FORT CARSON, Colo. – Approximately 130 Soldiers with the 183rd Support Maintenance Company, 68th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 4th Sustainment Brigade, 4th Infantry Division returned home Tuesday, October 15 from their nine month deployment. The homecoming ceremony was held at the William “Bill” Reed Special Events Center, where friends and family gathered to celebrate the occasion.
The 183rd SMC deployed in February 2019 in support of Operation Inherent Resolve in the United States Central Command area of responsibility. Their mission was to provide support to the Virginia National Guard’s Virginia Beach-based 529th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion
“The 183rd was responsible for a very large and versatile mission,” said Capt. Tyler Fortenberry, commander, 183rd Support Maintenance Company, 68th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 4th Sustainment Brigade, 4th Infantry Division. “We deployed with 134 Soldiers, but were responsible for managing over 250 Soldiers from around the different battalions within the Sustainment Brigade. They were tasked with tracking, issuing, and receiving every class of supply in support of U.S. Special Forces, Allied Forces from around the world, and Iraqi Armed Forces.”
The 134 “Battle Wrench” Soldiers were spread out over 13 different locations in five countries.
“We were in Syria, Iraqi, Afghanistan, Kuwait and Jordan providing fleet maintenance, logistics and fixing weapons,” said Sgt. Geovany Mejia, supply sergeant, 183rd Support Maintenance Company, 68th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 4th Sustainment Brigade, 4th Infantry Division. “Only a handful of those locations had dedicated wrench-turners, whereas the others had civilian contractors filling those positions. So our Soldiers had to learn and adapt to a new mission set than they had previously executed.”
Despite the complex mission requirements the Soldiers provided critical maintenance to help facilitate mission success.
“Our mission was large and it had a huge impact on the current operations,” Fortenberry said. “We came in to a dwindling maintenance program and left with 40% increase in the operational readiness rate of the brigade’s equipment. So I would say that our company’s presence had a massive impact on the mission.”
After being separated from their families for nine months, the Soldiers are excited to return home.
“I’m super excited to be back in Colorado and be able to spend time with my wife,” Mejia said. “I can’t wait to go snowboarding and eat some fresh sushi. Then we’ll take a trip to go visit my family.”
Captain Fortenberry was impressed by the hard work and dedication of his Soldiers.
“I have great leaders in this company and it shows because we are coming home with no accidents or fatalities, and no administrative actions” said Fortenberry. “We crushed any task thrown our way and did it with a smile. I couldn’t be more proud of the company’s performance.”
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