MUSTANG, Okla. - Laughter and chatter filled the halls while sighs and smiles were expressed in the same breath, as former members of the 1345th Transportation Company reminisced on past memories.
Oklahoma Army National Guard Soldiers assigned to the 345th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion and Soldiers formerly assigned to 1345th Transportation Company gathered Saturday, Sept. 8, to case their unit colors, denoting the unit's official end of command at the Armed Forces Reserve Center in Mustang, Oklahoma.
The 1345th Transportation Company was federally recognized and organized in the Oklahoma Army National Guard Feb. 1, 1968, as a light/medium truck unit under the 245th Transportation Battalion, which later became the 345 Corps Support Battalion, Ardmore, Oklahoma. The unit gained notoriety early on, training and assisting prison guards during the 1973 McAlester prison riot. In 1990, they deployed in support of Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm, earning a Meritorious Unit Commendation.
“I’m sad to see 1345th case the colors, but I’ll never forget my experiences with the unit,” said Chief Warrant Officer 2 Daniel Metzger, a battalion maintenance officer currently assigned to the 700 Brigade Support Battalion. “It was my honor to deploy to Iraq with such professionals. I carry the lessons learned from outstanding leadership with me today.”
In 1996, the unit was split and re-designated as the 1245th Transportation Company and the 1345th Transportation Company moved to Midwest City, Oklahoma. During this transition in 1999, members of the unit activated in support of the May 3rd tornado that devastated parts of Moore and south Oklahoma City.
The 1345th Transportation Company, as it is known today, was officially federally recognized on March 30, 2000. In 2003 and 2006, the unit mobilized in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. The unit also deployed in 2016 in support of Operations Inherent Resolve and Spartan Shield.
In addition to multiple combat deployments, the 1345th Transportation Company supported numerous state active duty missions, such as the 2000 drought and 2007 blizzard. In 2005, the unit was assigned as the state quick reactionary force and earned the Army Superior Unit Award for its efforts while responding to Hurricane Katrina.
“The Soldiers of 1345th proved themselves fully capable of completing and executing missions that ranged from annual training events, such as Operation Patriot Bandolier (in 2015 and 2017), to combat deployments,” said Sgt. 1st Class Jennifer Gonzales, resource manager assigned to the Oklahoma National Guard Recruiting and Retention Battalion.
The outgoing unit will be replaced by a law enforcement unit in the future. In recent months Soldiers from the unit transferred to various units throughout the state. Many were reassigned to the 1245th Transportation Company as a temporary home.
“Losing a 160-man formation… it’s bitter sweet,” stated Lt. Col. Steve Cheadle, commander of the 345th CSSB. “Soldiers from 1345th will take their experience and training to different flagpoles, showing that they are well trained and can utilize their skills in various formations.”