257th Movement Control Battalion Transfers Authority to 313th MCB

Photo By Sgt. Ryan Scribner | U.S. Army Soldiers with the 257th Movement Control Battalion, Task Force Gator, pose for a group photo prior to a ceremony in which they transfer authority to the 313th MCB, held at the Morale, Welfare and Recreation Theater on Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, March 30, 2023. The MCB is a subordinate battalion of the 369th Sustainment Brigade, Task Force Hellfighter, New York Army National Guard, providing sustainment operations in the CENTCOM area of operations. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Spc. Ryan Scribner)  

CAMP ARFIJAN, KUWAIT

03.29.2023

Story by Staff Sgt. Sebastian Rothwyn 

369th Sustainment Brigade

The 257th Movement Control Battalion, Task Force Gator, cased their colors and the 313th Movement Control Battalion, Task Force Raven, uncased their colors during a transfer of authority (TOA) ceremony held in the Morale, Welfare and Recreation Theater on Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, March 30, 2023.

The ceremony signified the end of the duties and responsibilities of the 257th MCB, Task Force Gator, commanded by U.S. Army Lt. Col. Charles Griswold III, and the assumption of those duties and responsibilities by the 313th MCB, Task Force Raven, commanded by Lt. Col. Diane Moncrief.

In attendance were distinguished guests Brig. Gen. Maria Juarez, commanding general of the 143rd Expeditionary Sustainment Command and Command Sgt. Maj. Ricardo Saunders, command sergeant major of the 143rd ESC.

Col. Seth Morgulas, commander of the 369th Sustainment Brigade, conducted the transfer of authority ceremony.

Morgulas said that the Soldiers of the 257th have been a tremendous force multiplier and incredibly valuable teammates.

"I cannot express strongly enough how much I have valued your friendship, camaraderie and most of all your thorough and professional expertise," he said to the Gators.

Morgulas said that the 257th MCB was the smallest task force in the brigade with a little over 3 hundred Soldiers who left their mark in the CENTCOM area of operations as a fixture in theater for the last nine months: with six units in eight countries and 18 locations, touching almost every piece of equipment and class of supply.


The MCB's contributions include the seamless movement of over 50,000 pieces of cargo using over 20,000 contracted and 4000 military lifts.

Morgulas said that the direct involvement of the Gators with host nation support has led to continued outstanding relationships with our Kuwaiti partners. Additionally, they were directly responsible for the success of a historic first transport of cargo by U.S. Army vehicles between Israel and Jordan during the Juniper series of exercises.

The Juniper series was designed to improve coordination between the U.S. and Israeli militaries and was conducted as part of a strategic agreement between the USCENTCOM and the IDF to hold annual training exercises. The MCB provided key logistics support to their fellow joint service members required to sustain operations throughout the bilateral military exercise.

The 257th MCB cased their colors and will return to the U.S. after about 10 months deployed.

Lt. Col. Griswold, commander of the 257th, said that nine months ago they fought through many obstacles to get to theater because they were committed to succeed as a team and performed admirably ever since, exceeding all expectations; with which he gave them his sincere gratitude.

He said that they earned the trust of their leadership, ensured assets were properly allocated across multiple countries, saved the Army an estimated $4.3 million, and established themselves as the go-to experts in movement by land, sea and air. Every section was integral to success, and he took the time to mention and thank them all.

The 313th MCB uncased their colors as they begin their new mission.

Casing and uncasing colors is a military tradition that originated centuries ago so Soldiers on the battlefield could recognize and follow their units into battle.

Morgulas said that the mission of the 257th was absolutely vital to the success of sustainment in the CENTCOM AOR and he had the confidence that the 313th would continue the work of the Gators and build upon it.

"The last days of the deployment can be among the most challenging, but not when friends, teammates and battle buddies look after each other," said Morgulas. "You will be missed but I look forward to working with you again no matter what the future brings."

Lt. Col. Moncrief, commander of the 313th, kept her remarks brief and effective. She thanked the Gators for making the transition easy and let everyone know they were ready to take on the mission.

• Date Taken: 03.29.2023
• Date Posted: 04.01.2023 09:55
• Story ID: 441695
• Location: CAMP ARFIJAN, KW
• Hometown: BALTIMORE, MD, US
• Hometown: GAINESVILLE, FL, US