLANDO, FL, US