FORT CARSON, Colo. (Dec. 20, 2013) -- Unit colors for the 918th Contingency Contracting Battalion were uncased for the first time during an activation ceremony here Dec. 13.
Lt. Col. Christopher Ostby assumed command of the battalion during the activation ceremony. He comes to Fort Carson, Colo., after serving as an assignment officer for the U.S. Army Human Resources Command's Acquisition Management Branch.
Col. Timothy A. Starostanko, commander of the 418th Contracting Support Brigade at Fort Hood, Texas, welcomed Ostby and his family, adding he believes the Army and, more importantly, the Army Acquisition Corps got it right by selecting Ostby to command the battalion.
"Chris, you are the right leader at the right time for the 918th CCBN," Starostanko said.
Ostby thanked those that made the transition easy for him and his family.
"It's a great day to be a Soldier," he said. "I am truly honored and humbled to be selected for this unique, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. To be the first commander of an activating battalion truly is an honor and great privilege."
In 2008, the Army Contracting Command began activating contingency contracting battalions in support of warfighters on Army installations around the world. In 2013, as part of the ongoing reshaping effort, ACC began integrating contingency contracting battalions from the Expeditionary Contracting Command with the Mission and Installation Contracting Command at various warfighting installations.
The 918th CCBN is the newest modular, deployable contracting battalion fully integrated with the MICC. The battalion consists of three modular contingency contracting teams: the 602nd Senior Contingency Contracting Team and 616th Contingency Contracting Teams.
The battalion, along with MICC-Fort Carson, will train and deploy in support of contingency operations and plans, and execute world-class contracting operations in support of Fort Carson, Pueblo Chemical Depot and Piñon Canyon Maneuver Site.
Ostby said he cannot wait to take charge of his new team.
"I do anticipate there will be many first experiences between us, and, with that, I look forward to working with each one of you and sharing future successes together," he said. "We may be small in numbers, but we are great in deeds."
Headquartered at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston, Texas, the MICC is responsible for providing contracting support for the warfighter at Army commands, installations and activities located throughout the continental United States and Puerto Rico. In fiscal 2013, the command executed more than 43,000 contract actions worth more than $5.3 billion across the Army, including more than $2.1 billion to American small businesses. The command has also managed more than 780,000 Government Purchase Card Program transactions this fiscal year valued at an additional $880 million.
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