FORT DRUM, NY -- Soldiers from the 10th Mountain Division, 10th Sustainment Brigade, 548th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 514th Support Maintenance Company case their colors during a ceremony held Sep. 13, 2019, in preparation for their upcoming deployment in support of Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR).
The ceremony symbolizes the start of the deployment. The colors will not be uncased until the transfer of authority takes place and the unit has assumed their position in theater.
The 514th SMC has a long and proud history of service to the nation and you are all ready to support the next chapter, said Lt. Col. Jason W. Schultz, the battalion commander of the 548th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion.
Capt. Luke Franklin, the commander of the 514th SMC, spoke about the many challenges that the "Titans" will face while being split between Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, Kuwait and Jordan.
"The Titans welcome the challenge," said Franklin. "As challenges are an opportunity for growth personally, professionally, as a unit and as individuals."
The 514th SMC will provide maintenance support for wheeled vehicles, recovery, armament and power generation.
Approximately 130 10th Sustainment Brigade Soldiers will replace the 183rd Support Maintenance Company, 68th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, Fort Carson, Colorado, according to Franklin.
Franklin offers final words of encouragement to his Soldiers before their departure.
"Ubdoubtedly, we have some hard days ahead of us," said Franklin. "But with those, plenty of opportunities to achieve greatness."