Written by Sgt. 1st Class Mary Rose Mittlesteadt
101st Sustainment Brigade, 101st Airborne Division (AA) Public Affairs
Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan – A ceremony was held to denote the transfer of authority of sustainment operations and retrograde support at Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan, June 8th.
Task Force Durable, headquartered by 1st Sustainment Brigade from Fort Riley, KS, cased its colors as Task Force Lifeliners, headquarter by the 101st Sustainment Brigade from Fort Campbell, KY, unfurled its colors during the ceremony. The task force provides sustainment to Soldiers and retrograde support throughout the Regional Commands: East, North and Capital.
Col. Brian Tempest, commander of the 1st Sustainment Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, highlighted Task Force Durable’s formation and accomplishments from its tour during the ceremony.
“Throughout the previous nine months the Task Force Durable formation encompassed over 5,500 soldiers, sailors, airman, Department of the Army civilians and contractors.”
He applauded his task force by acknowledging accomplishments including, 3,500 convoy escort missions where his formations traversed thousands of miles to support the sustainment and retrograde missions throughout the regional commands.
For Task Force Durable’s soldiers, the ceremony marked the end of a long journey, but for Task Force Lifeliner soldiers this is the acceptance of a new challenge.
Col. Charles Hamilton, commander of the 101st Sustainment Brigade, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), closed the ceremony with gratitude to his predecessor and welcomed the new challenge for his team as they take on Task Force Durables previous mission.
“I want to give a big thanks to the 1st Sustainment Brigade, they have set us up for success,” said Hamilton. “The lifeliners are committed to supporting the troops and ensure our soldiers have everything they need. We are ready to execute our next rendezvous with destiny.”
