BAUMHOLDER, Germany – The 55th Quartermaster Company, 16th Special Troops Battalion, held a ceremony Sept. 27, to formally activate their unit, which is also known as a Field Feeding Company.
The 55th QM Co. is the first Field Feeding Company in the European theater, and is part of the new Army Force Design Update (FDU), which consolidates culinary specialist and field feeding equipment into company teams.
“The company has eight, individually deployable, field feeding teams; capable of providing field feeding to support up to 700 personnel in one location or 300 personnel at two locations, supporting up to 4,900 personnel,” stated Capt. Kent R. Wiley, commander, 55th QM Co.
During the ceremony, Lt. Col. Barrcary J. Lane, commander, 16th Special Troops Battalion, 16th Sustainment Brigade, addressed the guest.
“Throughout history, leaders acknowledged the importance and logistical challenge of feeding its military,” Lane said. “Napoleon has been attributed to saying “An army marches on its stomach.”
Lane added, “55th QM Activation ceremony validates the U.S. Army recognizing the impact field feeding missions have to the success of units on the battlefield.”
He explained that in years past the Army’s lack of over 4,000 food service specialist, and the gap to provide field feeding area support has led to the decision to develop and activate Field Feeding Companies.
“The culinary warriors of the 55th Quartermaster will be able to provide support to Echelons Above Brigade operational forces in field or forward deploying environments as well as garrison DFACs (Dining Facilities),” said Lane.
Lane spoke a few words to the 55th QM command team, Capt. Wiley, and 1st Sgt. Lewmas Laurinaitis.
“Capt. Wiley and 1st Sgt. Laurinaitis, [Col. Scott Kindberg, commander,16th Sustainment Brigade] and I recognize that you have a complex mission to conduct field feeding at four separate DFACs geographically dispersed across Europe,” Lane said. “In addition, you are tasked to support all units in Europe conducting field training while growing your company’s organizational readiness. It is truly safe to say that you are building a plane while in flight.”
Since the unit activated, they have provided field feeding support to the 5th Battalion, 7th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, the 16th Special Troops Battalion, 44th Expeditionary Signal Battalion and the 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command.
“You are about to support 3rd CAB (Combat Aviation Brigade) and a multinational coalition during the upcoming RSOI (Reception, Staging, Onward Movement and Integration),” Lane said. “Kent and 1st Sgt., we truly have confidence that you can lead this team to greatness and win just as you did for the Vanguard Commander’s Cup.”
Lane concluded his speech by addressing the Soldiers of the 55th QM Co. proudly standing in formation.
“Soldiers of the 55th Quartermaster, hold your head high and be proud of the legacy that you are setting.” “It is unmatched by any other Field Feeding Company in the Army. Your reach, professionalism, and culinary skills will be respected and admired by all units that you encounter. So when I say, the best Field Feeding Company in the U.S. Army, I truly mean it.”