143rd Sustainment Battalion provides with pride

Photo By Staff Sgt. Michael Eaddy | Pfc. Nicoy Dennis, a petroleum specialist with 2nd General Support Aviation Battalion, 4th Combat Aviation Brigade, 4th Infantry Division from Fort Carson, Colorado, is interviewed by the public affairs office August 13, 2018. As a petroleum specialist, Pfc. Dennis takes part in the sustainment brigade's larger mission to supply over 180 units across Europe in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Michael Eaddy).  

POWIDZ, POLAND

08.15.2018

Story by Pfc. Christina Westover 

24th Theater Public Affairs Support Element

POWIDZ, Poland (August 15, 2018) -- Soldiers with the 143rd Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, an Army National Guard unit from Waterbury, Connecticut, are finishing up their deployment in support of Atlantic Resolve.

Across Europe there is a mixture of deployed active duty, reserve and National Guard units that are used to enhance deterrence capabilities, increase ability to respond to potential crises and defend our allies and partners in the European community.

"I like the way the National Guard, the Army Reserve and active duty are all working together," said Maj. Ty Gorham, the supply operations officer for the 143rd CSSB. "It expands us, it helps us to grow as an organization. Each component brings something different to the table. When we utilize those strengths that everyone has, ultimately we get better as a whole."

The Soldiers in the 143rd have spent a rigorous nine months supporting over 180 units across Europe with fuel, potable drinking water, food, and parts needed to complete their individual missions.

"So far, during this deployment, we have set the theatre to streamline commodities," said Gorham. "We have participated in two major exercises, supporting approximately 18,000 personnel involved."

The unit was the primary sustainment battalion and set the standard for future operations.

"In my opinion, sustainment brigades are the backbone of the Army," said Pfc. Nicoy Dennis, a petroleum specialist with the 2nd General Support Aviation Battalion, 4th Combat Aviation Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, attached to the 143rd CSSB. "We provide whatever is needed to whomever we support; fuel, ammunition, resources, mechanics, et cetera."

Sustainment Soldiers at the SSA work hard to manage distribution points for Atlantic Resolve. The SSA’s primary mission is to receive, process and issue individual equipment, repair parts, and major end items to the individual units needing the equipment.

“We are always busy, always moving,” said Sgt. Martika Mccallister, a section issue supply sergeant for the SSA. “There are customers that come in to pick up parts and we have to make sure the parts are consolidated and ready before loading and verify all of the paper work; that way, it’s fast and efficient and we send them on their way.”

As the countdown for home is getting nearer, the 143rd is preparing to hand over responsibility to the incoming unit; that means working together to do inventories of equipment and training on the mission at hand to ensure a smooth transition for the incoming sustainment battalion.

Sustainment units may be overlooked by many, but their hard work and dedication to help accomplish the mission is needed in today's fast-paced Army.

"We may be the guys behind the scenes," said Dennis. "But we keep the aircraft in the air, the guns blazing, and keep the Soldiers healthy and ready to fight another day."

• Date Taken: 08.15.2018
• Date Posted: 08.22.2018 10:43
• Story ID: 289794
• Location: POWIDZ, PL