JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas (March 19, 2015) -- Soldiers from the 922nd Contingency Contracting Battalion cased their unit colors during a ceremony March 17 at the U.S. Embassy in Monrovia, Liberia, in preparation to return to Fort Campbell, Kentucky.
The ceremony signified the completion of the battalion's deployment to Liberia and support for Joint Force Command for Operation United Assistance, in which the Army supported the lead federal agency, U.S. Agency for International Development in West Africa, the U.S. State of Department, non-governmental organizations and the government of Liberia in response to the Ebola outbreak.
During the span of five months, the 922nd CCBn oversaw the procurement of more than 200 contracts, totaling more than $8 million in support for JFC's requirements. The unit also monitored the administration of the Logistics Civil Augmentation Program task order valued at more than $80 million. This task order provided basic life support for nearly 2,800 Service members and civilians. Additionally, the LOGCAP contractor built six of the 10 DOD-provided Ebola treatment units required across the West African nation.
Battalion officials said these treatment units provide essential capabilities to treat the Ebola virus and help stop its spread, and were mission critical, high-value assets without which the mission could not have been accomplished.
During the casing ceremony, Lt. Col. Robert McDonald, 922nd CCBn commander, congratulated the battalion's Soldiers on their outstanding contributions and highlighted the historic nature of the mission and its successful outcome.
"The outstanding results of this mission are a testament to our Army and this unit's overall competence, confidence and capability," McDonald said. "I couldn't be more proud of their efforts and sacrifice in pursuit of this most momentous endeavor."
During this mission, the unit faced the unprecedented challenge of confronting the Ebola virus, a disease that plagued the people in Liberia.
"The U.S. government and Army, in solidarity with the government of Liberia, and the international community turned the tides and brought back hope to a land that once lived in fear of an unseen enemy," McDonald said. "You know that your efforts made a true difference in this world. Be proud and count yourself among the few. When others ponder, 'What is life's purpose?' You know that you lived a life of purpose through your service and dedication to a noble cause greater than yourselves."
McDonald thanked the Soldiers and their families for their sacrifice and reminded them of the importance of their military occupational specialty by echoing the words of the Army Contracting Command commanding general's pro-deployment address: "Behind every piece of equipment and every mission the Army conducts, there is a contract." Finally, McDonald urged them to never forget how critical a role that contracting plays in the sustainment of our forces and the completion of the Army's mission.
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