Photo By Sgt. Tresa L. Allemang | "Task Force Twister's" commander and senior enlisted advisor, Col. Arlan M. Deblieck...... read more read more
CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq – After spending the past three months working alongside the 561st Regional Support Group from Omaha, Neb., the 199th Brigade Support Battalion, 256th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, uncased its colors and assumed the position of garrison command, during a transfer of authority ceremony on Camp Liberty in Baghdad, Iraq, June 6.
Commanded by Col. James B. Waskom of Abbeville, La.; Lt. Col. Marc Kelly of Deville, La.; and Command Sgt. Maj. William Migues of New Iberia, La., the Alexandria, La., unit learned only a few weeks before mobilizing to Camp Shelby, Miss., that they would be taking on this mission for the Victory Base Complex .
“The 199th was the obvious choice to assume the mission because of the overall make-up of the unit,” said Kelly, the GC deputy commander. “The BSB staff consists of a headquarters element, which provides command and control filled with logistical warriors.”
Kelly compared the new position to a state government. “The mission includes running and maintaining the VBC, which has the same complexities of a mid-sized city.”
“The 199th’s ‘Task Force Bullet,’ is composed of a variety of sections with specific jobs including a director of public works, director of logistics, director of security, plans and operations and several mayor cells to help mitigate issues and facilitate the installation as the conditions are set for the responsible reduction of U.S. Troops and equipment in Iraq,” Kelly explained.
“Keeping an installation of the size of VBC operating smoothly requires a lot of coordination, cooperation and partnership among many functional and operational organizations,” said 561st Commander Col. Arlan M. Deblieck, of Indianola, Iowa, as he thanked various partners for assisting with the mission during the outgoing garrison command’s tenure.
“You showed great patience as you waited for your turn to take the reins,” Deblieck said to the 199th.
Waskom thanked the 561st for their guidance and assistance in assuring that the Louisiana unit was prepared for the mission long before they arrived in Iraq. “The 561st sent three of their best to Camp Shelby, Miss., to ensure we knew what we were coming into, and that was invaluable.”
“These Soldiers helped rewrite the scenarios for our culminating training exercise, which we are living today,” Waskom said. “I thought the scenarios they came up with were a little far-fetched until we got here, but I have seen a myriad of various situations in just the short few months we have been here, and I am now grateful.”
The 561st Garrison Command, “Task Force Twister,” also command by Command Sgt. Maj. Michael W. Ploeger, of Ankeny, Iowa, was composed of approximately 120 Army Reserve Soldiers from 24 states across the U.S.
Truly fitting to its name, Deblieck said the task force was mixed together in a whirlwind in hopes that a competent organization would result. “You are a dream team,” he addressed to his Troops. “I have never witnessed a more unselfish group of professionals who fought so hard to create a cohesive team.”
“In a few short days, the task force that never was, will never be again, except in our hearts and fond memories,” he said as he thanked them for working together and making their mission successful.
A second deployment for the 199th, the Alexandria, La., headquartered unit deployed in 2004 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom III, as part of the 256th, and conducted full spectrum operations.
In January, approximately 3,400 Troops from Louisiana’s Tiger Brigade, and Virginia’s 1st Battalion, 116th Infantry Regiment, mobilized to Camp Shelby to conduct pre-deployment training in preparation to conduct force protection and convoy security missions to help set the conditions for the responsible draw down of U.S. Forces and equipment.
Soldiers from the 199th Brigade Support Battalion are currently spread throughout the multi-national coalition and attached to various other battalions to help ensure a successful mission. The Louisiana Soldiers are scheduled to return home around the end of the year.
| Date Taken: | 06.08.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 06.11.2010 09:52 |
| Story ID: | 51235 |
| Location: | CAMP LIBERTY, IQ |
| Web Views: | 444 |
| Downloads: | 151 |
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